ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day

Fundraising Team

Team bELIeve

Current Team Members:: 110

Donate Join

$17,228

Raised of $16,000

Story

Only 44% of Virginians with disabilities are employed, compared to 78% of those without disabilities. For parents raising adult children on the autism spectrum, that statistic is more than sobering — it’s personal. Employment isn’t just a paycheck. It’s independence, belonging, and purpose.

Last spring, Eli graduated from his year-long internship at Memorial Regional Hospital through Project SEARCH. During that year, he worked in the IVCU unit, Cath Lab, Wound Care, Ambulatory Surgery Unit and Outpatient Infusion Clinic. He built job skills, confidence, and independence (although he still insists sweeping floors is not his calling!).

Today, I’m thrilled to share that Eli is one of the 44% who are employed. He works four days a week at Autumn Care, a nursing and senior care facility, in the environmental services department. He has a job he’s proud of. He reserves his transportation each morning, packs his lunch, and wakes up independently. He has coworkers who value him and residents that appreciate his joyful personality. He has purpose and a paycheck. As a parent, there are few gifts greater than seeing your child succeed and be proud of their own accomplishments.

But here’s the truth: outcomes like Eli’s don’t happen by accident. They happen because of many years of therapy, countless dedicated teachers, continued community support, strong advocacy, and organizations like the Autism Society of Central VA that support and provide programs for our children and families.

I am honored to serve again as the Chair of the ASCV Board. This organization has been deeply personal to me for years, just as it is for so many families in our community. Last year alone, ASCV provided 461 programs serving more than 11,200 participants and supported 786 members. ASCV also removed financial barriers by providing over $40,200 in scholarships so families could participate in programs. These numbers represent real families like ours- families navigating diagnoses, school systems, adulthood, employment, and everything in between.

We cannot continue this important work without you! Please join me in ensuring ASCV can keep providing vital programs and services for the Richmond autism community. Every dollar raised stays right here in the greater Richmond area, making a direct and meaningful impact on families like mine. Together, we can ensure that every individual on the autism spectrum has the opportunity to thrive at school, at work, and in life.

Here is how you can support:
Make an online donation to ASCV through Jennifer Barnum – Team bELIeve- Jennifer Barnum - ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day
Join Team bELIeve on Saturday, May 16 in Innsbrook North Shore Commons- Team bELIeve - ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day

With gratitude,

Jennifer & Nathan Barnum

Recognitions

View All Recognitions

$1,000 from Anonymous

$1,000 donated by The Flicks

$500 from Anonymous

$500 donated by Ed Atkins

$500 in support of Eli!!

