“Real Life Skills, Real Life Experience”
Welcome to The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute
About Our Organization
Our Mission
Our Curriculum
Our Curriculum
"Our mission at The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute (RAACI) is to cultivate culinary independence for differently abled adults by providing comprehensive cooking and nutritional education. We are dedicated to promoting health, wellness, socialization, and self-reliance, empowering our participants to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
Our Curriculum
Our Curriculum
Our Curriculum
Cook It Yourself:
Meal Planning and Budgeting
Nutrition Education
Grow Your Own:
Learning to Grow Your Own Food with our indoor grow room
Farm to Table
Shop Smart:
Taking trips to local markets, farmers markets
Learning budget friendly, healthy shopping
Getting Together Makes Us Better:
Monthly Gatherings
Community Outreach
Our Community
Our Curriculum
Our Community
At The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute, we believe that a strong community is essential to success. That's why we foster a supportive and inclusive environment where our chefs can learn and grow together.
Our Concept
Background and Inspiration: The inspiration for RAACI stems from the personal journey of our founder, Lori Astwood. With over 40 years of experience in autism care and education, Lori has witnessed the gaps in services and support for adults with autism, especially after high school. Her personal experience with her sons, both of whom are on the autism spectrum, highlighted the need for practical life skills training. Lori's youngest son, Richard, who was largely nonverbal and had a passion for food, inspired her to focus on cooking as a key skill for independence. Despite his challenges, Richard thrived in the kitchen, demonstrating how powerful and transformative these skills can be.
Core Programs:
1. Culinary Skills Training:
• Cooking Classes: Regular classes that teach basic to advanced cooking techniques, food safety, and meal preparation.
• Meal Planning and Budgeting: Instruction on how to plan meals, create grocery lists, and shop within a budget.
• Nutrition Education: Lessons on balanced diets, healthy eating habits, and the nutritional value of different foods.
2. Gardening and Sustainability:
• Grow Your Own Food: Training on how to grow vegetables and herbs, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and self-reliance.
• Farm-to-Table: Integrating gardening with cooking classes to show the journey of food from the garden to the plate.
3. Social Integration:
• Monthly Gatherings:
Social events where participants can showcase their cooking skills, share meals, and interact with peers.
•Community Outreach: Partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide real-world experiences and community engagement opportunities.
Featuring: A State of the art Sensory Room
Unique Approach: RAACI adopts a one-on-one, person-centered approach to learning. Recognizing that everyone has unique needs and abilities, we tailor our programs to ensure that every participant can learn at their own pace and achieve their personal goals. Our approach is hands-on, experiential, and focused on real-life application, ensuring that skills learned are directly transferable to everyday living.
Impact: By focusing on practical life skills and creating supportive, inclusive environments, RAACI aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of adults with autism and developmental challenges. Our goal is to help them become more independent, confident, and integrated members of the community.
Long Term Goal: To provide transportation to and from our program
Get Involved: We invite individuals, volunteers, donors, and community partners to join us in this mission. Together, we can create opportunities for growth, empowerment, and a better quality of life for those we serve.
Founder's Story
My name is Lori Astwood, and I am the Founder and CEO of The Richard Astwood Jr Autism
Culinary Institute (RAACI), a new up-and-coming nonprofit organization located in
Monroe County, PA. Allow me to share a bit about myself and the mission behind RAACI.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, I am now married with three children and two
grandchildren. My family and I currently reside in Monroe County, PA. With over 40 years of
experience in the world of autism, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the adult
population with autism spectrum disorders in our community, particularly in Northeastern
Pennsylvania (NEPA). Two of my three children were differently abled, and I made it a point to
instill in them a sense of responsibility and self-reliance. My youngest son, Richard, was autistic
and 80% nonverbal. At the age of 17 he was diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite his challenges,
he had a love for food that was undeniable. Recognizing the importance of equipping my
children with essential life skills, I taught Richard and his older brother, Sir Charles, to cook.
Cooking became a passion for both Charlie and Richard, with Richard serving as my trusted
prep cook for family dinners. His dedication and love for cooking not only contributed to our
family meals but also provided him with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It was during
these moments in the kitchen that I saw firsthand the transformative power of teaching life skills
to individuals with autism. Tragically, in March 2020, I lost my beloved Richie to complications
from epilepsy. His passing left a void in my heart and a deep commitment to honor his memory
by continuing the work we started together. Since then, I have dedicated myself to teaching
challenged adults the art of cooking and fostering self-sufficiency.
At RAACI, our mission is rooted in person-centered learning, promoting health, wellness, and
independence. Beyond teaching cooking skills, we aim to impart knowledge in budget-friendly
shopping and nutrition. Additionally, we empower our "chefs" to grow their own food, fostering a
sense of pride and self-reliance. Our chefs have the flexibility to participate in our "Cook It
Yourself" or "Grow Your Own" programs, allowing them to exercise independence in
decision-making. Our monthly gatherings provide a social atmosphere where our chefs can
showcase their culinary skills with finger foods while mingling with peers. Our mantra is "real life
skills, real life experience," and we are committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of
those we serve.
Contact Us
We are not open yet so, check back often for the Grand Opening date!
If you have questions about our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute
mailing address - 3308 Pennsylvania Highway 940, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania 18344, United States
Call us at : 570-234-4689 Email us at : lori@richardastwoodjr.org
Join Us
Help Our Cause!
Your support and contributions will enable us to fund our mission. As we await the approval of our 501(c)3 status, (all tax benefits will be received once acquired) your generosity will make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve.
Thank you for your support!