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The Resource Connection
Weekly Update
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The countdown is on for the election. The Presidential debates began this Monday. Tuesday was national voter registration day . While I would not presume to advise you who to vote for, I would encourage you to make the effort to vote. This year's race has been fairly rancorous, and the focus has not always been on issues confronting our nation. I've heard many people bemoan the choices, say they are disgusted and won't bother, but we can NOT afford to do that. So much is at stake, including the supports for our families and adults on the spectrum .
Are YOU registered to vote? If your child on the spectrum is an adult are THEY registered? The last day to register for this fall's election is October 19th. People with disabilities are able to vote and should.
In the coming weeks, if you and your adult child decide that they should participate in the election, be sure to include them in discussions of issues facing our nation, in watching the debates, and help them understand what the process of voting looks like. You will be able to stand in line with them and help them check in, at the polling place. Help them know ahead of time about the candidates and who they want to vote for so that they are prepared. Explain what the ballot looks like in your district.
There are three ways to register to vote.
You can register on-line if you have an RMV photo ID or drivers license. This may be the least stressful option.
Don't have an RMV ID?
This means a trip to the RMV to obtain a photo ID. But you will use this in many other ways, we all need photo ID's, so despite the crowds and long wait, it is a good thing to do. If you manage to get the ID without succumbing to sensory overload you can then register to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
PACIO (Political And Civic Involvement Opportunities) of Massachusetts is running a voting drive before the deadline at The Price Chopper at 221 Park Ave in Worcester from 12 Noon to 3 PM on Saturday October 15th. They especially would like to see people with disabilities exercise their rights to vote.
I'll be there with them so stop by!
A bit about PACIO
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It's Sibshop Time
What are Sibshops? For the adults who run them and for the agencies that sponsor them, Sibshops are evidence of their loving concern for the family member who will have the longest-lasting relationship with a person who has a disability. However, for the kids who attend them, Sibshops are pedal-to-the-metal events where they will meet other sibs (usually for the first time), have fun, laugh, talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sib with special needs, play some great games, learn something about the services their brothers and sister receive, and have some more fun.
Our Sibshops are limited to siblings with brothers and sisters on the autism spectrum. Children who particiate range from age seven to their teens. Our First Sibshop of the year will be on Saturday October 1, 2016 at the Center.
We'll be making our own sandwiches and weather permitting we'll picnic by the reservoir. Plans for the menus for the fall Sibshops ( in October & November) will be made. Given the business of teh holiday season we take December off but resume in January and meet through March. We take April off since we're a little busy that month and end the year with a Family Cookout.
Through the year we learn about each other, ourselves and autism, while having a blast. Some kids participate in every Sibshop through the year while others have other commitments and particicpate when they can. We hope that your Sibs will be part of this great group!
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This is a shout out to all siblings who are college students. We are seeking students to help us bring our campaign #Giveitup4autism to campuses. Students have mad social network skills and we'd love to have the campaign spread across the local college campuses this fall raising awareness and responses to our annual Giving Tuesday initiative. It is our fundraising that makes so much of what we do possible, like camp, Breezy Picnic Grounds, Movies & more. If you grew up enjoying those activities here's a chance to make the magic continue !
Interested Sibs can contact Wanja Kiraguri , we look forward to hearing from you! We know that most siblings do not subscribe to our weekly update, but hope that parents will share this with them.
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, November 29, 2016, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. It's a simple idea. Join us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.
What is
#GIVEITUP4AUTISM
? Last year, HMEA's Autism Resource Central started a movement, where supporters gave something up for the month of November, and repurposed that money by donating it to Autism Resource Central on GivingTuesday.
People gave up things that they could live without such as their daily Dunkin's coffee, that extra bottle of wine, and weekend shopping with friends.To share their stories, they made short video clips (which can be done on your phone) and stated what they would give up and then passed the challenge along to their friends. These short video clips were posted on social media with the hashtags
#Giveitup4autism #GivingTuesday.
This year, we would like to have at least 100 short video clips posted throughout September and October by supporters stating what we will give up during the month of November in order to donate to the center on #GivingTuesday, post your video to
https://www.facebook.com/autismresourcecenter/.
