The WHY Behind W.O.O.T

In the United States, 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, a number that continues to rise over time. Despite this, resources and supportive communities for children with autism and their families remain limited, leaving many families to navigate challenges alone.

For Chayna Short, this reality became personal when her son Payton was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. Chayna noticed early on that Payton’s development differed from that of his peers, and the diagnosis confirmed her observations. Determined to ensure that families in similar situations felt supported, Chayna set out on a mission to create meaningful change.

What began as informal gatherings in her mother’s living room in 2013—where Chayna provided a safe space for mothers and caretakers of color to share experiences and lean on each other—has since grown into Women Overcoming Obstacles Together (W.O.O.T). This organization is now a lifeline for families navigating autism in Syracuse, providing resources, community, and empowerment for a demographic often overlooked.

Through W.O.O.T, Chayna not only advocates for her son’s needs but also for systemic changes to ensure other families are not left behind. This is a deeper look into her motivation for founding W.O.O.T, the organization’s impact on the Syracuse community, and the many ways Chayna continues to push for positive change in the lives of all children and families in the area.