About Us - Dre's Haven, Inc.
Meet Dre, our inspiration and namesake
Aundre "Dre" Jones, Jr.
Aundre “Dre” Jones
The Heart of Our Mission
Aundre “Dre” Jones is the inspiration, foundation, and greatest contributor to everything Dre’s Haven represents. Diagnosed with autism at just 18 months, Dre did more than shape a family’s journey—he sparked a movement rooted in love, inclusion, and possibility.
From an early age, Dre demonstrated remarkable resilience and connection. When verbal communication became difficult, he found his voice through sign language—learning it alongside his family and even teaching his parents and younger brother, Tre. Through patience, creativity, and determination, Dre showed those around him that communication is not limited to words but strengthened through understanding.
As Dre grew, his experiences navigating education, community life, and access to meaningful opportunities revealed both the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals and the immense potential too often overlooked. His journey became the blueprint for Dre’s Haven—an organization built not on limitations, but on strengths, dignity, and the belief that everyone deserves to belong.
Today, at 35 years old and nonverbal, Dre continues to lead without speaking. His presence, joy, and perseverance influence every program, partnership, and pathway created through Dre’s Haven. He reminds us daily why inclusion matters, why advocacy is essential, and why a world that celebrates all abilities is not only possible—but necessary.
Dre is the heart of our mission, the reason we build, and the inspiration behind every life touched by Dre’s Haven.
Our Story
What began in 2000 as Dre’s Playhouse, an after-school and summer camp for children with autism and their siblings, has evolved into a comprehensive network of innovative programs, services, and supports. From educational programs to social enterprises to a model, inclusive residential community, Dre’s Haven continues to transform what comes after graduation — replacing uncertainty with opportunity, isolation with belonging, and fear with hope. "A Path To Purpose".
Auntre Jones has been an integral part of Dre’s Haven’s mission and success from the very beginning—long before it became an organization. As Dre’s younger brother, best friend, and lifelong confidant, Auntre’s influence is woven into the very foundation of Dre’s Haven and its 25 years of impact.
Born just 20 months apart, Dre and Auntre shared an extraordinary bond. When Dre stopped communicating verbally with others, he continued to speak with Auntre—demonstrating a connection built on trust, understanding, and unconditional love. With Auntre’s encouragement and support, Dre learned sign language, and together the brothers taught it to their parents and extended family, creating a powerful bridge for communication within their home.
Auntre’s advocacy began early. When their mother, Tonja, launched Dre’s Playhouse in 2000, Auntre was only eight years old. Even then, he recognized an unmet need and encouraged her to include siblings of K–12 students with autism in the program. This simple yet transformative idea brought joy and relief to families and became one of the many ways Dre’s Playhouse distinguished itself as an innovative, family-centered program.
Auntre also played a role in expanding the educational experiences offered at Dre’s Playhouse. He introduced students with autism, other developmental disabilities, and their siblings to foreign languages, including Spanish and Chinese, further enriching the program at a time when few organizations offered such inclusive and forward-thinking opportunities.
The brothers’ closeness became widely recognized. Their family and Dre’s Playhouse were featured by multiple media outlets, and the program received visits and support from respected organizations and community leaders, including the Orlando Magic, Orlando Miracles, and philanthropist Mr. Harris Rosen.
Their bond culminated in a defining moment in 2010, when Dre and Auntre graduated high school side by side—a milestone made possible when their parents allowed Dre to remain in school for two additional years so the brothers could cross the stage together.
Today, Auntre serves as Chief Financial Officer of Dre’s Haven, bringing both professional expertise and deeply personal commitment to the organization. His leadership reflects a lifetime of advocacy, innovation, and love—ensuring that Dre’s Haven continues to empower neurodivergent individuals and their families with dignity, opportunity, and purpose.
Auntre Jones is not only a leader at Dre’s Haven—he is a living testament to the power of sibling advocacy, inclusion, and belief in what is possible.
Auntre Tre" Jones, CFO
With more than 30 years of experience in autism support and inclusive education, Tonja Jones-Blount has dedicated her life to expanding opportunity, dignity, and independence for individuals who are too often underserved. Inspired by her son, Aundre “Dre” Jones, Tonja founded Dre’s Haven to address the critical gap between school and adulthood for neurodivergent individuals—creating pathways to meaningful employment, life skills, and community belonging.
Tonja brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, advocacy, and entrepreneurial leadership to her work. Her professional credentials include CBT Practitioner, Certified Autism Specialist and Consultant, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Life Coach, Supported Employment Coach, and Licensed Realtor. This multidisciplinary background allows her to approach neurodiversity with both compassion and strategy—meeting individuals where they are while preparing them for sustainable futures.
Her vision extends beyond traditional support models through innovative social enterprises such as Dre’s Café, Boss B Tees, and Dre’s To Grow Community Garden. Each initiative is intentionally designed to provide real-world employment, empowerment, and purpose for neurodiverse adults while fostering inclusion within the broader community.
At her core, Tonja is a builder of futures. Through Dre’s Haven, she challenges systems, redefines possibilities, and invites the world to dream differently about what inclusion can—and should—look like.
Meet Our Founder
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