(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Inside the Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center, on Verde Drive in Colorado Springs, the De La Vega Foundation utilized the space on Saturday, April 5, so families dealing with autism could find answers and community.

It’s what the Gonzales family wanted the Together Rising Conference to be about.

“It’s a day to connect and to celebrate autism,” said E.J. Gonzales, the Executive Officer for the De La Vega Foundation. 

This event, along with the De La Vega Foundation, aims to help and provide resources for those who have autism, because finding resources can be difficult, and co-founder Ann Gonzales knows from personal experience. Three of the four Gonzales children are diagnosed with autism, and they understand struggles come with even the simple things like getting haircuts.

“Trust me, haircuts are a no-no,” Ann said. “You have to hold your kid.”

E.J. remembers the struggles of his siblings while growing up, and he was the one who came up with the idea to give back. “We wanted to have a meaning why we’re doing all of these different projects,” E.J. said. “We wanted to impact the community one way or another.”

With that, the De La Vega Foundation was founded in 2024 to give to communities in the Springs and the Philippines.

The Together Rising Conference went into year two and blossomed, giving families access to more resources. 

Families could find health products, free haircuts, and massages. Some speakers taught lessons on communication and emotional turbulence. There was even jewelry and Philippine food available for purchase. It was all there to help those families find answers to their questions and concerns. 

For the Gonzaleses, it just meant a successful day of helping people, and they are far from finished.

If you want to donate to the De La Vega Foundation, you can click here to find their website.  

“We want to help everyone, all the children in the spectrum,” Ann said. “That’s our goal, that’s our mission. We’re not copying any other organization.”