<![CDATA[Making Strides For Autism: Creating a More Autism-Friendly Community | We Connect the Community To Autism - Blog]]>Sun, 07 Aug 2022 15:15:35 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Announcing 2nd annual friends with autism 5k/walk & autism awareness month kickoff keynote speaker]]>Wed, 06 Feb 2019 19:20:48 GMThttp://makingstridesforautism.org/blog/announcing-2nd-annual-friends-with-autism-5kwalk-autism-awareness-month-kickoff-keynote-speaker
Making Strides For Autism is thrilled to announce Haley Moss, Attorney, Author, Artist, and Autism Advocate, as the 2nd annual Friends With Autism 5K/Walk and Autism Month Kickoff Keynote Speaker.

Haley Moss was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and is now a practicing attorney in Miami, Florida. She graduated with her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2018, and graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 with Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Criminology.
 
She is a renowned visual pop artist and the author of Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About” and A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About. She also was the illustrator and a contributor for the Autism Women’s Network anthology “What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew.” Her writing has been featured in HuffPost, Elite Daily, The Mighty, and other websites and publications.

Haley was most recently honored with the 2019 Occhigrossi Family Youth in Service Award, the 2018 Publix Self-Advocate of the Year, the 2018 UM-NSU CARD Outstanding Self-Advocate, and the 2018 Voices of Hope Honoree by Birch Family Services in New York City. She was also recognized as a BlogHer 2016 Voices of the Year honoree and one of South Florida’s Young Leaders in Philanthropy. She was also presented with the Council For Exceptional Children’s Yes I Can! International Award in April 2011. Haley created the featured artwork as well as being presented with the Teen Hero Award at the 10th Annual Samsung Hope for Children event in June 2011.

She is currently serving on the constituency board for UM-NSU and previously served on the board of Unicorn Village Academy.  Learn more about Haley Moss at www.haleymossart.com. 

​We look forward to hearing from her at the 2nd annual Friends With Autism 5K/Walk and Autism Month Kickoff on Sunday, April 7 at the Northbank Riverwalk/Riverside Arts Market in Jacksonville, FL.

Join as we kickoff autism month at the 2nd annual friends with autism 5k/walk and autism month kickoff
Our 2nd annual Friends With Autism 5K/Walk is more than just a Run and a Walk - it's a fun time for the entire community to come together and raise awareness and acceptance for families and people on the autism spectrum in Northeast Florida! It's also the largest resource fair in Northeast Florida for the autism community.  Visit the 5k/Walk page to learn more about our this year's event. 

]]><![CDATA[Jacksonville icemen foundation donate over $23,000 to making strides for autism]]>Fri, 01 Feb 2019 01:12:31 GMThttp://makingstridesforautism.org/blog/jacksonville-icemen-foundation-donate-over-23000-to-making-strides-for-autism
A huge thank you to the Jacksonville Icemen Foundation for their generous donation of $23,480 to Making Strides For Autism. These funds, raised at their Inaugural Autism Awareness Night Game on November 24th, 2018 will help to make our community more accessible and inclusive for families and people on the autism spectrum.

We're also thankful to have been extended an opportunity to partner with the Jacksonville Icemen, Icemen Business Development Manager Carli Faust, their hard-working staff, Presenting Sponsor Sláinte Chiropractic, and local service providers to offer the first fully inclusive and accessible sporting event for autism families in Northeast Florida.
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Their EPIC game : donated 840 tickets to autism families, provided Making Strides For Autism's Mobile Sensory Room and Sensory Bags, a Guide to the Game Social Story, autism resources by local/national providers, PSAs from local autism families, and the first Autism Jerseys auctioned off by a sports team in our region. We truly thank the Jacksonville Icemen for investing their resources and leadership for the enrichment of the Jacksonville area. #FriendsWithAutism #MoreInclusiveLocationsToCome 💙💙💙
]]><![CDATA[Making strides for autism and JUMBO SHRIMP HOST AUTISM AWARENESS GAME]]>Sat, 12 May 2018 03:29:31 GMThttp://makingstridesforautism.org/blog/making-strides-for-autism-and-jumbo-shrimp-host-autism-awareness-gameFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2018

Making Strides for Autism and the Jumbo Shrimp have partnered to host an Autism Awareness Game and Inclusion Outing on Sunday, June 10, 2018

JACKSONVILLE, FL, May 11, 2018– Making Strides for Autism and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp have partnered to host an Inclusion Outing for Autism Awareness on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp game versus the Biloxi Shuckers. Funding for approximately 20 families (80 tickets total) with autistic members is provided by the HEAL Foundation. Game day tickets will also be sold to the general public and autism families. 

