About Us
Our mission is to remove financial barriers preventing individuals from receiving appropriate services, equipment, or environmental modifications that would assist in helping them reach their fullest potential.
Our vision aims to create a community where every individual has equitable access to therapies, resources, and opportunities needed to live healthy, independent, and meaningful lives.
All actions and decisions made on the behalf of the foundation will align with the core values including Hope, Inclusion, Family-Centered Care, Collaboration, Community Outreach, and Accessibility.
Paige Rutherford: Founder
Paige discovered her passion for occupational therapy at just 8 years old when her great grandmother had a stroke requiring therapy services for recovery. From that point she told everyone she would be an OT one day. Paige graduated from Shenandoah University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a doctorate degree in occupational therapy. In the Summer of 2023, she joined Authentic Health serving children of all ages with varying needs and abilities. During the last 3 years of providing services she has recognized gaps in the healthcare system. Many individuals have been denied coverage for needed services like sensory based OT, vision therapy, home modifications, and appropriate adaptive equipment.
After a lot of thought and prayers, Paige decided to start up Authentic Futures Foundations with the goal to close many of these gaps within the community. As the founder, Paige is passionate about serving individuals in the community, removing financial barriers, and growing the foundation one step at a time.
Christie Pride: Board Member
Amanda Baity: Board Member
Amanda Baity brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership, community engagement, fundraising, and program development experience to the Board of Directors of Authentic Futures Foundation.
Amanda is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that provides custom-trained service dogs to disabled American veterans at no cost. Through her work with Semper K9 and other community organizations, she has extensive experience in nonprofit operations, fundraising, volunteer management, event planning, community partnerships, and organizational growth.
She is also actively involved in her local community and serves on the board of the Mary Walter Elementary School PTO, supporting initiatives that strengthen opportunities and resources for students, families, and educators.
Amanda's connection to the mission of Authentic Futures Foundation is also deeply personal. Two of her children have received occupational therapy, and she has seen firsthand the tremendous impact that access to the right therapy and support can have on a child's development, confidence, independence, and everyday life. That experience has given her a strong appreciation for the professionals who provide these services as well as an understanding of how important it is for families to be able to access recommended care.
As a board member, Amanda is passionate about helping Authentic Futures Foundation build a strong and sustainable organization that removes financial barriers to therapy and related services, connects families with needed resources, and ensures more children have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
