Riding the Spectrum
for Autism, 1st Annual Poker Run, will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Britt Motorsports in Wilmington, NC.
Motorcycles and cars can participate in our 1st Annual Riding the
Spectrum for Autism Poker Run. Register at Britt Motorsports, 6431 Market
Street in Wilmington, NC on Saturday, April 28th. Registration is from
9:30am until 11:00am. Kick Stands Up at 11:00am. Participants will
leave Britt Motorsports and travel to each of 5 stops, where they will get a
playing card at each stop. Returning to Britt Motorsports around 2:00pm to
see who has the best (and worse) poker hand! While the participants of the
Poker Run are traveling, there will be lots of fun, family activities for others
at Britt Motorsports - raffles, food, music, Dane Britt will entertain us with
stunts, and other fun activities. All proceeds will benefit A.S.A.P.
Please join us!
ASAP is committed to offering choices for all participants to
become involved in the community. Allowing our participants to actively
form therapeutic relationships throughout the community is very rewarding and
encourages everyone to further develop their social skills. ASAP currently
has formed the following community relationships and will be persistent in
actively gaining other community connections as our program expands.
Woodbury Wellness Center - visiting residents and
actively participating with them in their recreational activities.
First and Families - organize and stock shelves of
food pantry after being donated from individuals or other agencies.
B.P.O. Elks Lodge - attend dances and other fun
and exciting social events.
Cardinal Lanes Beach Bowl - attend weekly bowling
events with games and music.
Airlie Gardens - fun and educational outing to
view the valuable ecological component of New Hanover County.
Arboretum - peaceful outing to view the blooming
flowers and new emerging plant life.
Many heartfelt thanks go out to the
Landfall Foundation's generous award for our Sunrise Program!
The Landfall Foundation was formed to support
Wilmington charities. It has allowed the Landfall community an
opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our city by distributing
grants to smaller organizations that are often under funded. Although
small, these local charities and causes meet broad and vital community
needs.
PENDER
COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A mother's dream has come true with the opening of a
new group home and day center for people with autism near Hampstead.
Judy Clark is the mother of two autistic young men who are
essentially her world. Dylan, 18, and Remly, 19, are full of charm and
personality, and Judy wouldn't change a thing about them. "Their
autism is part of who they are, and they wouldn't be the same boys
without it," said Judy.
Despite their charm, Remly's autism was especially difficult to
handle, so eight years ago Judy had no choice but to check him into a
special facility near Raleigh. She said it was a painful decision to
make.
From the day Remly was checked into the facility, Judy vowed to find
a way to have her two boys together again, at home. Now, nearly a
decade later, her wish is finally coming true.
Several years ago Judy founded
Autism
Support and Programs (ASAP), an organization that supports people
with autism. Over the years the program and staff grew, adding a new
day center and group home designed for people with autism.
Everything about the center was planned especially for its residents
- from the colors on the walls to a special planner that lets them know
who will take care of them each day.
Now, Judy's two sons can be reunited at the home, Rainbow Farms,
where they'll be living together, helping each other learn how to
interact with others.
ASAP is hosting a free benefit concert this Saturday at Poplar Grove
Plantation.
Saturday, Nov. 7
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Poplar Grove Plantation
FREE
Beer Garden, Silent Auction, Cash Raffle, Pony Rides, Face Painting,
Lots of musical acts
WILMINGTON -- A local mother of two autistic boys
has turned the challenges of her situation into a
blessing for many other families. She was able to
single-handedly start a summer school for autistic
children.
Judy Clark started the summer school 10
years ago to help her own autistic boys.
Clark said, "They weren't invited to sleep-overs
like regular kids, they didn't get involved in
T-ball and other activities, so I knew there need to
be a place for kids with autism to go."
She began the program in her garage as it grew,
it moved to Alderman Elementary. It's now called the
Autism Spectrum Alternative Program Summer School.
Robin Ange's child attends ASAP school. She said,
"I just love it because it gives him structure and
it's a continuation of what he's learning in school.
It's not just like a baby sitting service."
Clark said, "They do academic skills, social
skills, self help skills… Those are the three things
that we look at."
Every day the students spend time in the sensory
room where they get to exercise, work on their
social skills and get some tactile stimulation.
But it's not just about having a good time.
Jared Simpson attends ASAP School. He said,
"Yeah, I learn a lot."
The kids work on reading, writing and arithmetic.
This won't be the last summer school for Jared.
He'll be back as long as the funding is there.
Clark said, "One of our primary donors has
decided that this year they were not going to be
able to help support us. I found that out this
morning. We'll make it though."
Clark's dedication, drive and desire will see the
program through. She said, "The love I think that
all of us as a group is just tremendous and that's
what motivated me to start this program because I
love people with autism they're my passion."
Judy says she's willing to pay money out of her
own pocket to make sure the program is around next
year.
There is no charge to attend the summer school.
The program is funded by donations and fundraisers.