“HEAL is honored to underwrite 80 tickets to the Jumbo Shrimp Autism Awareness Game on June 10 and congratulates Making Strides For Autism on this very special Inclusion Outing!” – Jason Gurka, Executive Director HEAL Foundation.

As a fundraising event, Making Strides for Autism will receive $4 from each ticket purchased at $9 per ticket. To support the autistic participants in the event, Making Strides for Autism will provide Sensory Bags to inclusion outing participants for use at the game.  They will also set up their Mobile Sensory Room on site to children that may become overwhelmed during the game and need a break.

“We are thrilled to host this inclusive event at the Jumbo Shrimp game. Autism Spectrum Disorder affects nearly 25,000 individuals in Northeast Florida, and it is wonderful to have community groups like the Jumbo Shrimp support our efforts to connect the community to autism.” – Carrence Bass, President/CEO and Founder Making Strides For Autism, Inc.

Funds raised will be used to help provide more Inclusion Outings, Sensory Bags, and their autism employment programs to people on the autism spectrum and their families.  Tickets can be purchased at www.bit.ly/ms4ashrimp using the Password “Autism”.

ABOUT MAKING STRIDES FOR AUTISM:  Making Strides For Autism, Inc. (MS4A) was founded in March 2016.  We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a social enterprise business model.  At Making Strides For Autism, Inc., our goal is to create a community that is more welcoming and inclusive for autism families.  We strive to lessen the emotional and financial impact of autism on families and people living in Northeast Florida with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  We are dedicated to providing support, training, and advocacy to those we serve; creating job training and meaningful jobs for people with autism, and to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on families and society. From Small Steps, To Making Strides: We Connect the Community to Autism. www.makingstridesforautism.org  
 
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy, and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

ABOUT THE HEAL FOUNDATION:  Established in 2004 by Leslie and Bobby Weed, the HEAL (Helping Enrich Autistic Lives) Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Northeast Florida.  Since 2007, the HEAL Foundation has granted over $2 million dollars to the local autism community, assisting thousands of children, teens and adults through specialized programs, camps, educational enhancements, iPads and autism service dogs. HEAL’s newest initiative is iHEAL – iPads Helping Enrich Autistic Lives.  After witnessing the progress students with autism are making with iPads, the foundation was inspired to purchase over 350 iPads to date and donate them to Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classrooms in the counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns.HealAutismNow.org

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If you would like more information about this topic, please visit www.makingstridesforautism.org, contact Carrence Bass at 904.862.6040 or email at info@makingstridesforautism.org.

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]]><![CDATA[Enterprise holdings foundation donates $1500 to making strides for autism, inc. for the friends with autism initiative]]>Thu, 12 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMThttp://makingstridesforautism.org/blog/enterprise-holdings-foundation-donates-1500-to-making-strides-for-autism-inc-for-the-friends-with-autism-initiativeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2018

JACKSONVILLE, FL, APRIL 12, 2018-- The Enterprise Holdings Foundation has donated $1500 to Making Strides For Autism, Inc. for the Friends With Autism Initiative.  The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings, which, through its integrated global network of independent regional subsidiaries and franchises, operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from Enterprise Holdings Foundation.  Autism Spectrum Disorder affects nearly 25,000 individuals in Northeast Florida, and it is wonderful to have community groups like the Enterprise Holdings Foundation  support our efforts to connect the community to autism.” – Carrence Bass, President/CEO and Founder Making Strides For Autism, Inc.

