How We Began…

The Journey of Hope...

The Hope Center for Autism began in 2002 in a small room at First Baptist Church in Jensen Beach, founded by a group of parents who saw a need for specialized education and support for their children.

What started as a small program focused on essential skills quickly grew. In 2004, Hope became a public charter school serving students from prekindergarten through 2nd grade. By 2012, the school had outgrown its original space and moved to Indian Street. In 2018, The Hope Academy for Autism joined the campus, expanding services through 8th grade. In 2023, The Hope Academy officially merged into The Hope Center for Autism, bringing our programs together under one name and one mission.

But we have always known that the need for support does not end when a student leaves the classroom.

In 2018, we launched Next Step, a peer-facilitated social and vocational program for teens and young adults with autism. What began with just four members has grown to serve more than 80 teens and young adults, helping them build friendships, strengthen social and vocational skills, advocate for autism awareness, and prepare for greater independence.

A New Chapter

During the 2025–2026 school year, The Hope Center had an ambitious vision: reduce our growing waitlist, expand opportunities for adults with autism, and find a larger home where our programs could continue to grow.

That vision became a reality.

Today, The Hope Center for Autism is proud to call a new 60,000-square-foot facility home, opening the door to limitless possibilities for the children, teens, adults, and families we serve.

Our address may have changed, but our purpose remains the same: to create a place where individuals with autism are understood, supported, challenged, and given the tools they need to thrive.

From one small room in 2002 to 60,000 square feet of possibility today, Hope continues to grow.