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

Now that the walk is over we can turn our attention to other things, like the the Asics Falmouth Road Race! YES once again we have charity bib numbers that we can assign to runners who want to support our Center and participate in this much desired road race. The Asics Falmouth Road Race is a prestigious race for runners and this year's race is a Hybrid race with some people racing remotely, and some participating in the race in Falmouth. Runners with charity numbers, like ours, must commit to raising $750 for the organization. Interested? Contact Kris Cariglia at 508-2981606

Today is the last day to submit a T-Shirt design to the Worcester Bravehearts for their Autism Awareness Jersey. We have so many talented artists in the Autism Community we hope that a self advocate, who also is an artist will submit a design. All the details can be found on the Bravehearts Website . We'll be involved in the judging for the winning design. Cid & Kris will be among the judges ! Thanks to Advisory Council Rob Papazian for making this happen!

I'm thrilled to share that our kids are also going the extra mile to support our Center Luca Puglisi was nominated for a Dougie Award from the Doug Flutie Junior Foundation. The Dougie Awards recognize eight everyday HEROES who were nominated on social media for their impact in the autism community this past year. The winners received a $500 donation from the Flutie Foundation to the autism-serving organization they are affiliated with or support. Luca was recognized for an Active & Social award, Luca is always onboard for an adventure, He participates in activities here a the Center, tackling the ropes course at Ramblewild, participating as a camper at Camp Havvago as well as the high challenge water sports at AcesSports America and windsurfing with Surfers Healing. He participated in our Autism Super Hero 5K raising over $1781.00 and Team Puglisi raised over $2221.00 ! The Dougie Award means the Center will receive another $500 thanks to Luca!

Over a year ago Matthew Gleason decided he wanted to do something to support the Center and he began to solicit prizes for a Calendar raffle and then - Covid happened . Like every one else Matthew found that businesses were doing less community philanthropy and donations were hard to find. So Matthew donated what prizes he had secured to the Center and they were used as prizes for our Super Raffle last Saturday. Thank You Matthew for your support!

Our Autism 101 series wraps up with an organizational workshop this Thursday at 6:30 PM . We hope the series has been helpful to those who attended .

Finally, we want to thank all of our Super Heroes who raised money, walked, ran, donated raffle prizes, played trivia with us and bought raffle tickets. For a list of prize winners please click here. Winners can call the Center at 508-835-4278 to arrange a pick up time. Remember your pages will remain open for donations until June 3oth. To watch an incredible video of our memories of 21 years of walking together, put together by Abby Marlborough click here. Thank you to our amazing walk committee for all your hard work. Heidi, Patrick, Jill, Chris, Yvette, Cid and Heather we are beyond grateful . The Team has already begun to plan next year's 5K which we hope will be a LIVE event. The past two years have been certainly a challenge and those who continued to support us in our time of need are surely Super Heroes.

We'll see you all next year!

Kris & Sue

Congratulate Bethany Jensen
Our New Autism Waiver Senior Broker
As we plan for the future here at the Center, we need to have in place someone who can support our new the Autism Waiver Supervisor train and mentor new brokers as they learn their job. We are committed to having a seamless transition because staff have been through enough trauma and difficulties this year with Covid 19 and now a change in leadership !
Bethany joined the Center in April 2018 as an Autism Waiver Support Broker and in that role she has demonstrated her ability to locate, and provide what her families need and her understanding of the waiver's regulations.
Bethany joined the HARC team after a long history in the Special Education field. Starting in middle school, volunteering in a program called, “Circle of Friends.” She traveled around the Worcester county area putting on shows using puppets with various special needs. In high school, she continued volunteering, working in the choir helping peers with learning disabilities, learn all the lyrics and their singing parts. Music is still a passion for Bethany and her husband, where she sometimes lends background vocals to her husband’s Christian Rock band, Faith’s Road. Bethany started her professional career working in group homes, and even spent a time working for DYS. She began working with the Autism community as a Special Education Teacher’s Assistant at the Durham Center for Education. After having her son, she became an in-home ABA therapist, so she could be home more with her family. Her past experience and three years here working as an autism support broker has prepared Bethany to take on this leadership role as we reorganize our waiver staff for the future.
May is Mental Health Month
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PPAL Virtual Conference
June 4, 2021

April is "Autism MAy i sMental Health Month and it is appropriate that it follows Autism Acceptance Month as so many who are challenged by autism also have comorbid mental health conditions. We will share this month Mental Health conferences and workshops .
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
CALLING ALL LEGO MANIACS
Keep your eyes open for the next Lego group, we'll be taking it to the next level with
LEGO CHAIN REACTIONS.
With some specialty bricks supplied by the Center and your own standard bricks you will be able to build some amazing moving machines and watch chain reactions. Watch for Registration to open soon!

Sibshop - Calling All Sibs
Let's Get Together!
This will be the final Sibshop of the year and Sue's LAST Sibshop as well. We've had some technical difficulties this year getting the word out so that Sibs could come together, Zoom burnout for EVERYONE and we'vebbeen unable to find a day that works so we're heading back to Friday Afternoon JOIN US!
Words up to Ponder
from individuals in the Autism Community.

"At the end of the day, we don’t dream our lives…
WE LIVE THEM!"

– Anthony Ianni