Els for Autism, a local nonprofit, has received a $5 million donation to build a specialized aquatic center. The center will provide swim lessons and water safety instruction to children with autism, who are at a higher risk of drowning.

Aquatic Center to Serve the Community

The aquatic center, which will be named after the Sprovieri family, will be part of a larger recreation complex. It will feature a splash pad, swim lanes, and a therapeutic aquatics area. The center will be open to the entire community, not just those currently receiving services from Els for Autism.

According to Doctor Marlene Sotelo, executive director of Els for Autism, the aquatic center is a much-needed resource for children with autism. ‘Water is a really exciting thing for children with autism,’ she said. ‘The sound of the water is very soothing, and it feels good. However, many children with autism are not aware of the dangers of water and don’t know how to swim.’

The $5 million donation from Sue and Ross Provieri will help cover the costs of building the aquatic center. The total project cost is estimated to be $20 million. Els for Autism is continuing to fundraise to make sure the programs are affordable and accessible to all families.

Families and corporations can donate to Els for Autism by visiting their website. The organization is also offering swim lessons and other programs to help children with autism learn water safety.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.