FOCUS' $15 for 15 Years
Donation protected
FOCUS Center for Autism is a non-profit 501c3 (Tax ID: 31-1724698). Donations are tax-deductible and go directly to FOCUS Center for Autism.
Each donation will directly impact every child and young adult that attend FOCUS Center for Autism by providing desperately needed services for this underserved population.
Dear Donors,
While amazing strides in awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have occurred in recent years, 15 years ago this was not the case. Children with autism suffered alone – misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Families had very few places to turn to find support and help.
In 2000, while working with these children, Donna Swanson recognized the potential that children with ASD have and what it is possible for them to achieve. And being Donna (a force of nature!), she brought her husband on board and together they started FOCUS Center for Autism.
Their dream was “to help the creatively wired and socially challenged so they didn’t have to go it alone.” They moved into a funky green house and one by one they started to change lives. Creating programs such as the Extended Day Treatment Program, the Summer Program, the Afterschool Program, and Residential/ Supported Living Programs for young adults.
Fifteen years later – children who came to them with no self-esteem, emotionally battered by the world around them and in some cases suicidal are now finishing high school and college. They are working. They are having meaningful relationships. They are living up to their potential. They are happy.
At FOCUS, kids with ASD experience a safe, supportive environment surrounded by people that truly see, listen and respect them. In the Milieu Therapy model of treatment, a “life space” becomes a structured treatment environment in which everyday events and interpersonal interactions are turned to therapeutic use by licensed clinicians, certified teachers and experienced support staff.
My children have autism – they both have totally different and complex needs. They have both been helped tremendously by attending the FOCUS programs. And over the last few years, what I have seen while picking my kids up or going to FOCUS social events are the many other children that have also benefitted. Children withdrawn and unhappy when they start FOCUS blossom and soon are laughing and playing with friends.
Last month my son was invited to sit on FOCUS’ unique Spectrum Unplugged Panel. He along with a group of four other FOCUS kids with ASD and Donna Swanson presented to 500 middle schoolers in the morning and 500 high schoolers in the afternoon. They opened up and talked about what it was like to live with Autism, they answered questions, and they stood as advocates for all children with ASD. The Panel got a standing ovation and my son came home 10 feet tall and ready to do it again. Doesn’t seem like much but for an 11 yr old child who didn’t speak to his teachers for the first year he was at FOCUS due to Selective Mutism, a severe form of social anxiety, this was beyond amazing (I am in tears - of happiness - just writing about it). When Donna invited him she took a huge chance that he wouldn’t say a word. And what she did was change his life. She believed in him.
That is FOCUS. They believe in our kids. Their potential. And how amazing they are.
This is why I am asking you to support the programs that FOCUS offers by donating today. Just $15 in celebration of 15 years of FOCUS can change a life. The statistics are now 1 in 45. Soon these children will be adults, the time is now to provide desperately needed services that will enable them to be productive members of society. The money donated will go to supporting FOCUS' dedication towards helping children with ASD and their families.
Thank you so much for your support. Please share!
Sincerely
Delia Thomas
(Proud mom to two amazing kids with ASD)
Checks can be sent to:
FOCUS Center for Autism, 126 Dowd Ave., PO Box 452, Canton, CT 06019
www.focuscenterforautism.org
Each donation will directly impact every child and young adult that attend FOCUS Center for Autism by providing desperately needed services for this underserved population.
Dear Donors,
While amazing strides in awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have occurred in recent years, 15 years ago this was not the case. Children with autism suffered alone – misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Families had very few places to turn to find support and help.
In 2000, while working with these children, Donna Swanson recognized the potential that children with ASD have and what it is possible for them to achieve. And being Donna (a force of nature!), she brought her husband on board and together they started FOCUS Center for Autism.
Their dream was “to help the creatively wired and socially challenged so they didn’t have to go it alone.” They moved into a funky green house and one by one they started to change lives. Creating programs such as the Extended Day Treatment Program, the Summer Program, the Afterschool Program, and Residential/ Supported Living Programs for young adults.
Fifteen years later – children who came to them with no self-esteem, emotionally battered by the world around them and in some cases suicidal are now finishing high school and college. They are working. They are having meaningful relationships. They are living up to their potential. They are happy.
At FOCUS, kids with ASD experience a safe, supportive environment surrounded by people that truly see, listen and respect them. In the Milieu Therapy model of treatment, a “life space” becomes a structured treatment environment in which everyday events and interpersonal interactions are turned to therapeutic use by licensed clinicians, certified teachers and experienced support staff.
My children have autism – they both have totally different and complex needs. They have both been helped tremendously by attending the FOCUS programs. And over the last few years, what I have seen while picking my kids up or going to FOCUS social events are the many other children that have also benefitted. Children withdrawn and unhappy when they start FOCUS blossom and soon are laughing and playing with friends.
Last month my son was invited to sit on FOCUS’ unique Spectrum Unplugged Panel. He along with a group of four other FOCUS kids with ASD and Donna Swanson presented to 500 middle schoolers in the morning and 500 high schoolers in the afternoon. They opened up and talked about what it was like to live with Autism, they answered questions, and they stood as advocates for all children with ASD. The Panel got a standing ovation and my son came home 10 feet tall and ready to do it again. Doesn’t seem like much but for an 11 yr old child who didn’t speak to his teachers for the first year he was at FOCUS due to Selective Mutism, a severe form of social anxiety, this was beyond amazing (I am in tears - of happiness - just writing about it). When Donna invited him she took a huge chance that he wouldn’t say a word. And what she did was change his life. She believed in him.
That is FOCUS. They believe in our kids. Their potential. And how amazing they are.
This is why I am asking you to support the programs that FOCUS offers by donating today. Just $15 in celebration of 15 years of FOCUS can change a life. The statistics are now 1 in 45. Soon these children will be adults, the time is now to provide desperately needed services that will enable them to be productive members of society. The money donated will go to supporting FOCUS' dedication towards helping children with ASD and their families.
Thank you so much for your support. Please share!
Sincerely
Delia Thomas
(Proud mom to two amazing kids with ASD)
Checks can be sent to:
FOCUS Center for Autism, 126 Dowd Ave., PO Box 452, Canton, CT 06019
www.focuscenterforautism.org
Organizer
Eric Cohen
Organizer
Canton, CT
