PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Eric Williams has been serving the autism community in the Philadelphia region for 20 years. He started the nonprofit Project Elijah Empowering Autism (PEEA) in 2004, named after his son who was diagnosed at the age of 3.
“Back then, there wasn’t any kind of resources for individuals with autism, let alone in a Black and brown community,” he said.
He knew nothing about operating a nonprofit, but as a dad looking for resources, he hit the ground running.
“I just did a survey asking families, ‘If I started some programs, not even knowing what the programs are about, would you be interested in attending?’ I had to take a holistic and patient approach.”
PEEA hosts free year-round educational and recreational programs for families living with autism in under-resourced communities. He said it’s been a blessing seeing some of the families that have been with the organization since its inception.
“To see them as little people, young people [grow] to adults with jobs and furthering their education and just being able to have that glimmer of hope still, and then trust PEEA over the journey — because that’s what makes the journey fresh and new every day.”
He remembered one of those young people, who was nonverbal, once lovingly tackled him in a store. Williams had coached him in basketball for six years.
“The young man, he started to say, ‘Hey, Coach Eric.’ And when I got off the bear hug, I was like, wait,” he recalled. “His mom was just amazed because this kid has never spoken. All the years that I’ve been working with him — he just looked at me and I was wondering if I am getting through.”
Williams said it wasn’t always easy, and oftentimes the programs he organized in the early years were not fully attended, but he kept on, inspired by the words of his mother.
“My mom told me years ago, ‘You can’t go off of how many people show up. But you got to be ready, because the flock is coming.’ That’s what continues to drive me.”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2024 honorees here.