A Family Biography.

Richard and Cheryl Garey married in 2003 and have four children. The couple met in 2001 while serving in the US Army together—Rich as an Infantryman and Cheryl as a Blackhawk Helicopter pilot. In 2011 their son Jack, then four years old, was diagnosed with autism. With this diagnosis their family was introduced to the community of families, caregivers, and providers of special needs children and young adults. The Garey family experienced firsthand the difficulties and challenges confronting these families. Although many resources exist to assist their son and other special needs children, a gap persists in continuity, collaboration, specialists, and spaces where these children and their families feel comfortable and accepted.

Rich retired from the Army in 2019 after more than 22 years of active service, and the family moved to the small suburban town of Lima, NY where Rich grew up. Cheryl works as a Registered Nurse at the Golisano Children's Hospital and Rich serves as a local Fire Chief and EMT volunteer. Recently, their desire to help the special needs community and their families blossomed into the concept of a dedicated community structured to meet the unique needs of this population. Such a community would provide the essential care and services these children and young adults need to thrive and grow to their full potential, in an environment where they are fully accepted.