$10,000 Autism Services Grant Awarded

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has announced that it has awarded $10,000 to CCARC to provide services to families with adolescents or young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“While young people with ASD are able to attend public school until age 21,” said CCARC Senior Vice President Julie Erickson, “the big question is what happens next?”

“Some students with ASD will be able to attend college and live independently,” says Erickson, “while others will need more ongoing oversight and vocational direction.”

The Community Foundation says that grant is to allow New Britain-based CCARC to provide a series of nine workshops to provide the families with adolescents or young adults with ASD, “with the kind of information and support needed to connect them with vital services now and in the future, and to begin planning for their child’s adult years.”

The services are to be for families in New Britain and three area towns.

“These workshops will be designed to empower families with knowledge of the considerations they will need to address in coming years, what services are available to help them, and how to access the most appropriate services for their situation,” said Erickson.

While the schedule for the workshops is not set up yet, families interested in information about the program can contact Erickson at 860-229-6665, ext. 173.

The $10,000 grant was provided by the Community Foundation’s Catalyst Fund. The Foundation says that,

The Catalyst Fund is comprised of a group of community-minded citizens interested in improving the quality of life in Greater New Britain. Members gather three times a year to learn about a member-chosen issue facing the community, and to consider funding requests from charitable organizations addressing the issue. The year concludes with a grant award of up to $10,000.

Erickson said that, “We are thrilled that the Catalyst Fund membership has chosen to generously support this vital initiative.”

The Foundations says that, “Anyone can become a member of Catalyst.” Regular membership is $250, but first time individual memberships are $50 for individuals or families. Businesses can also join Catalyst, “to engage their employees in local philanthropy.”

The Foundation says those interested in joing the Catalyst Fund can contact Joeline Wruck at [email protected] or 860-229-6018, ext. 307.