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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

When you spend your day trying to improve the lives of others, and really listening to how to make that possible, you can’t help but think of Cindy Andree Bowen. As the current principal of ABC of N.C., a nonprofit that provides therapeutic, educational services and evidence-based diagnostics to individuals regardless of their financial situations, Andree Bowen does that daily, and considers herself the lucky one.

Initially, Andree Bowen thought that she would study medicine like both of her parents.

“I began down that path, however, once I began taking the humanities classes that are required, I realized how much I enjoyed them,” she said. “I became set on becoming a teacher by sophomore year.”

While at Wake, Andree Bowen always kept an open mind to new experiences.

“When she saw a flyer to work one on one with a child that had autism, she was intrigued,” Andree Bowen said. “Something just clicked. And with that experience, I immediately knew that I wanted to be a special education teacher.” 

While Andree Bowen found her professional passion through a flyer, she also found friends and another way to find joy through a different flyer too.

“I saw a notice for the Taekwondo club at Wake. Both my roommate and I had been looking for something to do to get more involved on campus. The instructors were personable, and it was a relaxed atmosphere where we were able to exercise together and learn forms. I realized it’s more of an art which is what I appreciated. I didn’t love the sparring, but I love that portion of it,” revealed Andree Bowen, who went on to earn her black belt.  

The skills that were learned in Taekwondo helped prepare Andree Bowen for her next life chapter.

“I had considered teaching positions back home in Pennsylvania,” Andree Bowen said. “However, during the summer after I graduated, I was drawn to an up-and-coming non-profit organization that was beginning. My supervisor at Wake from my one-on-one experience with an autistic student had informed me about it. Now through the help of Felice and Richard Brenner, who’s own child had been able to afford those services, they wanted to help other children and families who didn’t have the financial means to get the support they needed by opening a center.”

While Andree Bowen could have accepted a position back in Pennsylvania that was more secure and financially lucrative, she opted to help the vision of what was to be at ABC.

“I felt strongly about sticking with the autism population. And to this day, I have no regrets,” Andree Bowen said. “Starting off with just three kids at the Highland Presbyterian Church and three of us teachers, we are now going on our 20th year with 65 kids ranging from ages 2-22 (which includes a pre-school opportunity for early intervention).” 

While Andree Bowen is humble of her role at making ABC a much sought after resource in our community, there is no denying her impact. She is a board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed behavior analyst.

“At ABC, we have always been cutting edge with intervention with autism services such as applied behavioral therapy. The licensure just became a thing this year which is exciting. We’ve also served in a political capacity to help our local government understand why they need to include these services with medical insurance. The goal is always to improve the life of these children,” Andree Bowen said. 

Everything that Andree Bowen does in her day to day at ABC reflects that goal.

“I just want people to understand how amazing our population is,” Andree Bowen said. “When autistic people are in a safe and welcoming environment, they are the coolest individuals that anyone could get to know. They are justice-oriented, authentic and deeply passionate about their interests. You’ve probably heard of someone who has a passion, but they have the desire to really know about theirs through research and a deeper level of understanding. They are not constrained by social norms, so it’s beautiful to watch.”

Andree Bowen credits the community at ABC for the success of the program.

“Everyone who works there really believes in the mission,” Andree Bowen said. “I begin my day with mentor meetings and always ask for input. I also let them know how much I appreciate their efforts because I do. Then I get to greet the children. That’s such a highlight of my day. If any of them comes in deregulated, I help them make a plan to turn that around. It can be caused by something like breakfast not going well. I get to help provide resources that will make that better. It’s never because they don’t want to be there. All of the kids are so excited to be in an environment where they are celebrated.” 

While so much of her heart and soul has gone into the children of ABC, Andree Bowen and her husband, Scott, have incorporated their own children into their experiences there too. Oliver (15) and Sage (14) attended their preschool.

“It has really been a shared family experience, and my kids love it just as much as Scott and I do,” Andree Bowen said. “The preschool is very inclusive and allows all children to attend. And once my children got older, whenever they had days off at school, they came back to ABC because they connected with the children so much. When I taught an adaptative martial arts program at ABC, they of course wanted to participate which was a lot of fun.”

If not at ABC, Oliver or Sage’s play or musical concert, you can likely find the Andree Bowens involved at their churches, youth groups, or doing community outreach.

“Something that my students have taught me is to suspend assumptions,” Andree Bowen said. “There are so many different angles to consider. If we’re helping out at school, church or anywhere in the community, just letting others know you care and they matter is important.”