Building community for autism families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Caiden's Corner β The Ausome Families Foundation was founded in June 2025 by Alyece and Clayton Smith in Kiln, Mississippi. Named after their son Caiden, the foundation exists to ensure that no autism family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast faces the journey alone. In less than one year, Caiden's Corner raised over $50,000 through sponsorships, grants, and in-kind support β earned regional and national media coverage, received a mayoral proclamation, and built the region's only family-led autism support network.
"Every child deserves access to community events. Every family deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated β regardless of their child's diagnosis or their financial situation."
β Alyece Smith, Founder & Board President$50K+ raised in the first year through sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations
Regional and national media recognition in Year One β WLOX, WXXV, WJTV & more
Officially recognized by local government for community impact at the Autism Acceptance Walk
"Redesigning Success For The Neurodivergent Mind" β Missouri S&T, 2025
Recognized by Exceptional Needs Today Magazine for outstanding contributions to the neurodivergent community
A guide for parents navigating life after an autism diagnosis β written by Founder Alyece Smith
Official partnership with OAR bringing research-backed resources directly to Gulf Coast autism families
Active community collaborations extending reach and resources for families across South Mississippi
Your sponsorship directly funds these programs β serving families, educators, providers, first responders, and community organizations across South Mississippi.
A fully equipped mobile sensory space that brings sensory-friendly resources directly into communities across the Gulf Coast β removing the barrier of travel for families who need access most.
Learn MoreWorkshops for parents, educators, providers, caregivers, community organizations, and first responders β building understanding and equipping the people who support autism families every day.
View WorkshopsQuarterly events designed for neurodivergent families β low sensory overwhelm, no judgment, full inclusion. Pizza in Pieces drew 64 RSVPs; our Santa Sensory Workshop welcomed 74 attendees.
View EventsWe partner with schools, courts, and organizations to install calming corners and sensory-safe spaces β including our calming room at Hancock County Youth Court, serving 150β200 youth annually.
Learn MoreOur aquatic inclusion initiative providing swim access for children on the spectrum β because water safety and joyful movement matter for every child.
Learn MoreCollaborations with CASA, Hope Haven, Organization for Autism Research, Hancock County Libraries, and local schools β extending our reach and connecting families to the full network of resources available to them.
Learn MoreOur Program Partners
Your sponsorship doesn't just put your logo on a banner β it directly funds the programs, events, and resources that autism families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast rely on. Here's what we're building together.
9+ family workshops annually, a digital resource library for parents and caregivers, and peer-to-peer school programs β reaching hundreds of students across the Gulf Coast each year.
Quarterly sensory-friendly events, the Annual Autism Acceptance Walk & Community Celebration, teen programming, and SibShop β all designed for families who are too often left behind.
The Mobile Sensory Unit launching June 2026, law enforcement training, calming corners in community spaces, and a long-term goal for the Gulf Coast's first autism-focused ABA center.
"We're committed to 30% year-over-year growth across every program β in funds raised, families served, and community reach. Your sponsorship is what makes that possible."
β Caiden's Corner 2025β2027 Strategic PlanCorporations and local businesses are actively seeking community investment that aligns with DEI goals, disability inclusion, and family wellness. Caiden's Corner sits at the intersection of all of these β making your sponsorship a strategic business decision, not just a charitable one.
Every tier is built around what your investment actually does for families β not just what your logo gets in return.
| Tier | Investment | Your Impact | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
Village Builder |
$10,000+ |
Title Sponsor of the Walk + Mobile Sensory Unit logo placement for 12 months |
1 Only |
Champion |
$5,000 |
Gold Level Walk Sponsor + Mobile Sensory Unit logo for 12 months |
3 Available |
Advocate |
$2,500 |
Silver Level Walk Sponsor β funds two full educational workshop series |
5 Available |
Ally |
$1,000 |
Bronze Level Walk Sponsor β brings one sensory-friendly community event to life |
Unlimited |
Friend of the Foundation |
$500 |
Helps one family access resources and community they couldn't find on their own |
Unlimited |
Community Partner |
$250 |
Shows up for autism families β every dollar goes directly to programming |
Unlimited |
In-Kind Partner |
Custom |
Goods or services β placed at the sponsorship tier that matches your contribution's value |
Unlimited |
Title Sponsor of the Walk + Mobile Sensory Unit logo placement for 12 months
Gold Level Walk Sponsor + Mobile Sensory Unit logo for 12 months
Silver Level Walk Sponsor β funds two full educational workshop series
Bronze Level Walk Sponsor β brings one sensory-friendly community event to life
Helps one family access resources and community they couldn't find on their own
Shows up for autism families β every dollar goes directly to programming
Goods or services β placed at the tier that matches your contribution's value
Click any level to see the full list of benefits included at that tier.
Not every business can make a cash commitment β and that's okay. In-kind partners are placed at the sponsorship tier that matches their contribution's value and receive all benefits of that tier. Every in-kind donation receives a tax acknowledgment letter and certificate of community partnership.
In-kind sponsors are valued partners. Depending on the nature and value of your donation, you may receive Walk banner placement, homepage listing, social media features, and more β at the tier level that reflects your contribution. Not sure where your donation falls? Reach out and we'll figure it out together.
We've reserved something special for sponsors who want to grow with us β not just for a year, but for the long haul. If you're ready to commit to supporting Caiden's Corner for three consecutive years, you become a Legacy Partner.
A Legacy Partnership is a three-year commitment at any sponsorship tier. It costs you nothing extra β but it signals something powerful to your community: that your investment in autism families isn't a one-time gesture. It's a value.
Our annual Autism Acceptance Walk & Community Celebration is more than an event β it's a movement. Held every April at the Bay St. Louis Train Depot, this recurring signature event brings families, businesses, therapists, educators, and community leaders together to celebrate neurodiversity and raise resources for the families who need them most. Your sponsorship places your brand at the center of that moment β every year.
Caiden's Corner β The Ausome Families Foundation
None of the tiers quite fit what you're thinking? We're open to partnering with you in whatever way makes sense for your business. Whether it's naming rights on a specific program, a custom activation at one of our events, a product placement opportunity, or something else entirely β let's talk.
Every dollar raised through sponsorship goes directly to supporting autism families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not sure which level is right for you? We'll build something that works.
Alyece Smith β Founder & Board President
Caiden's Corner β The Ausome Families Foundation
[email protected]
www.caidenscorner.com
P.O. Box 23, Kiln, MS 39556
Caiden's Corner β The Ausome Families Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 33-2067229. All sponsorship contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. You will receive an official contribution acknowledgment letter for your records.