On Thursday, March 29th, Aaron Butler, Area Rental Manager, Rent-A-Car Division stopped by to deliver the check from Enterprise Holdings Foundation to Making Strides For Autism.  Mr. Butler was joined by Timothy Foxx, Area Rental Manager for a formal check presentation at the 3rd annual World Autism Awareness Kickoff last Sunday, April 8, 2018 to the Making Strides For Autism Board of Directors and the autism community.  The Friends With Autism Initiative, which provides support, training, and advocacy for local individuals with autism and their families.  This program is designed to create more autism-friendly businesses, provide sensory bags, improve accommodations and support, offer community health education about autism and sensory awareness, and provide career experience and jobs for autistic adults throughout the community.
 
ABOUT MAKING STRIDES FOR AUTISM: 
Making Strides For Autism, Inc. (MS4A) was founded in March 2016.  We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a social enterprise business model.  At Making Strides For Autism, Inc., our goal is to create a community that is more welcoming and inclusive for autism families.  We strive to lessen the emotional and financial impact of autism on families and people living in Northeast Florida with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  We are dedicated to providing support, training, and advocacy to those we serve; creating job training and meaningful jobs for people with autism, and to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on families and society. From Small Steps To Making Strides... We connect the community to autism. 

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If you would like more information about this topic, please visit www.makingstridesforautism.org, contact Carrence Bass at 904.862.6040 or email at info@makingstridesforautism.org.
]]><![CDATA[Making strides for autism ribbon cutting & 2nd year anniversary celebration]]>Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMThttp://makingstridesforautism.org/blog/making-strides-for-autism-ribbon-cutting-2nd-year-anniversary-celebrationNonprofit Connects the Community to Autism with New Office Opening in Jacksonville on Friday, April 13, 2018

Jacksonville, FL—Making Strides For Autism is pleased to announce they will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and 2nd year anniversary celebration for its recently opened office. 

 “We’re happy to open our first office to both the local community and to our clients who will benefit from the services and programs.” said Carrence Bass, President/CEO and Founder of Making Strides For Autism. “The ribbon-cutting ceremony and 2nd year anniversary for Making Strides For Autism marks the launch of our Friends With Autism Initiative.  We’re extremely humbled and thankful for the support of the Jacksonville Community.  We’re looking forward to partnering with local businesses to create a more autism-friendly community.”

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will facilitate the 4:30pm ribbon-cutting featuring remarks from Jax Chamber Representative Tina Robbins, Chief of Disabled Services Division/ADA Coordinator City of Jacksonville Kevin McDaniel, and Making Strides For Autism President/CEO and Founder Carrence Bass.  Local officials and business owners will assist in congratulating Making Strides For Autism on opening its first office and 2nd year anniversary.

To further extend its commitment to autism families, autistic adults, veterans, and the local community, the Friends With Autism Initiative is being launched to provide new autism-friendly training, consulting, a Popup Sensory Break Room, and Sensory Bags to help make businesses more welcoming and accommodating to the autism community.  Support groups, family inclusion outings, job training, and meaningful jobs will be offered to autistic adults and families.  We will also offer E.F.M.P. transition support services to veteran parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through our partnership with the Northeast Florida Women Veterans.

“Our Sensory Bags will create jobs for autistic adults and women veterans in Northeast Florida.” said Christian McNeill, Board Member of Making Strides For Autism. “Our bags will be available at local businesses that have partnered with Making Strides For Autism.  Our goal is to offer them to businesses nationwide and provide 200 free bags to autism families in our community by the end of 2018.”

The new office is just one-mile from downtown, inside of the Northeast Florida Women Veterans’ building.  The public is invited to tour the facilities, meet the staff and board at 2133 Broadway Ave, in Jacksonville on April 3rd between 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  Followed by refreshments provided by Making Strides For Autism.  Please R.S.V.P. at www.bit.ly/ms4aopening

About Making Strides For Autism, Inc.:
Making Strides For Autism, Inc. (MS4A) was founded in March 2016.  We're a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with a social enterprise business model.  At Making Strides For Autism, Inc., our goal is to create a community that is more welcoming and inclusive for autism families.  We strive to lessen the emotional and financial impact of autism on families and people living in Northeast Florida with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  We are dedicated to providing support, training, and advocacy to those we serve; creating job training and meaningful jobs for people with autism, and to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on families and society. From Small StepsTo Making Strides... We connect the community to autism. 

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If you would like more information about this topic, please visit www.makingstridesforautism.org , contact Carrence Bass at 904.862.6040 or email at carrence.bass@makingstridesforautism.org.
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