AN AUTISM COMMUNITY FOR

THE WHOLE FAMILY

South Shore’s Resource for Families with Autistic Children

Raising Harts supports families with autistic & neurodiverse children through mentorship, workshops, and inclusive programming.

WHY IT

MATTERS

Three graphics showing the statistics surrounding autism in the United States and how it affects children.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

🤍

SUPPORT OUR MISSION 🤍

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Raising Harts Was Created by Parents—For Parents 

Providing a safe haven where you can share knowledge, access resources, and find your community. At Raising Harts, we help you find your people, and as a group, we share in each others’ concerns and milestones. 

Get Involved

A boy wearing a grey t-shirt and a red baseball cap outside.
Two children at an event with a large rainbow balloon arch behind them.
Members of Raising Harts at Subaru with a donation check.

The Village of Harts

Be part of an accepting community where you can share and learn and help your entire family reach their full potential.

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Video credit: Generationscinemastories

Receiving an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming and scary and finding a support network is critical. That is why Raising Harts was founded — to be that support network for families throughout the South Shore of Massachusetts and beyond.

Candice Hartford and her children wearing green and smiling together.

Candice Hartford, Founder of Raising Harts

Candice Hartford created Raising Harts so that families of Autistic children could make connections in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Our goal is to build community, empower parents on this journey, and create inclusive places where kids can just be themselves. 

  • "The most powerful tool that we all have is other parents. Other special needs parents are amazing because they have to be, they're the advocates. We have to help build each other up."

    Candice Hartford, Founder of Raising Harts

  • “Raising Harts is the community that I didn’t realize my family needed. They are a favorite place for our kids and for us as parents. We love their hub in Hanover! Raising Harts’ families meet you where you are in your journey and listen. We have found lifelong friends there.”

    - Danielle, Marshfield

  • “The Super Siblings group has been the greatest experience. My two daughters are constantly asking when the next session is. Adrien and her team are amazing, and each child is given the opportunity to express themselves and participate in meaningful activities while having fun at the same time.”

    - Ashley, Bridgewater

  • “Because of Raising Harts, my son is always welcome and included. He attends the social groups weekly and absolutely loves all the sensory play sessions offered. Our family feels so lucky to have such a special place close by 🧡.”

    - Bryn, Norwell 

  • “I liked the crafts as it made me feel calm, and I had fun meeting new friends and playing on the jungle gym.”

    - Harrison, 7-year-old participant

  • "Raising Harts has given my family and I a second home. The sense of acceptance and community I’ve felt in the last year is unmatched."

    - Sophia, Hanover

  • "Raising Harts’ parent support group has helped me to connect with other parents who truly understand what it's like to be a parent of a child with unique needs. The Parent group offers the camaraderie that is both so needed and so hard to find."

     - Laura, Whitman 


CONNECT WITH US

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As a mom to two incredible boys, Keaton and Grady, who both have autism, I know firsthand how challenging standardized tests like the MCAS can be. These tests don’t measure the amazing strengths my boys have, and they certainly don’t refl

 If your child has a new diagnosis (or maybe they haven’t been diagnosed yet) and you aren’t sure where to start, we are here for you. Please reach out.