FRAMINGHAM, MASS. — The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism has announced the opening of the Joey’s Fund Family Grant Program, a fund set up in honor of Josephine (Joey) Gay, one of the victims of 12/14.

Joey’s Fund Family Grant Program provides grants to families in Newtown that need financial assistance for their family member living with autism. The Flutie Foundation anticipates offering two grant cycles per year through Joey’s Fund with plans to expand the geographic focus in future grant cycles.

Applications for the first grant cycle are now open and can be downloaded online.

In order to be qualified, all applications must be submitted to the foundation and postmarked or emailed by the end of the day on May 24, 2013. Through the Fund, families can apply for up to $8,000 and may use the money for anything that directly improves the life of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“We are incredibly honored that the Gay family chose to create Joey’s Fund in conjunction with the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism,” said Lisa Borges, executive director of the Flutie Foundation. “The foundation strives to support families with children and adults living with autism, and now Joey’s Fund will provide direct aid to families who have a child on the spectrum and are experiencing financial hardships in Newtown.”

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. was established in 1998 by Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, in honor of their 21-year-old son, Doug, Jr, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Autism is a neurological disorder that impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autism now affects one in 88 children in the United States, and the numbers diagnosed continue to dramatically climb.

The foundation’s mission is to support families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is committed to increasing awareness of the challenges of living with autism and helping families find resources to help address those challenges.  It provides individuals with autism and their families an opportunity to improve their quality of life by funding educational, therapeutic, recreational and advocacy programs.

For more information on The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, contact Maria Baez at Ebben Zall Group at 781-449-3244, or visit www.flutiefoundation.org.