The Cameron Isaiah Foundation for Autism, Inc.
A Bit About Us
Here at The Cameron Isaiah Foundation for Autism, Inc., we’re committed to investing our expertise and resources in order to further achieve our cause. Since 2000, we’ve been supporting our community members in a variety of ways and measuring our success not by monetary size, but by more qualitative measurements such as the scale and effectiveness of our efforts. Just imagine what we can achieve together!
About Cameron Isaiah Haywood
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The Founder of C.I.F.A
Rico Cannon
Rico Cannon
Year Graduated Easley Sr. Highschool Easley, SC 1993
Athletic Accomplishments
Track and Field 1988-1993 Varsity Letterman
State Qualifying Participant 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade in the Triple Jump
State Runner-up Triple Jump 12th Grade 47ft 8in, All-State Honors, All-Region Honors.
EHS MVP Track and Field 11th and 12th Grade
Junior Varsity Football 9th and 10th Grade
Varsity Football 11th and 12th Grade
Athletic Involvement after High School
Newberry College 4 year NCAA II Scholarship Athlete Award
Varsity Football
Led team in Receptions and Yards per Catch Junior and Senior
Previous Record-holder for Touchdowns in a Career with 13 in 1997, All Time List
All Time List for Most Touchdowns in a Game
All Time List for Most Receiving Yards in a Game
NFL Free Agent Training Camp and Preseason Philadelphia Eagles 1998, Oakland Raiders 1999, Oakland Raiders 2000
Oakland Raiders Practice Squad 1999
Arena Football League Portland Forestdragons 1999, Orlando Predators 2001, Indiana Firebirds 2002
1999 Arena Football League Leader in Yards per Catch for Season
Arena Football League 2 Cape Fear Wildcats 2002
Community Activities
1997 Substitute Teacher Easley High School
2002-2010 Volunteer Coach Offseason Junior High and Varsity Football
2002-2004 Counselor at New Foundations Children and Family Services
2010 – Present United Way Participant UPS
2012-2015 United Way Coordinator UPS
2012- Present African American Business Resource Group UPS
2012-2016 Mentor Program Participant UPS
2014-2016 Mentor Program Coordinator UPS
2014- Present Bobby Dodd Institute Participant and Current Ambassador
2016- Present Grant Review Board Autism Speaks
2018- Present Mentor Program Participant UPS
Additional Comments
With the phenomenal leadership and the personal development that he received at Easley High School, he evolved from a small-town student to an athlete at the highest levels. In addition to the teachers who pushed him, as a high school athlete, Rico also had my family, coaches and other influences who encouraged him along the way. After high school, he was able to complete my bachelor’s degree in four years as a student athlete—all influenced by the grounding and support he received during his time growing up in Pickens County. After college, Rico had the opportunity to pursue a career and earn a living in professional athletics. Playing professional sports molded him into a well-rounded individual for my post-athletic career. The foundation he received has allowed him to be a very successful corporate business professional, evolving the same traits and skills he learned into a management role in a Fortune 50 company, United Parcel Service (UPS). His interests in community efforts and building personal and professional networks has led him to become an ambassador in my community for efforts related to child development, special needs children, parental coaching and has also returned me to my love of sports. Having been with UPS for nine years, He still remembers many of the lessons he learned as a young man that influence the decisions that he makes every day.
Personally, He has the number one priority of raising two beautiful children—Cameron, 14 and Ava, 13. They make it all real for him and he sees the benefits that having positive influences can allow a child to reach their highest goals in life.
Currently, He has been involved in philanthropy through raising an autistic son. His primary efforts have been geared directly towards making an impact on the lives of other families with special needs. Started in 2013, the Cameron Isaiah Foundation seeks to provide financial assistance, therapy and mentoring for children across the autistic spectrum. We believe through our efforts, we can make an impact and bring about transformation on our world. The goal is to be a catalyst for more dreams to be realized and more lives to be improved. We help people work together towards a more empowered and satisfying life.
Our Partners
The Professional Athletes Foundation of the NFLPA
The Cameron Isaiah Foundation for Autism is honored to announce The Award of The 2019 PAF Charitable Grant Recipient.