Melissa Donovan
Quest, Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation to enhance arts programming at Quest Kids Academy, a specialized school serving children, teens and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
The funding will support a range of enrichment opportunities throughout the school year, including educational field trips as well as expanded music and dance classes. The grant comes as Quest prepares to open its newly constructed campus in 2026, located at 500 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando.
The new facility will serve as the permanent home for both Quest Kids Academy and Quest Kids Therapy, creating an integrated learning and therapeutic environment designed to support students ages 5 to 22. Quest Kids Academy utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a clinically proven approach focused on improving behavior and skill development.
Educational programming at Quest Kids Academy is centered around two primary focus areas. Early Academics emphasizes foundational learning skills and classroom readiness, while Life and Employment Readiness concentrates on social development and vocational skills to help students successfully transition into adulthood.
“With 1 in 31 children being diagnosed with autism, the need for innovative learning environments has never been greater,” John R. Gill, President and CEO at Quest, Inc., said in a press release. “Thanks to the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, our new home will be a place where the arts drive development – strengthening skills, unlocking potential and preparing students for greater independence.”
According to Quest, the integration of arts-based learning plays a critical role in supporting communication, motor skills, emotional expression and social interaction for individuals with developmental disabilities. Music and dance programs, along with experiential learning opportunities such as field trips, are designed to complement academic and therapeutic instruction while encouraging creativity and confidence.
The upcoming campus is intended to serve as a comprehensive hub for education and therapy, offering families access to specialized services in a purpose-built setting. Quest officials say the new location will allow the organization to expand its reach and better meet the growing demand for specialized educational programs in Central Florida.
Families interested in enrolling students at Quest Kids Academy or learning more about Quest, Inc.’s mission can find additional information at QuestKids.org. Financial assistance is available through the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities Program, which helps eligible families access specialized educational services.
Quest, Inc. is a Central Florida-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential through education, therapy and community-based support services.
Comments