About Us
Willy’s World began with one little boy, a family searching for answers, and a determination to make the journey easier for others.
Our Journey to Willy
My husband, Will, and I met in 2003 at Lake Erie Speedway. Racing has always been part of both our families. My brother, Georgie, raced on pavement, while Will came from a family with deep roots in dirt track racing. We began dating in 2008, and I eventually left my hometown of Eden, New York, to begin a new life with Will in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. We married on March 19, 2011, excited to start our lives together and hopefully raise a family.
I had always dreamed of having a big family, with three or four children. But becoming parents was much harder than we ever imagined.
For eight years, we struggled with infertility.
Infertility is something I don't think anyone can fully understand unless they've experienced it. The longing to become a parent never goes away. You watch friends and family welcome children, celebrate birthdays, and build their families while wondering if your turn will ever come.
After years of disappointment, we decided to try one final round of IVF.
This time, it worked.
On April 4, 2019, our son, Willy, was born. I remember holding him for the first time and feeling an overwhelming sense of love and joy. After everything we had been through, he was finally here.
It was the best day of my life.
Searching for Answers
As much joy as Willy brought into our lives, his early months were some of the most difficult I have ever experienced.
Willy cried more than he seemed happy. No matter what I tried, I couldn't seem to comfort him. Sleeping and eating were constant struggles, and as time went on, I began noticing that he wasn't reaching developmental milestones as expected.
Most of my family lived back in the Buffalo area, and we didn't have the family support nearby that we needed. Will had a company to run and employees depending on him, so he had to go to work each day. I was home with Willy, doing everything I could to help him, often feeling completely exhausted and overwhelmed.
I loved being his mom more than anything, but those days were incredibly hard.
As our concerns grew, we began searching for answers. Throughout 2020, trips to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh became a regular part of our lives. We met with specialists in neurology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, craniofacial care, genetics, speech, and developmental medicine. Willy underwent numerous examinations and tests as doctors worked to better understand his needs.
In February 2021, Willy underwent an autism evaluation at the Child Development Center in Pittsburgh.
The evaluation itself was extremely difficult. Willy struggled to participate in the activities the psychologist was asking him to complete. He became frustrated and overwhelmed, and at one point, the psychologist asked me to step in and try to help.
When the evaluation was over, we sat down in his office and learned that Willy had been diagnosed with Level 3 autism and was nonverbal at the time.
We were trying to process what this meant for our little boy and what we needed to do next.
The psychologist handed us a sheet of paper listing behavioral health agencies in Mercer County. He explained that Willy qualified for behavioral health services and told us to contact the agencies on the list.
And that was it.
We left with a diagnosis, a list of phone numbers, and more questions than answers.
Where were we supposed to begin? Who could help us understand autism? What therapies did Willy need? How quickly could we get him the support he deserved?
We needed guidance, but we had no idea where to turn.
Finding Our Way
We started calling every agency on that list.
Some calls went unanswered. Others were never returned. When we finally reached someone, we were often told there were no available therapists or that services had long waiting lists.
It was frustrating, discouraging, and incredibly isolating.
We weren't looking for anything extraordinary. We simply wanted to find the right support for our son.
Once Willy was asleep each night, Will and I would begin researching. We made phone calls, connected with other parents, asked questions, and followed every lead we could find.
Some of the most valuable guidance came from parents who had already walked a similar path. They shared their experiences, recommended providers, and helped us understand what services might be available.
Through those conversations, we learned about applied behavior analysis (ABA), pediatric therapies, and other resources. We eventually connected with The Knapp Center in Boardman, Ohio, where we were able to get Willy on the waiting list for center-based ABA services.
Little by little, we began finding our way.
But something continued to bother us.
Will and I are educated, capable people with the ability to research, make calls, and advocate for our child. Yet finding the services Willy needed had been one of the most challenging experiences of our lives.
We kept asking ourselves: What about the families who don't know where to begin? What about parents who don't have the time, resources, or connections to navigate all of this?
We knew something wasn't right. Families shouldn't have to spend countless hours making phone calls, searching for providers, and relying on chance connections just to find support for their children.
The system was not working the way families needed it to.
There had to be a better way.
How Willy's World Began
During those late-night conversations, the idea for Willy's World began to take shape.
We talked about creating a place where families could find information about local resources, connect with services, and feel supported as they navigated the challenges of raising a child with a disability.
We wanted to share everything we were learning so other parents wouldn't have to spend countless hours searching for the same answers.
We often said to each other, jokingly, "This is Willy's world. We just live in it."
One day, we laughed and thought, wouldn't Willy's World be a great name for a nonprofit?
And just like that, the name stuck.
What started as a conversation between two parents eventually became something much bigger.
In January 2025, we established Willy's World as a charitable fund of the Community Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Our mission grew from our personal experiences into a commitment to raising awareness of hidden disabilities and supporting children and families through education, safety initiatives, and inclusive community opportunities.
We wanted families to have access to the information, resources, and support that had been so difficult for us to find.
And we wanted children of all abilities to have opportunities to participate, connect, and feel included in their communities.
From Our Family to Our Community
Today, Willy's World is doing more than we could have imagined during those late nights searching for help.
Through the generosity of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, we are making a meaningful difference for children and families throughout Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.
Our grant programs help families access pediatric therapy, provide safety fencing for children at risk of wandering, and support educators in creating more inclusive learning environments.
We work with businesses and community organizations to raise awareness of hidden disabilities, promote understanding, and encourage more welcoming spaces.
We also create inclusive events and activities where families can come together, enjoy new experiences, and feel a sense of belonging.
Some of the most meaningful moments have been the simplest.
Seeing a child safely playing in their backyard because their family received a fence grant.
Hearing from a parent who finally found a resource they had been searching for.
Watching children and families enjoy an inclusive community event without feeling that they need to explain or apologize for their child's needs.
And having a mom come up to me and say, "Thank you for including my child."
Those moments are difficult to put into words.
They remind me why we started Willy's World and why this work matters so much.
A World Where Everyone Belongs
Willy has taught our family more than I ever could have imagined.
He has taught us patience, kindness, understanding, and empathy. He has helped us see the world from a different perspective and understand that inclusion means more than simply inviting someone to participate. It means creating an environment where they feel welcomed, respected, and supported.
Our journey hasn't always been easy, and we know there will continue to be challenges. But we have also experienced incredible joy, celebrated milestones, and met people who have made a lasting difference in our lives.
Willy is the reason we started Willy's World, but the children and families we serve are the reason we continue.
My hope is that when another parent is sitting at home, overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn, they will find Willy's World and know that support is available.
And my hope is that through education, awareness, and community involvement, we can continue building a world where children with hidden disabilities are understood, supported, and included.
If our family's journey can make the path a little easier for someone else, then everything we have learned along the way has a greater purpose.
Thank you for being part of Willy's World.
Tammy Thomas
Founder, Willy's World
Willy's World is a charitable fund of the Community Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH, a 501(c)(3) public charity, serving children and families throughout Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.