A Personal Message from Our Founder

My name is Antoinette Fisher-King, and Pieces of Purpose Foundation began from a place that is deeply personal to me.

I am the mother of an amazing daughter with autism. As her mom, I understand firsthand that something as simple as attending a community event can sometimes be difficult. Loud noises, bright lights, large crowds, long waits, and unfamiliar environments can quickly become overwhelming because of her sensory needs.

There have been times when we had to leave an event early, sit something out, or decide not to attend at all because the environment was not designed with her needs in mind.

Those experiences changed the way I see inclusion. I began to understand that being invited into a space and truly being able to participate in that space are two very different things.

As a business owner and event creator, I have spent years bringing people together and creating experiences for the community. During a season when I stepped away, I asked myself a very important question:

“Antoinette, what are you truly passionate about?”

The answer was right in front of me: my family, creating meaningful experiences, and bringing people together.

That realization helped inspire Pieces of Purpose Foundation.

I am continuing to walk by faith as I build this foundation with a purpose that is close to my heart: creating welcoming, inclusive, sensory-conscious, and meaningful experiences for children, teens, and adults with autism and other disabilities—and the families who love and support them.

I want families to have spaces where they don't have to wonder whether their loved one will be understood. Spaces where accommodations are welcomed, differences are respected, and individuals can participate at their own pace. Spaces where families can make memories, build connections, experience something new, and simply be themselves.

But our purpose is bigger than the events we host.

Creating Change Beyond Our Events

Pieces of Purpose Foundation has a vision to help make community participation more accessible throughout Arizona.

We want to bring together families, self-advocates, DDD providers, disability organizations, event professionals, venues, libraries, parks and recreation departments, businesses, and other community partners to listen, learn, and create solutions together.

An important part of that work is listening directly to individuals and families about the barriers they experience when trying to participate in community events and activities. Their experiences can help guide better practices around quiet and sensory spaces, lighting, sound levels, crowd management, visual schedules, staff training, family communication, and accommodations before and during events.

Our long-term vision is to use what we learn to help develop practical sensory-inclusive event resources, training, tools, and standards that organizations can use when planning their own events and programs.

Pieces of Purpose will not only create inclusive experiences—we want to help other organizations become more inclusive, too.

Through collaboration, community listening, education, and partnerships, we hope to build a model that can be tested, strengthened, and expanded throughout Arizona. This allows our impact to reach beyond the families who attend a Pieces of Purpose event and into the communities and spaces they visit every day.

Because true inclusion isn't just about creating one special event.

It's about helping create communities where belonging becomes the standard.

This journey may have started with my daughter, but my hope is that it creates opportunities for many individuals and families for years to come.

Different Pieces. One Purpose. Every Ability Belongs.