A Dream Realized

By Julie Duffin
May 2021 View more Naperscene

After moving into the 34,000-square-foot Naperville Sun building in 2013 with five students, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation (turningpointeautismfoundation.org) had big dreams to provide education support for children and young adults, The vision was to gradually convert the building into a place that could grow with their program to support those with autism. Since then, the nonprofit has worked diligently to raise funds and build out the rest of the space. With construction now complete, the facility features 10 classrooms, an occupational therapy gym, an assessment room, three sensory rooms, a lunchroom, a staff workroom, and a clinician nook.

Executive director Carrie Provenzale has witnessed the building’s metamorphosis since the beginning and is thrilled about how well the project has turned out. “There is a great need for schools like Turning Pointe in our community,” she says. When the final classroom opens, the nonprofit school will be serving nearly 70 elementary children. “It’s wonderful to be a part of such an ambitious, compassionate organization,” she says, “and to provide a school that is really doing it well and offers the most dignity and respect to our friends. It’s a joyful place for the kids to learn.”

Photos courtesy Turning Pointe Autism