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Hills & Dales Weber Autism Center.

FOR INTERVIEWS/COMMENTS:
Jack Mescher, CEO
563-451-5225 (cell)
jmescher@hillsdales.org

FOR MORE DETAILS/INFORMATION:
Deanne Althoff, Mission Adv. & Community Relations Director
319-415-3448 (cell)
dalthoff@hillsdales.org

Jim Weber
563-590-6531
jimweber@wepaco.com

(Dubuque, IA – March 31, 2023) – At the start of April and Autism Acceptance Month, Hills & Dales is honored to announce the receipt of the largest single gift in the organization’s history in support of the new Center for Autism Services.

Jim and Jane Weber, long-time friends and supporters of Hills & Dales, have contributed a lead gift for the center’s build-out. Jim Weber has been involved with Hills & Dales for over 40 years and is currently past chair of the Hills & Dales Board of Directors.

The Webers have been advocates for children and adults with autism since the inception of the Autism program at Hills & Dales, nearly 10 years ago. In honor of their immensely generous gift and their long-time commitment to the agency’s mission of “Building Meaningful Lives,” the new center will be known as the Hills & Dales Weber Autism Center.

Construction is on track for the state-of-the-art Weber Autism Center, located at 1660 Embassy West Drive, to open in late 2023, coinciding with the organization’s celebration of 50 years supporting children and adults with disabilities. Through the larger, enhanced space the Hills & Dales team will be able to better support children with autism and their families from Dubuque and surrounding rural areas. The new center will consolidate and upgrade the existing two autism clinics in Dubuque and become the hub of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and all of Hills & Dales’ Autism services.

“Having been connected to the Autism program at Hills & Dales from day one, Jane and I felt very strongly this center would provide a new opportunity and improvement for clients and residents of Hills & Dales, as well as the ability to serve many more children in our area. There are hundreds of families with children in the tri-state area and beyond who are navigating an autism diagnosis. The community may not realize it because the spectrum of individuals needing services is so broad. This center will provide families with support through challenges and answers to their questions. It will make the quality of life and opportunities better for a great number of families,” stated Jim, emphasizing the regional opportunity for impact of this center.

Jim and Jane Weber also hope by providing this lead gift they will inspire and encourage other community members to contribute to this incredible project and the mission of Hills & Dales.

“Hills & Dales is incredibly grateful for the leadership provided by Mr. and Mrs. Weber. This gift is a profound example of their advocacy for individuals with autism, and they have been passionate about supporting children and adults with disabilities every step leading up to now,” stated Jack Mescher, Hills & Dales CEO.

Hills & Dales is a Dubuque based non-profit with a nearly 50-year history of building meaningful lives for individuals with disabilities by offering services that support the whole person and enhance community inclusion. Anyone interested in learning more about the new Weber Autism Center or supporting the project is encouraged to visit hillsdales.org or call 563-556-7878.

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