New Jersey Marathon Family Events Day, May 5, 2012
Click here to register for the New Jersey Marathon Family Events Day, May 5, 2012
New Jersey Marathon Family Events Day, May 5, 2012
January 6th, 2012BRINGING TEENS TOGETHER… FANWOOD-SCOTCH PLAINS YMCA SPECIAL NEEDS TEEN NIGHT OUT A SUCCESS
December 20th, 2011FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christine Alger
Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
908-889-8880 Cell: 908-413-2395
calger@fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org
The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA in collaboration with Autism Family Times with Brianna, Inc. and Peer Mentors hosted a “Special Needs Teen Night Out” on December 2nd at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA. This “Winter Wonderland Dance” was an event open to teens ages 13-18.
The event began with the teens registering and receiving their backstage passes to the event. Teens enjoyed snacks while making Holiday Cards for the Troops in a room decorated like a winter wonderland. The teens then moved to the “Disco Room” where they danced the night away to music provided by Jeff Schultz of Premier Event Entertainment.
Thanks to the Peer Mentors who volunteered their time for the night, the teens were shown inclusion, acceptance and were able to share a great experience. The event was a success with the teens and for their parents. Parents cannot wait for their children to participate in the next Special Teen Night Out which will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Y. The theme for the January event will be “Summer in Winter.” Teens will swim and enjoy pizza together.
Registration and payment for the ‘Special Needs Teen Night Out” can be made at the Y. All participants will be asked to complete a registration form prior to attending this event. Membership to the Y is not required. However, at the time of registration, participants will be asked to fill out a Limited Member Application.
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For information on membership or programs, or to request a schedule of classes, please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880 or visit the Y’s website at www.fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
We Dream Athletic Team raises Autism Awareness at the Fanwood 5K
November 19th, 2011
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On October 23rd, Tovah Segelman, Program Director for the We Dream Athletic Team led a group of twenty-three runners to participate in the Second Annual Fanwood 5K. Autism Family Times with Brianna, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Fanwood, NJ that provides customized, therapeutic, educational, and recreational programs for children with Autism and their families. The We Dream Athletic Team participates in various athletic events to raise funds for Autism Family Times. Through this fundraising the group is able to offer exceptional programs to children with Autism and their families.
The team joined with almost four hundred runners to navigate the 5K course and finish right outside of LaGrande Park. The We Dream Team was well represented by a host of runners including Tovah’s mom, Sandy Segelman Greenberg, who was participating in her first 5K race. The team also had a number of runners finish first in their respective age groups.
The team participates in many local races but feels a particular kinship with Fanwood as it is home to Claudette Bardwil (Autism Family Times with Brianna’s President), her family and many of the runners.
The team tent was well attended with many volunteers and had a number of visitors including Fanwood Mayor, Colleen Mahr. Although this year’s participation was stellar, Tovah is looking to increase the participation for next year’s run as well as the fundraising. Given what was done this past Sunday, she is going to have a tough act to follow.
For more information related to Autism Family Times please go to www.autismfamilytimes.org.
Interested individuals wishing to join the We Dream Athletic Team are urged to contact Program Director, Tovah Segelman at wedreamteam@autismfamilytimes.org
Fanwood Mayor, Colleen Mahr (left) and Autism Family Times President, Claudette Bardwil
Autism Family Times with Brianna, Inc are Learning Through Travel
August 20th, 2011 |
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Featured in photo on Left, Bryan O’Malley Peer Mentor of Autism Family Times and Marine Biology Major of Eckerd College shares his knowledge of marine life with our children and families in our July 29th learn through travel experience.
Photo on Right, Sandy Varone Marine Biologist of Sea Grant in Sandy Hook Shows our families a “Pipe Fish” the cousin to the Sea horse That was gathered in our net, as Richie Suske looks on to discover all the marine life gathered in our ocean and learns the importance to our Eco System.
Autism Family Times with Brianna’s “Learn Through Travel” program offers the opportunity for families to connect to one’s surroundings in a safe, therapeutic, and educational environment blending the art of simultaneous travel with learning. The organization accomplishes this goal by addressing concerns and issues common to individuals on the autism spectrum. Prior to each travel segment, a staff member embarks on a “scouting” field trip to identify sensory triggers, interview staff, take pictures all capturing the essence of each destination. This information is then translated into a specialized social story which is provided to each family prior to departure as an effort to enhance the travel experience. Social stories are interventions used to help prepare the learner for various situations, behaviors and skills.
Partnering with Sea Grant Consortium at Sandy Hook, Autism Family Times was able to recently offer on July 29, 2011, the “Secrets of the Salt Marsh Tour’”. Sandy Varone, a marine biologist, and Bryan O’Malley, peer mentor and marine biology major at Eckerd College shared their expertise with the group. The participants donned gear and used nets to collect samples of nearshore life. Families used shovels, sieves and hiked to observe New Jersey’s salt marsh structure, plants and animals.
