By: Stacie M Bacorn, Executive Director of ASMV
This may be my first official experience as a Mahoning Valley Warrior, but in reality, I have been preparing for this role for the entirety of my daughter’s life.
I remember the fear. The uncertainty. The loneliness.
I remember sitting in waiting rooms, trying to hold back tears because I didn’t know what was next. I remember the frustration of asking questions and receiving no clear answers—no roadmap, no community, just an overwhelming list of “what-ifs” with no one to help me navigate them.
I don’t wish that experience on anyone.
That’s why I am so passionate about the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley and why Mahoning Valley Warrior is more than just an event—it’s a movement. A movement to make sure that no parent, no child, and no family in our community ever has to feel alone in their Autism journey.
The funds we raise through this event will provide vital resources:
• Support groups so families have a network to lean on.
• Educational programs to help parents and caregivers feel empowered.
• Inclusive events where individuals with Autism can thrive.
This event is personal for me.
I know what it’s like to be the scared parent, the one searching for answers and fearing the unknown. I also know the strength it takes to become an advocate—not just for my child, but for all families walking this same path.
So I invite you—whether this is your first Mahoning Valley Warrior experience or your tenth—to stand with me. To be a Warrior for Autism. To register, sponsor, donate, or simply share our mission.
Because when we come together, when we fight for our Autism community, we replace fear with hope, isolation with connection, and uncertainty with opportunity.
Let’s make this an unforgettable event. Let’s show the world that the Mahoning Valley stands strong for Autism!
Join me. Be a Mahoning Valley Warrior today.