Hope for Three, an autism advocacy organization in Sugar Land, has been serving families with autistic children since 2011. Nine years later, the organization has provided a total of more than $10 million of financial aid and directly assisted 13,000 people last year, founder and CEO Darla Farmer said.

Farmer said the nonprofit was inspired after she watched her friend, Hope Collins Montgomery, seek help for her triplet daughters—Londyn, Lakin and Lauren—who are all diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects someone’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

“As parents ... your responsibility is to do everything you can for your kids,” Montgomery said. “But, we realized that we did need the help.”

Montgomery’s daughters were born in 2006. When Lakin was 2 1/2, she stopped making eye contact and then lost her speech. Within three months, Londyn and Lauren exhibited similar characteristics.

Farmer and her husband, along with some other friends, created Hope for Three in honor of the Montgomerys.

“Watching them go through all the trials and tribulations of trying to get the girls services ... it was rough on them,” Farmer said.

Hope for Three has six full-time and one part-time employees, a few interns and dozens of volunteers. Together, they raise awareness about autism through events in the community and provide advocacy services.

Hope for Three provides referral services to local, out-of-state or even international clients looking for service providers in their area.

Additionally, the organization offers financial aid to Fort Bend County residents for them to seek autism-related services. Through an application and interview process, Hope for Three vets the family and potential provider before helping to pay for care.

Montgomery said the nonprofit, which is funded through grants, fundraising, individual contributions and corporate sponsorships, was one of the first organizations in the area to focus exclusively on providing resources for families with children with autism.

Montgomery and Farmer said they are excited to use the events they have planned in April—which is Autism Awareness Month—to continue their outreach efforts.

“Because [Hope has] been courageous to share her intimate life story, we’ve been able to help thousands of other families,” Farmer said.

Hope for Three

12808 W. Airport Blvd., Ste. 375, Sugar Land

281-245-0640

www.hopeforthree.org

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun.