(L to R): Belma Johnson, Executive Director of Micah's Voice, Tracy L. Ward, Project Manager, Northern California Region, Kaiser-Permanente, co-founders Sharhonda and Shawn Stockman and Curshanda Woods, Community Relations Manager, Kaiser-Permanente.
Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman and his wife, Sharhonda, know all too well the fear that parents experience when their child is diagnosed with autism. One of their twin sons, Micah is on the autism spectrum. That fear only increases when families begin to search for therapies, educational opportunities and support. The services to support these children can be very expensive.
Micah is now 14 and while they face daily challenges, he is doing very well. Their personal experience led them to start Micah's Voice, a foundation to provide hope and inspiration to families dealing with a child on the spectrum. Through programs that provide education, awareness, support and financial assistance for those in greatest need, Micah’s Voice empowers families and gives a voice to these special children, so that they can enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Micah's Voice recently received a grant from Kaiser-Permanente Northern California Region. The grant is to fund outreach to Northern California African-American families dealing with an autism diagnosis in order to document and increase their awareness and access to local services that can improve the lives of their families.