A Source Of Information & Support For Families 
Affected By Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

As I write this morning we've $9,850 in sponsorships and walkers & runnrs have raised $24,258. In the middle of a Pandemic that's pretty good.Our thanks to the Super Heroes who are our Committee for this event. Our Committee members excluding staff, raised over $7,296. Staff members have raised over $5,000. Self Advocates have contributed as well Tyler's Terrific Team raised $400, while Stephen Perkins secured sponsors and donated his artwork for a raffle ( see below) A true philanthropist, Julie Atherton raised $1620 alone without a run there was no Team Strength and Covid put the Kybosh on the Queens For Autism Night, which was sorely missed, we love our Queens and hope we 'll see them back next year. Our Advisory Council has raised over $3,000.00 Team Puglisi led the way, what a powerhouse! We want to salute these superheroes . They obviously were not alone for we have raised over $35,000. There are other teams that deserve mention, our friends at Moody Street raised over $1835 and helped us with our super hero trivia night! Emilie Tomekowou's family raised over $860 that's impressive, The Sister Squad has been running for years and didn't let covid get in their way raising $680 while new kids Stephanie Dulong and her Small but Mighty Team raised over $1230 and Stacey Latham and her Super Dupers pulled in $730. Our Long time members the Camfields won at trivia and raised over $500. Their are more teams and individuals who've been diligent in their support and our gratitude is immense. So perhaps you are wondering how you can help? .........The answer?

BUY RAFFLE TICKETS !! Then tune in to our Facebook Page on Saturday Morning at 10 AM when we will have our closing ceremony and draw the winners of the raffles.

We have more raffles than you can shake a stick at!
Local Autistic Artist Raffle
Art by Advisory Council Member Stephen Perkins
See the picture above of the Lighthouse below? Our Council Member Stephen Perkins is an artist. Like former President George Bush, Stephen has taken up art in his retirement and has graciously donated an origianl 9x12 lighthouse oil painting titled "Life Is Good" shown above as a special auction item. Tickets are $25.00 each. Click here to learn more about Stephen and to buy your ticket to this very special raffle (Rumor has it that our Director of Operations REALLY wants to win this painting. ) .

SUPER RAFFLE
Our Super Raffle includes two chances to win either a beautiful handmade quilt or an X-Box Plus your tickets are then included in the other Super Hero Raffle which has over 20 prizes To order Super Raffle Tickets click here. As I said the Super Hero Raffle has lots of prizes and lots of opportunities to win as your name stays in the drawing if you win one prize. The more tickets you buy the more chances you'll have to win ! $5.00 gets you 6 chances to win every single prize - Spend $50 and you'll have 60 chances to win every prize. To see the list of prizes and to order Super Hero Raffle Tickets click here

Enter YOUR Super Hero in the Photo or Video Contest
This one is pretty quick and easy to do. Simply click here and then upload a picture of your super hero - It might be your kid or a sibling or maybe Grandma who helps out and makes life doable ! Then post the link to your super hero and ask friends and family members to vote for them Each vote is $1.00 - It adds up ! And it helps your Center.

Buy 50/50 Raffle Tickets
The more we buy the bigger the pot for both the winner and the Center. For years it was my job to walk around the track yelling "Get your 50/50 Raffle Tickets here, 50/50 Raffle tickets here!" and sell the tickets You spend $5 and get 1 chance, Spend $10 and get 3 chances! C'mon, take a chance, click here and "Get your 50/50 Raffle Tickets Here!"
Congratulate Deb Henderson
Our New Autism Waiver Supervisor
As we plan for the future here at the Center, we need to have in place someone who can pick up the duties of the Autism Waiver Supervisor as Kris Cariglia becomes the Director in June when Sue Loring will retire. We are committed to having a seamless transition because our families have been through enough trauma and difficulties this year with Covid 19.
Deb joined the Center in April 2018 as an Autism Waiver Support Broker and in that role she has consistently demonstrated her capability to locate, and provide what her families need and her understanding of the waiver's regulations. She genuinely cares about the families she serves and goes above and beyond to support them.
 She holds a bachelors in neuroscience and behavioral biology with a minor in sociology from Emory University. Deb worked as a direct support in ABA during college, while also volunteering at a local Boys and Girls club tutoring local children in Atlanta. Deb served as a mentor for teens of alcoholic parents for five years. She volunteered with a program, Building Dreams, mentoring children of parents who were currently or had been incarcerated and Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to those in need. Deb currently serves as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in foster care where she advocates for them and provides emotional support as their cases move through the court process.
Join us in congratulating Deb on her new role at the Center, having her in this position will allow Kris to step back from that role as she fully assumes the duties of Director.
April Autism Events
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April is "Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month. We offer a listing here of the many activities scheduled across the state, the country and even the world to mark this month through education that will improve understanding.
Autism Awareness and Acceptance Events
DDS SELF DIRECTED SERVICES

Please Join us for an interactive discussion about expanding choices and control in your life through Self Directed Supports . This is an opportunity to hear how individuals and families can design individualized Services to meet their needs through the Participant Directed Program or Agency with Choice. There are several dates and times this is being offered . To register contact jennifer.r.benoit@mass.gov
Autism 101 - Beginning the Journey
Accessing Public Supports
Autism 101 continues this Thursday evening with
Director Kris Cariglia reviewing the array of public supports available to families who are raising a child with autism. It costs on average over $105,000 a year to raise a child with ASD compared to $62,000 for a child without a disability. There are public supports that can help you meet your child's needs without declaring bankruptcy Come learn from the expert, what is available, how to apply and pitfalls to avoid.
Words up to Ponder
from individuals in the Autism Community.

"
"I cannot speak. For whatever reason God has intended for me
to be mute. Many people might believe that I cannot think, but despite their thinking I can. What’s more is that I listen. "

– Neal Katz