“I can’t describe the joy I felt watching my son’s face as he splashed in the water, worked with the other children in using the nets to examine the sealife, running on the sand, or licking an ice cream cone! It was a perfect day. All the kids seemed to have a wonderful time!” As quoted by Marcia Weiner in delight of watching her son Jonathan.
Previous travel programs included an excursion to the New Jersey State Museum and Planetarium and an overnight stay at the Embassy Suites in Piscataway. “Our Learn Through Travel program is unique,” said Executive Director Claudette Bardwil. “We better serve the Autism spectrum population and reinforce concepts to support “Learning by Doing!” A special thank you to the Westfield Foundation as these educational experiences thus far have been captured on film. Autism Family Times and participating families are creating a documentary to bring awareness into society. The goal is to provide understanding that with support, individuals with autism spectrum disorders can learn and be important participating members in our communities.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE “LEARN THROUGH TRAVEL” PROJECT or funding opportunities for the educational documentary please send email to CONTACT@AUTISMFAMILYTIMES.ORG or visit online www.autismfamilytimes.org
Immediate Press Release
June 28th, 2011
Autism Family Times with Brianna concludes successful summer family horseback riding program
Autism Family Times with Brianna concludes a successful summer family horseback and pony riding program at the Lord Stirling Stables. This program would not have been possible without the following caring, compassionate individuals that dedicated their Sunday afternoons in challenging weather conditions bringing enjoyment to our families with special needs children.
Our organization would like to sincerely thank Westfield resident Program Director Holly Monteverde, and husband Matt, Volunteer Coordinator Danielle Giordanella and our wonderful Peer Mentors all of Union County, Alex Kapadia, Joe DelPrete, Magan Mauro, Kayla Giordanella, Amanda Rein, Alyssa Provenzano, Emily and Rachel Holtzman, Sara Stanton, Gillian Clark, Lauren McCue, Chloe Rothenberg, Tovah Segelman, Kelly Green, Janet Green, Terry Heide, Katelyn Kelly, Julia Ceasrine, Rohit Saigal, Jess Winthrow, Kelsey Stottlemyer, Disha Rao, Morgan Martinson, Earl Velarde, Clara Min, Debi Atzbi and Emily Boruch.
The program resumes on September 4th, with select Fall dates.
See www.autismfamilytimes.org for more information
Autism Family Times with Brianna, Inc Receives Heartwarming Donation
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On June 17th 2011, Claudette Bardwil was presented a check by the Evergreen Elementary School and the Christine’s Hope Foundation in the amount of $1000.00. The students’ from the Evergreen Elementary School raised $453.28 from their “Pennies for Heaven” fundraiser. Their donation was forwarded to the Christine’s Hope Foundation who in turn matched their donation for the presentation to Autism Family Times with Brianna.
The Christine’s Hope Foundation was started by Christine Gianacaci’s parents in their daughter’s memory. Christine Gianacaci was a 22 year old student at Lynn University, in Boca Raton Florida that was killed with several other Lynn University students and faculty members by the earthquake that hit Haiti in January of this past year. It was Christine’s passion for helping children and making a difference in their lives that her parents chose the Autism Family Times with Brianna for this donation. Bardwil accepted the donation saying “It is with tremendous gratitude and appreciation that I accept this donation on behalf of the Evergreen Elementary School and the Christine’s Hope Foundation. This donation will help support the challenges of our special needs families and specifically be used to offset the cost of our ongoing Horseback Riding program.” I believe that Christine’s vision in helping children with disadvantages has encouraged these acts of kindness by the children of Evergreen Elementary School, the Christine’s Hope Foundation and organizations such as the Autism Family Times with Brianna Foundation. It is truly these types of efforts that make a difference in the life of a child and their families. “
Autism Family Times Horseback Riding Programs will take place on the following Sunday’s:
June 26, July 3, July 10, July 24, July 31, September 4th, October 2nd, and October 9th. This eight week program will be held at the Lord Stirling Stables in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The organization is currently in need of volunteers to be sidewalkers aged 14yrs and above to assist the children with special needs. Interested volunteers should reach out to Danielle at volunteer@autismfamilytimes.org, and interested families wishing to register should contact Holly at Registration@autismfamilytimes.org For more information on the organizations programs and events, please visit website www.autismfamilytimes.org
Autism Family Times is a Beneficiary of the New Jersey Marathon 2011
March 15th, 2011Click below for registration and information
New Jersey Marathon Registration 2011
Autism Family Times – 2011 LBH Relay Special Charity Fundraising Application
Autism Family Times – 2011 LBH Special Charity Fundraising Application
Autism Family Times – 2011 NJM Special Charity Fundraising Application