$500 donated by Kelly Simmers

$400 from Anonymous

$300 donated by Lynda Snyder

$300 from Anonymous

$250 donated by Courtney Applewhite

$250 donated by Darlene Blaum

$250 donated by Elizabeth Sullivan

$250 from Anonymous

$250 donated by Kathy Burcher

$250 donated by Keith Baughan

$250 donated by Mackenzie Van Natta

$250 donated by The Wicichowski Family

$250 donated by wendy atkinson

$250 donated by William Perkins

$200 donated by Brandy Palmer

$200 donated by David Russell

$200 donated by Gordon Morris

$200 donated by Murphy Reedy

$150 from Anonymous

$150 donated by Emily Loach

$150 donated by Johnny Doane

$150 donated by Noah Benjamin Miller

$150 donated by Shirley Flickinge

$125 from Anonymous

$101 donated by James OConnell

$100 from Anonymous

$100 donated by Alison Loughran

$100 donated by Ann Lambert

$100 donated by Anna Aldridge

$100 donated by Anne Dodson

$100 donated by Anne Pawlik

$100 donated by Ashley Huffman

$100 donated by Autumn Harbour

$100 in honor of Barry Glenn

$100 in support of Carlos Rivas

$100 donated by Chris Marett

$100 donated by Deborah Carlton

$100 in support of Eli Barnum

$100 in honor of Eli Barnum

$100 donated by Ellen Bradley

$100 donated by Erica Knight

$100 donated by Gini Jones

$100 donated by Haley Patrick

$100 donated by Heather Edwards

$100 donated by Jason Hodges

$100 donated by Jess Johnson

$100 donated by Jonathan Fischer

$100 donated by Kathy Van Natta

$100 donated by Kelley Handshaw

$100 donated by Kelly Shingleton

$100 donated by Krisanne Terrell

$100 donated by Kylie Sullivan

$100 donated by Larson Ashworth

$100 donated by Lauren & Emma Hannah

$100 donated by Margie Elliott

$100 donated by Mark Partridge

$100 donated by Mark Pope

$100 donated by Mary Kusek

$100 donated by Maureen Birken

$100 donated by Meghan Maurer

$100 donated by Michele Smoot

$100 donated by Patty Unknown

$100 donated by Pyramid Roofing Matching Gift

$100 donated by Rebecca Coulehan

$100 donated by Renita Like

$100 donated by Robin Gardner

$100 in honor of Sarah Savedge

$100 donated by Shelly Bailey

$100 donated by Stephanie Kim

$100 donated by Susan Chenault

$75 donated by Nicholas Kent

$72 donated by Jessica Carty

$50 from Anonymous

$50 donated by Amy Gregory

$50 donated by Andrea Wyatt

$50 donated by Angie Floyd

$50 donated by Beverly Brown

$50 donated by Caitlin Moses

$50 donated by Caitlin Sullivan

$50 donated by Carter & Evan Salapka

$50 donated by Casey Toy

$50 donated by Catherine Soucie

$50 donated by Christy Ellis

$50 donated by Christy Wilson

$50 donated by Cristina Morgan-Vanko

$50 donated by Cullen Sullivan

$50 donated by Gretchen Drees

$50 donated by Hanover Community Support Services

$50 donated by Katie Noblet

$50 donated by Katy Packett

$50 donated by Kimberly Quann

$50 donated by Kristin Becerra

$50 donated by Kristin Ekman

$50 donated by Kristina Mickiewicz

$50 donated by Lia Gayle

$50 donated by Lynsey Leib

$50 donated by Maria Powers

$50 donated by Matt Blum

$50 donated by Meghan Ondrish

$50 donated by My Meandering Life

$50 donated by Nancy Bade

$50 donated by Nancy Suits

$50 donated by Pamela Currey

$50 donated by Pyramid Roofing Matching Gift

$50 donated by Sarah Garwood

$50 donated by Shelly Huber

$50 donated by The Leavitt Family

$50 donated by Tracy Surratt

$50 donated by Vicki Williams

$50 donated by Vistra Matching Gift

$50 donated by Wes and Amy Williams

$35 from Anonymous

$35 donated by Danielle Geist

$35 in support of Our Tio Carlos, Love Nella & Marco

$25 from Anonymous

$25 donated by Ally Ryan

$25 donated by Becky Conti

$25 donated by Beth Smizik

$25 donated by Ed Berenson

$25 donated by Elizabeth Fields

$25 donated by Ellen Squyars

$25 donated by Emily Handshaw

$25 donated by Janelle Tamez

$25 donated by Jeff Schiffman

$25 donated by Jennifer Mummert

$25 donated by Karen Thacker

$25 donated by Kayleigh Watson

$25 donated by Kerry Kriner

$25 from Anonymous

$25 donated by Mia Parese

$25 donated by Palmer Buchanan

$25 from Anonymous

$25 donated by Suzan Quesenberry

$25 donated by Tracy Berry

$20 donated by Pamela Chandler

$20 donated by Paula Fowler

$15 donated by Carly Terry

$15 donated by Sam Baird

$10 donated by Bailey Liddell

$10 donated by Connor Custalow

$10 donated by kiley roland kiley roland

Team bELIeve Team Members

(110)