Lori Astwood is the Founder and CEO of The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute, Inc. (RAACI), a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating culinary independence, life skills, nutrition education, socialization, and self-reliance among differently abled adults.
A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
For Lori Astwood, service did not begin with the founding of The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute. It has been a thread throughout her life.
Growing up in the Bronx, Lori was introduced to community service at an early age. As a child, she joined other neighborhood children in raising funds for the Save the Children Foundation. That early experience reflected something that would continue throughout her life: a willingness to help, organize, advocate, and serve.
As a young adult, Lori continued that commitment through national service as a VISTA volunteer. Working with the Bronx Health Plan, she helped connect residents with health information, community resources, and educational programs. Her outreach included working with churches, community centers, families, older adults, and residents in need of support.
Lori’s community work continued through neighborhood programming and family-centered events, including her role as a coordinator with the Claremont Neighborhood Center.
Years later, her life of service took on an even more personal meaning.
As the mother of Richard Astwood Jr., Lori experienced firsthand the importance of continued opportunity, dignity, support, and practical life-skills education for individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
That experience ultimately led her to establish The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute in his memory.
RAACI is not the beginning of Lori’s service story.
It is the continuation of it.
1975 | Service Begins Early
As a child growing up in the Bronx, Lori Johnson joined other neighborhood children in raising funds for the Save the Children Foundation.
Two other children named in the 1975 article remain part of Lori’s life and mission today: Edyth Johnson, now Edi Daley, and Karen Cunningham. Decades later, both would become part of the RAACI family—Edi through the organization’s staff and Karen through service on its Board.
National Service | VISTA Community Outreach
As a VISTA volunteer, Lori Johnson worked in community health outreach with the Bronx Health Plan, helping residents connect with health information, community programs, and essential resources.
Her work included outreach to churches, community centers, families, older adults, and residents throughout the Bronx.
Community Leadership | Claremont Neighborhood Center
Lori Astwood continued her community work through neighborhood programming, including serving as a coordinator for family and youth activities at the Claremont Neighborhood Center.
The clipping also captures another remarkable full-circle connection: Lori’s daughter, Loren Astwood, and Tiffani Johnson—now Tiffani Blevins—were among the young people named in the article. Decades later, Loren would become RAACI’s Director of Urban Agriculture, while Tiffani would serve as Volunteer Director of Development & Community Engagement. In 2026, Tiffani was also recognized by Lehigh Valley Style as one of its Influential Women of the Year.
The same community relationships that surrounded Lori’s early work continue to help shape RAACI today.
Through RAACI, Lori has transformed personal experience, advocacy, and purpose into hands-on programming designed to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build confidence and greater independence in everyday life.
From Service to Mission
Lori’s lifelong commitment to helping others eventually became deeply personal through her experience as the mother of Richard Astwood Jr.
Richard’s life shaped Lori’s understanding of the importance of practical skills, dignity, confidence, and continued opportunities for adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through years of caregiving, advocacy, and lived experience, Lori saw a need for programs that did more than simply occupy time. She envisioned opportunities that could help adults build real-life skills through meaningful participation.
That vision became The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute.
Founded in Richard’s memory, RAACI carries forward Lori’s lifelong commitment to service while honoring his legacy through hands-on cooking, nutrition, gardening, socialization, and life-skills education.
For Lori, RAACI represents both remembrance and purpose.
It is a way to honor Richard’s life by helping other adults develop greater confidence, independence, and self-reliance.
Real Life Skills. Real Life Experience.
RAACI Impact
Under Lori Astwood’s leadership, The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute has moved from vision to hands-on community programming.
RAACI creates practical learning experiences designed specifically for adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on participation, confidence, independence, and real-world skills.
Through cooking workshops, Grow workshops, and community-based programming, participants are given opportunities to learn by doing.
RAACI programming encourages participants to:
Build basic cooking and kitchen-safety skills
Follow simple recipes and multi-step activities
Increase confidence in preparing food
Explore nutrition and healthier food choices
Develop teamwork and socialization skills
Participate in gardening and food-growing activities
Strengthen practical everyday life skills
Experience the pride that comes from completing a task independently or with appropriate support
RAACI has provided programming in partnership with community organizations serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Its workshops are designed to meet participants where they are, while creating opportunities for growth, participation, and greater self-reliance.
RAACI continues to expand its programming, community partnerships, and capacity while working toward a larger long-term vision: making meaningful culinary and life-skills education increasingly accessible to differently abled adults.
For Lori, impact is measured not only by the number of workshops delivered, but by the moments when a participant learns a new skill, completes a task, gains confidence, or discovers something they can do for themselves.
Real Life Skills. Real Life Experience.
Media & Recognition
Lori Astwood and the work of The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute have been recognized through media features, organizational spotlights, community partnerships, and public recognition highlighting the importance of culinary independence, life-skills education, and advocacy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Featured & Recognized By
Zone of Genius / Rocket Lawyer Small Business Spotlight
Lori and RAACI were featured in a story highlighting her journey as a nonprofit founder, the mission behind RAACI, and the organization’s work helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build greater independence through cooking and practical life-skills education.
Lori and RAACI have also been recognized through Rocket Lawyer’s customer and small-business storytelling initiatives, helping bring broader visibility to the organization’s mission and development.
BAYADA
BAYADA has highlighted Lori’s work and RAACI’s commitment to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities strengthen culinary, social, and everyday living skills.
Community Recognition
RAACI’s growing network of partnerships and community relationships reflects increasing recognition of the need for meaningful, hands-on life-skills programming for adults with disabilities.
Lori continues to build relationships with organizations, advocates, service providers, funders, businesses, and community leaders who share RAACI’s commitment to independence, inclusion, and lifelong learning.
Continuing the Story
As RAACI continues to grow, this section will document new media appearances, interviews, podcast features, speaking engagements, partnerships, awards, grants, and other recognition connected to Lori’s work and the RAACI mission.
Every new feature adds another chapter to a story that began with service and continues through advocacy, leadership, and community impact.
Available for Interviews, Speaking & Community Conversations
Lori Astwood is available for interviews, podcasts, panel discussions, community events, and speaking opportunities related to:
Culinary independence for adults with disabilities
Autism and adulthood
Intellectual and developmental disability advocacy
Caregiver and family advocacy
Practical life-skills education
Building inclusive community programming
Creating opportunities for greater independence
Founding a nonprofit from lived experience
Turning personal loss into purpose and community impact
The story and mission of The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute
Lori welcomes opportunities to share her experiences, discuss the importance of continued life-skills education for adults with disabilities, and connect with organizations working toward greater independence, inclusion, and community participation.
Media, Speaking & Partnership Inquiries
To connect with Lori Astwood regarding media interviews, speaking opportunities, community partnerships, workshops, or RAACI programming:
The Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute, Inc.
Email: lori@richardastwoodjr.org
Website: www.richardastwoodjr.org
Real Life Skills. Real Life Experience.
REAL LIFE SKILLS REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE
Cultivating culinary skills for independent living.
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