Community rallies at Sunday Funday to support Dylan’s House and autism housing initiative
Penguin City Brewing Company was packed on Sunday as the community came together for the third annual Sunday Funday, a fundraising event benefiting Dylan’s House—a nonprofit working to provide supported housing for autistic adults in the Mahoning Valley.
The lively afternoon featured live music from RDNA, food trucks, specialty drinks, raffle baskets, and 50/50 drawings. Supporters say the fun atmosphere was matched by a shared sense of purpose—to raise money and awareness for families navigating autism into adulthood.
Dylan’s House was founded by Kevin and Amy Shope of Canfield, inspired by their son, Dylan, a 24-year-old autistic man with a bright personality and deep love for his family. After seeing how Dylan thrived with access to a supported living home and 24/7 care, the Shopes wanted to make that opportunity available to others in their community.
“So really, it's going to be life changing for these local families to let their individuals gain some independence, and also for them to just be a family, and have, you know, not to be able to take care of an adult that has needs, like a toddler,” said Amy Shope.
During the event, organizers confirmed that Dylan’s House has purchased land in both Struthers and Boardman. The plan is to break ground on both sites by the end of the year, taking a major step toward expanding their mission of supported, independent living for autistic individuals.
Dozens of families, community members, and local leaders attended Sunday’s fundraiser to show their support. Among them was Youngstown State University President Bill Johnson, who shared his thoughts on the organization’s impact.
“There’s no better gift that you can give a human being than to give them dignity and to give them self confidence,” Johnson said during brief remarks.
The Shope family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting that Sunday Funday continues to grow each year—both in turnout and in impact.
With each donation and every ticket purchased, Dylan’s House moves closer to building homes, expanding awareness, and creating a lasting difference for individuals with autism and their families right here in the Mahoning Valley.
