October is Disability Employment Awareness Month | |
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Check Out The Autism Society's Employment Resources!
While employment is always a focus for our community, this October we will be highlighting both national and local resources throughout the month here in our newsletter and on social media:
- The Integrated Employment Toolkit that the Autism Society created provides support to help young adults with Autism to navigate a path for employment. #NDEAM https://bit.ly/3OF7kk1
- "Employment plays a pivotal role in adulthood, especially for those on the Autism Spectrum. The Autism Society created this employment resource to guide Autistic adults and their families through the employment process." Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3KoJpTw
- In honor of #NDEAM, watch this Facebook Live discussion between Autism Society and Jaime Timmons, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Community Inclusion about Competitive, Integrated Employment. Visit the link here to watch: https://bit.ly/3rW2Fl2
- Howard County's Autism Hiring Program has now expanded to Anne Arundel County, is planning to continue expanding, and has opened registration for the 2024 session! More info can be found here: https://howard-autism.org/autism-hiring-program/
- Hire Autism is a free program led and run by the Organization for Autism Research. With an active jobs board, and by offering resources for employers and job seekers alike, Hire Autism aims to expand opportunities for autistic individuals and serve as a continuing resource for them in their workplaces. Visit Hire Autism's Webpage HERE!
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ASBC's Business Repository and Financial
Support Fund
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Do you have a business that provides services to Baltimore City Autistics and their families?
Are you a Baltimore City resident who receives Autism related services or provides them for others?
The ASBC is establishing a repository of trusted, legitimate businesses who provide support to Autistics. Please use the following link to submit business information for consideration: Submit your business using this form!
You will be notified within 30 business days if your business is officially added.
If you receive services and would like to be considered for up to $500 in reimbursement, please use the following link to submit your information: Apply for funding now!
The ASBC is here for you!
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Become an ASBC Member for $15 a Year! | |
The ASBC Membership Fee is only $15 a year!
Don't miss out to enjoy the membership benefits below - become a member TODAY for only $15 a year, sign up here: ASBC's Membership Page
Family membership includes:
- Access to member-only social events
- Up to $100 per family per year to attend Autism related workshops and conferences provided by the Charles J. Fowler, Jr. Memorial Fund
- Access to ASBC grants and funding opportunities (for families living in Baltimore City and County)
Your membership helps the Autism Society of Baltimore Chesapeake:
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Connect people to valuable information and resources through our phone line, website, calendar and info@baltimoreautismsociety.org email
- Provide monthly groups like our virtual discussion groups for adults with Autism, and parents/caregivers
- Provide monthly socials for those in the Autism community
Not a member yet? Don't miss out - become a member TODAY, sign up here: ASBC's Membership Page
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A Sensory Friendly Morning at the Jim Henson Exhibit on October 14th! | |
By Autistics, For Autistics: Huzzah for Renn Fest and More on Joining the Group! | |
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Our Renaissance Festival visit By Autistics, For Autistics was a fulfilling outing for our adults! Keep a lookout for information on our next event!
Are you an Autistic adult (18+) and looking to join a welcoming group of others like you? We meet remotely every Thursday at 9pm and are excited to get to know you! Sign up to get the connection info via the following link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fgKjaH0/AutisticAdultGroup
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RISE Champions of Change Shoe Fundraiser, November 3rd - 30th | |
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RISE is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
RISE is partnering with Daryl Worley of the Baltimore Ravens to champion social justice and raise awareness and support for Autism and social justice. They will be auctioning an exclusive one-of-a-kind cleat to raise funds with 50% of the proceeds being donated to the Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake. To learn more on how to donate and participate in the auction, contact Scarlen Martinez at smartinez@risetowin.org.
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November Social: Our Popular Zine Workshop with Artist and Activist Jen White-Johnson is BACK! | |
Our next member social will be the return of Jen White-Johnson's popular Make Your Own Zine workshop! The workshop will take place on Saturday, November 4th, from 4 to 6PM at Art with a Heart (located at 3000 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211) and pizza and refreshments will be provided. The workshop will be geared toward ages 4 - 12, and parents are encouraged to participate as well! More information and registration will be sent out to members later this month.
Jen White-Johnson is a Afro-Latina, disabled artist, designer, educator, and activist, whose visual work explores the intersection of content and caregiving with an emphasis on redesigning ableist visual culture. When her son was diagnosed as Autistic at age 3 she began to examine the absence of black disabled children in digital and literary media, this motivated the release of an advocacy photo zine entitled "KnoxRoxs" dedicated to her Autistic son. To see more of her work and activism, check out here site here: https://jenwhitejohnson.com/
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Virtual Groups, Meetings, Workshops
& Other Resources
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Upcoming ASBC Virtual Groups
Click the group name to register and receive the email reminders and login information.
