The Rich Center for Autism will receive a $27,593 donation from the founder of Ante4autism to install parent resource room. 

Doug Krinsky, Founder of Ante4autism, along with Georgia Backus, former Executive Director of The Rich Center, will present a check to the foundation at Youngstown State University on October 21. 

Doug Krinsky, a native of Columbus, Ohio is the founder of Ante4autism, an annual event held in Las Vegas with celebrities, furniture industry executives and poker players to benefit autism. 

Georgia Backus served as the Director of the Rich Center for Autism from 1995 through 2013. She is a proud graduate of Youngstown State University, earning both her BS and MS in Education from YSU. Georgia helped establish the Rich Center for Autism as an Ohio Department of Education Center of Excellence.

Proceeds of the endowment, held at the Youngstown State University Foundation, will be used to support cultural and educational activities for parents and families of currently-enrolled or formerly-enrolled Rich Center students as well as the installation of a parent resource room at The Center. 

"Doug and Georgia continue to be advocates for children on the autism spectrum. This donation enables us to sustain our mission and provide much needed support to students and families," said Interim Executive Director Mike Latessa.