New Jersey Chapter of Autism Speaks Awards Grants to Support Local Organizations
Princeton, NJ, November 19, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, has awarded close to $930,000 in grants to 141 community organizations nationwide that provide services and improve the quality of life for people with autism. Among the recipients: an anti-bullying campaign, a career networking workshop, as well as specialized training for first responders to improve the safety of the autism community. The applications were reviewed by local Autism Speaks volunteers to get feedback and recommendations on how to best meet the needs of their local communities.
The Autism Speaks Family Services grant programs are focused on building the field of services for individuals with autism and expanding the capacity to effectively serve this growing community in the areas of education, recreation and community activities, young adult and adult services, as well as equipment and supportive technology.
Autism Speaks is delighted to be able to support these programs, which are not only providing important services to people with autism in their local communities, but also serving as models that we hope and expect will be replicated elsewhere.
Lisa Goring, Autism Speaks Executive Vice President of Programs and Services
Special Needs Athletic Program (SNAP) of Morristown, NJ was awarded $25,000 through the Family Services Community Grants program to help put an end to bullying by educating students throughout the country with the e-Learning educational initiative “Kindness is Cool”. “Kindness is Cool” would pair an online, kid-friendly, e-learning series with hands-on, teacher-led modules that allow students (grades three to five) to experience what it is like to have a disability.
Recipients of Autism Speaks’ Chapter Grants were awarded up to $5,000 for programs addressing needs and concerns in the local autism community. Local recipients in New Jersey include: Hope Autism Solutions in Basking Ridge, POAC in Brick, Department for Persons with Disabilities in Oak Ridge, Rowan University in Glassboro, SKN Foundation in Hillsborough and Tend to a Friend in Somerset. Grants provide funding for first responder trainings, career and transition workshops, recreation and educational opportunities to name a few.
Five of this year’s Chapter Grant recipients in New Jersey were funded by a generous donation from The Karma Foundation, and a sixth organization was funded by a grant from Eickhoff Shop Rite of Burlington County.
“Autism Speaks is delighted to be able to support these programs, which are not only providing important services to people with autism in their local communities, but also serving as models that we hope and expect will be replicated elsewhere,” said Lisa Goring, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “We are grateful to our local volunteer grant reviewers who offer valuable insight into the most effective ways to impact their local communities through grant funding.”
A full list of grant recipients, as well as a searchable grants database, can be found at AutismSpeaks (dot) org. All applicants have also been added to the Autism Speaks Family Services Resource Guide. Applications for the 2015 grants will become available early next year.
About Autism
Autism is a general term describing a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders (ASD). They are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in 68 children in this country – and 1 in 42 boys. There is no cure, but in recent years, scientists have identified a number of rare gene changes associated with autism. Researchers are working to unlock the clues to the autism puzzle.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of people with autism and their families. Bob and Suzanne Wright, whose grandson has autism, founded Autism Speaks in 2005. Since then, the organization has committed $500 million to research and resources for families. Each year, Walk Now for Autism Speaks events take place in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has international partnerships in more than 60 countries on seven continents to foster research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks (dot) org.