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General Session
An inclusive space for all adults to learn and grow in their understanding
Tuesday, October 31st, 2023, at 7:00pm
*Be on the lookout for our Spotlight Series guest announcement!
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Parent / Caregiver Discussion Group
A supportive environment to meet other parents and share
Tuesday, October 17th, at 7:00 pm
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Autistic Adult Discussion Group
Every Thursday @ 9:00pm
For Autistic Adults (18+) Only
A casual, neurodiverse space to connect and share
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Check Out Our NEW Resources Directory
(A Work in Progress)!
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In an effort to support our community even more, ASBC has created a searchable resource directory for both local and national organizations and businesses serving the Autism community! We are still testing out some of the features, so please pardon our dust while we continue to improve the directory. Check it out here: ASBC's Resources Directory
Have an organization you would like to recommend? Contact James Orman jorman@baltimoreautismsociety.org to make a suggestion!
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Dating & Relationships for Self-advocates Webinar with Autism Society Howard County
Dating & Relationships for Self-Advocates
October 24, 2023 from 7:00-8:30PM
The intended audience for this webinar is Autistic self-advocates looking for advice and education on how to prepare for and find a dating partner. Presenter Steven Isaacson, LMSW (he/him), himself a self-advocate, walks you through the first steps to reducing the stigma and learning where your thoughts and feelings on this topic come from.
About the Presenter: Steven Isaacson, LMSW (he/him) works as a Senior Group Facilitator for DC Peers. Steven is a job coach by training and enjoys working with folks on the spectrum in community-based settings. He recently earned his Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. When he’s not working, Steven is tending to his plants, camping, hiking, and pet sitting. Steven is on the Autism spectrum.
FREE to attend but REGISTRATION is REQUIRED at https://app.donorview.com/6WK31 to receive the Zoom login by email!
Questions? Contact 410-290-3466 or susanne.mason@howard-autism.org
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Baltimore County Public Library's "The Hang Out" Program
Several Baltimore County Public Library's branches are hosting social evenings for adults with disabilities. Meet new people while exploring fun activities, games and crafts at this social hour! Support staff and caregivers welcome. Locations listed below:
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Woodlawn Branch
1st Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
1811 Woodlawn Drive
Woodlawn, MD 21207
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Owings Mills Branch
2nd Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
10302 Grand Central Avenue
Owings Mills, MD 21117
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Towson Branch
3rd Wed., 5:30-6:30 pm
320 York Road
Towson, MD 21204
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Two Awesome Learning Opportunities This Fall at We Rock The Spectrum for Both Kids & Adults! | |
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Casey's Special Education Services is teaming up up again with We Rock The Spectrum - Baltimore! This group is for adults 18+ to focus on life skills, building connections, and fostering friendships with similar peers. Facilitated by local special education teacher, Ms. Kathy Vall, there is no doubt this session will be better than ever!
Register today by calling 410-497-6250 or through the We Rock The Spectrum app.
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Exciting news, parents and guardians! 🎉
Looking for a way to keep your kids academically engaged and meet new friends? We Rock the Spectrum Gym is now offering a drop-off Pre-K & Kinder readiness class 2 mornings a week!
They are booking up fast so call the gym, 410.497.6250 or book on their app!
Monday & Wednesdays 9:30am-12pm, October 2- December 6, facilitated by a Certified Educator
1 month commitment required
1 day a week, $240/month OR
2 days a week, $400/month
For more information on either opportunity, check out the We Rock the Spectrum Baltimore website: https://www.werockthespectrumbaltimore.com/
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ASBC Donors
June 1 - September 30, 2023
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Anonymous
Carol Brown
Joyce Daniels
Eric Donovan
Charisse Fletcher
Eliot Glaser
Natalie Grady
Deirdre Hammaker
Seleta Harvey
Lindsey Herbert
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Renea C. Joseph
Miriam King
Wanda H. Moore
Bianca O’Neal
Ali and James Orman
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Palmer
Thomas Soper
Thomas H. Stehr
Jean Lavonne Young-Gillis
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Avery Berman Scholarship Fund Donors
Karen Blum and Family
Harry Tischler
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Join the growing family of donors who generously give automatic ongoing monthly donations in support of ASBC’s efforts to serve the Autism community in Baltimore.
To set up a sustaining gift, go to our "Donate" page on our website here and then click on the yellow donate button. Once on the donate screen check the “Make this a monthly donation” box. Donors can give with PayPal or with a debit or credit card. The amount you select will automatically be charged to your credit card each month and it continues until you tell us otherwise.
We are grateful for all our donors and their commitment to the Autism Society of Baltimore Chesapeake!
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