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September
SEPTEMBER
September 28, 2016
Parents of Girls Support Group
7-9 PM
Pizza & Games for girls runs
concurrently
September 28, 2016
Parents of Adults with Autism Support Group
Southbridge Bank
200 Charlton Rd., Sturbridge
6:30PM - 8:30PM
October 5, 2016
Parents of Adults
Support Group
7-9 PM
October 12, 2016
Parents of Children
Support Group
7-9 PM
October 12, 2016
Parents of Adults with Autism Support Group
Leominster Library - Friends Room
30 West St., Leominster
6:30PM - 8:30PM
October 15, 2016
Dad's Day Out
UMASS Minutemen
vs
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Gillette Stadium Foxboro
3:30 -6:30 PM
Cost $2.00/pp
October 17, 2016
Parents And Tots
4:30- 5:30 PM
October 19, 2016
Parents of Teens Group
APPS for Autism
Matthew Provost Tech Access
7-9 PM
ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP
Teen Ice Cream Sundae & Game
Social Group runs concurrently
October 19, 2016
Parents of Adults with Autism Support Group
Milford DDS Area Office
194 West St., #9 Milford
6:30 PM - 8:30PM
October 26, 2016
Parents of Girls Support Group
7-9 PM
Pizza & Games for girls runs
concurrently
October 26, 2016
Parents of Adults with Autism Support Group
Southbridge Bank
200 Charlton Rd., Sturbridge
6:30PM - 8:30PM
OCTOBER
Sibshops
October 1, 2016
Welcome Back Sibshop
10-2 PM
Autism Resource Central
71 Sterling St West Boylston
for sibs age 7 and older
$10.00/per child - $15.00/per family cap
October 29, 2016
Halloween Theme
Wear Costumes
Zion Lutheran Church
60 Main St Oxford MA
for sibs age 7 and older
$10.00/per child - $15.00/per family cap
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SEPTEMBER
September 27, 2016
Autism 101 - Overview
Seven Hills Family Support Center
208 Charlton Road, Sturbridge MA
7-9 PM
September 29, 2016
Grupo de Apoyo
Autismo 101
Centros - 11 Sycamore St. Worcester
10 AM - 1 PM
OCTOBER
October 4, 2016
Autism 101- Lets Get Organized
Seven Hills Family Support Center
208 Charlton Road, Sturbridge MA
7-9 PM
October 6, 2016
Grupo de Apoyo
Autismo 101
Centros - 11 Sycamore St.
Worcester
10AM - 1 PM
ABA for Parents
Oct 6, 20, 27 and Nov 3,10 & 17
Autism Resource Center
7-9 PM
October 11, 2016
Autism 101-Sensory Issues
Seven Hills Family Support Center
208 Charlton Road, Sturbridge MA
7-9 PM
October 13, 2016
Grupo de Apoyo
Autismo 101
Centros - 11 Sycamore St.
Worcester
10 AM - 1 PM
October 18, 2016
Autism 101-Sped Laws
Seven Hills Family Support Center
208 Charlton Road, Sturbridge MA
7-9 PM
October 20, 2016
Grupo de Apoyo
Autismo 101
Centros - 11 Sycamore St.
Worcester
10AM - 1 PM
October 25, 2016
Autism 101 Medical Aspects
Seven Hills Family Support Center
208 Charlton Road, Sturbridge MA
7-9 PM
October 27, 2016
Wrights Law Conference
CENTER CLOSED
Family Fun Activities
October 6, 2016
Paint Night for Adults & Teens
HMEA Sterling
3 Bartlett Pond Way
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE!
6:30-9 PM $35.00/pp
October 21 2016
Halloween Costume Ball for Teens and Adults
6:30 - 9 :30 PM
Manor Restaurant
242 West Boylston St
West Boylston MA
$15.00/ pp
Parent Night Out Runs Concurrently
October 29, 2016
FAMILY FUN
Fall Festival
At West End Creamery
481 Purgatory Road
Whitinsville MA
2:30 PM
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 PLEASE REGISTER FOR ALL ACTIVITIES AT:
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As part of our mission we try to keep you informed of relevant meetings, hearings, recreational opportunities in our community.
Check out the
Bulletin Board this week for information about activities in the community.
MFOFC has a Housing Workshop Series in Sturbridge, Flutie Foundation has a 1 day workshop on Autism and Entrepreneurship coming up ( space is limited ) and lots more !
Many other conferences are listed as well as the MFOFC leadership series.
The Bulletin Board is a place to have events that would be of interest to the families of HMEA's Autism Resource Central posted. Sped Pac meetings with speakers, recreational opportunities, classes and more.
To have an event considered for posting please send information to
[email protected]
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Sincerely,
Sue Loring, Director
HMEA's Autism Resource Central
508-835-4278
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