Holding the Hope & Austin Varco: A 2026 Partnership Built on Resilience
PORTLAND, OR
Holding the Hope Peer Support Training Center, a national leader in behavioral health training, recovery advocacy, and suicide prevention, is proud to announce an official 2026 partnership with professional racing driver Austin Varco. Specifically, this collaboration unites two forces dedicated to resilience, excellence, and the transformative power of lived experience.
A Shared Mission of Hope and Success
Austin Varco, 26, is recognized as the first openly diagnosed autistic driver in his series. Although he was formally diagnosed with Level 1 Autism at age 20, he has successfully utilized his platform to champion global awareness and acceptance. Furthermore, his career serves as a testament to the idea that unconventional neurobiology can contribute to extraordinary talents, such as relentless focus and enhanced sensory processing.
“Holding the Hope shares a lot of the values I have off the racetrack,” says Varco. “Ultimately, I hope what we can do together helps those with developmental disabilities to live happier, more independent lives”.
Consequently, throughout the 2026 racing season, Holding the Hope branding will be prominently featured on Varco’s racecars as a symbol of inspiration and a reminder that success is possible through hardship.
About Austin Varco
Varco’s racing journey began at the young age of 3. Since then, he has achieved numerous milestones that highlight his professional growth:
- Championships & Awards: He won Rookie of the Year, placed as the Spec Miata Championship runner-up, and was named the First Gear Mazda Challenge Champion in 2022.
- Professional Debut: In addition to his grassroots success, he made his professional endurance debut in the World Racing League GP1 Championship and recently debuted in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Spec Truck class.
- Advocacy: He founded Race4Autism in 2022. As a result, this initiative has impacted over 10,000 families and raised nearly $10,000 for local non-profits.
About Holding the Hope Peer Support Training Center
Founded in 2005 by Mary Jadwisiak, Holding the Hope celebrates over 20 years of being a peer-owned and operated service. Today, the organization specializes in building recovery-focused systems and peer support programs.
- Training Excellence: They offer live training with national experts on the 2nd Thursday of each month, alongside on-demand courses designed for every budget.
- Expert Consulting: Moreover, they provide program design and workforce development based on SAMHSA’s 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery.
Proven Impact: Over the last two decades, they have provided expert consulting to international corporations, state governments, and behavioral health agencies.
Contact Information
For more information regarding the partnership or training opportunities, please contact:
Holding the Hope Peer Support Training Center
Website: www.peersupporttrainingcenter.com