Pine Castle, one of Northeast Florida’s leading agencies that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), recently announced the end of their Luminary Program by transitioning operations to trusted community partner, Jacksonville School for Autism.
For almost 30 years, Pine Castle has produced and packed more than 100,000 individual Luminary Kits for individuals, families and neighborhoods across Jacksonville and the surrounding communities.
With special appearances over the years at the Riverside Avondale Preservation’s annual Luminaria Celebration, THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass and outside of countless homes from partners at the Women’s Network of Jacksonville Golf and Country Club, Better Homes and Garden and Berkshire Hathaway, the organization takes immense pride in its long history of bringing light and joy to the community through their Luminary Kits.
While Pine Castle’s time producing and selling Luminary Kits has come to an end to make room for new opportunities for the organization and its participants, they have chosen to pass the proverbial luminaria flame onto a fellow I/DD-serving organization, Jacksonville School for Autism.
“We are excited to partner with Jacksonville School for Autism,” said Lori Ann Whittington, Pine Castle’s chief executive officer. “JSA had already started their own Luminary Program a few years ago, and with our organizations’ mutual desire to support individuals with differences, we are thrilled to have them take over this beloved program.”
Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA) is a not-for-profit private school dedicated to helping individuals with autism reach their full potential through individualized education, therapy and life skills training.
Founded in 2005 by Michelle and Mark Dunham for their son Nick, JSA has grown from a personal mission into a thriving community serving children and young adults across Northeast Florida. The school offers an academic, behavioral, and social skills program tailored to each student, from early childhood through adulthood. JSA integrates Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and occupational therapy, functional academics and vocational training to support the whole child.
To learn more about JSA, go to jsakids.org
“JSA is honored to continue this long-standing tradition established by Pine Castle,” remarked Michelle Dunham, Jacksonville School for Autism’s founder and executive director. “As JSA embarks on its 21st school year, we are excited for this opportunity to establish the Luminary Kit project as a core micro-enterprise for our STEP (Supportive Transition & Enrichment Program) students.”
Luminary Kits will now be assembled by JSA students with I/DDs, helping them learn and practice physical and cognitive skills that will set them up for success in the future. Just as before, each kit contains everything needed to create 12 beautiful Luminaria (including white bags, votive candles and sand) that will bring light and warmth during those colder winter months.
To learn more about JSA’s Luminary program and purchase your kit, go to jsakids.org/fundraisers/light-up-autism-luminary-project.
With a legacy spanning more than 70 years, Pine Castle has been a steadfast advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), fostering growth and inclusivity throughout its rich history. As an organization, Pine Castle serves and empowers its participants through opportunities to learn, work and connect.
The organization has helped pioneer the philosophy that individuals with IDD have the right to live full and productive lives and envision a community where they can achieve their potential for independence.
Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA) is a not-for-profit private school dedicated to helping individuals with autism reach their full potential through individualized education, therapy and life skills training.
Founded in 2005 by Michelle and Mark Dunham for their son Nick, JSA has grown from a personal mission into a thriving community serving children and young adults across Northeast Florida.
JSA provides a comprehensive program designed to meet the unique needs of each student and embraces a whole-child approach to education — integrating Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and occupational therapy, functional academics and vocational training into their curriculum.
