Connecting people facing the challenges of autism with the broader
Transkript
Connecting people facing the challenges of autism with the broader
Connecting people facing the challenges of autism with the broader community voice A Note from Our Executive Director Meet Our Leadership Team Dear Friends, Thank you for standing by families affected by autism when they need you most. As we celebrate our 18th anniversary, the CDC reports 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Demand for VIA services is increasing dramatically as the number of people challenged by autism climbs at a stagEmily Callahan gering rate. Director of Outpatient Behavioral Services Rorie Hutter Director of Education James C. Hormel School Your continued support enables VIA to grow and improve to keep up with the demand. You ensure that people diagnosed with autism in our community get the services they need. Thanks to your generosity, VIA has hired additional clinicians and educators with autism expertise to enhance the students’ outcomes at the James C. Hormel School. Our Outpatient Behavioral Services team is not only providing more local services, but has also developed a state-ofthe-art remote telehealth clinic to help military families in the Fort Lee community. Our Adult Services continue to expand to provide meaningful lifelong learning opportuni- Cresse Morrell Clinical Director ties for adults with autism. James C. Hormel School Matthew Osborne Director of Adult Services With the support of our generous donors, we have broadened our reach to the whole family. In August 2013, VIA hired a licensed clinical social worker to serve as our first Family Resource Navigator. Any family in the community – not just those already accessing VIA services – can turn to us for support no matter where they are in their journey with autism. You are giving families all-encompassing care, and helping them overcome the challenges of autism. I look forward to strategically expanding our services in collaboration with you: our community partners, advocates, donors, volunteers, families and wonderful VIA Board of Directors. You are changing the lives of people affected by autism. Thank you. Marisa Taylor Ethan Long, Ph.D., BCBA-D Director of Development & Communications James C. Hormel School As we begin our 19th year of service, we are celebrating an exciting time of growth. This year we are partnering with 13 school districts, expanding our reach across Virginia. In 2013, three students graduated from VIA. We are always sad to see our students leave us, but we know we have accomplished our ultimate goal: we have given them the skills and the support to succeed without us. We are proud of the achievements of all of our students, and we look forward to giving as many students as possible a foundation for success. Click here to read our students’ success stories. Outpatient Behavioral Services Our Outpatient Behavioral Services team meets students where they are, and figures out how to help them connect with their families and communities. Right now, we are expanding the types of services we provide to meet the needs of people across the spectrum. The Pathways Social Skills Program gives high-functioning individuals on the autism spectrum a supportive space to learn and practice difficult social skills. Imagine watching a teenager refuse to speak in front of her peers, and after one ten-week session of Pathways, learning that she presented to her classmates about Asperger’s. This growth is remarkable, and through our programs, this type of success is becoming typical. Adult Services Leaders in the field expect 500,000 children with autism to become adults in the next decade. We are facing an enormous challenge. Since its launch in April 2012, our Adult Services program has grown significantly. We have refined our vision, and we are excited to build our Academy for adults with autism - a place to turn for adults, just as our James C. Hormel School has been a place to turn for children. The Academy gives adults across the spectrum continued learning opportunities in the areas of business, life skills, and health and wellness. We are eager to expand our reach to keep up with the growing demands of our community. Click here for a window into VIA through VIA Videos! 2013 VIA Donors We would like to thank the following donors of $500 and above for their generous gifts to VIA in 2013 Founders’ Circle ($50,000+) Anonymous Directors’ Circle ($25,000 - 49,999) Ambassador James C. Hormel & Michael P. Nguyen Anonymous Anonymous Thomas D. Hormel I.J. and Hilda M. Breeden Foundation Kristin & David Macknight Platinum ($10,000 - 24,999) Charlottesville Area Community Foundation Bertie D. Heiner & Bill Atwood Melissa & Mark Hillery Dr. Alice Meador Perry Foundation, Inc. Virginia National Bank Alison & Bernie Webb* Gold ($5,000 - 9,999) Rebecca & Thomas Bannatyne Blue Ridge Bread, Inc / Panera Brown Automotive Group CFA Institute Claudia Campo & Jason Cockerill* Austin Cox ExxonMobil Foundation First Systems & Resources, Inc. Lucy & Thomas Goeke Sarah P. Hendley Elizabeth M. Hormel Kathy & Jimmy Hormel Optimist Club # 16032 Quantitative Investment Management Kenneth Rosen Wesley T. Helmbrecht RTS Foundation Gina & Greg Yoder Stay up to date with VIA’s blog: viaschool.org/news *VIA Board Member Spotlight on Our Family Resource Navigator A position made possible by our community Family Resource Navigator Hilary Nagel joined the VIA team in August 2013, thanks to the support of our generous donors. Whether families are searching for services right after diagnosis, grappling with financial challenges, or seeking peer support and respite care, they can turn to VIA. Cherie Salerno reached out to Hilary for help accessing services and understanding the Medicaid waiver after her son, Christopher, was diagnosed with autism. “I wanted to find people in the community who could support me,” said Cherie. “It’s emotionally draining when you’ve just gotten a diagnosis, and Hilary is so good at providing a sympathetic ear and helping you find the right people.” Hilary referred the Salernos to VIA Outpatient Behavioral Services. Now, Christopher’s Outpatient team says he is responding well to his applied behavior analysis sessions. In five short months, Hilary has answered hundreds of phone calls from families looking for answers, like the Salernos. She has planned “Parents’ Night Out” programs for VIA families, hosted free public workshops covering topics like abuse prevention and special needs trusts, and organized a holiday drive accessed by 26 families in financial need. Through these new initiatives, VIA is shedding light on the huge range of needs facing families of people with autism, and expanding the definition of autism services. Better Living Foundation Silver Dr. Jo Buyske ($2,500 - 4,999) Laura Shull-Chandler & Robert Chandler Ben & Jerry’s Annemarie Clemente & Milton Dunlap Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign ECHO of Northrup Grumman Anne C. Hormel Pam & Frank Edmonds Caroline & Jay McNeely Tarina & Bernard Esclapez Becky & Jeff Mitchell Fabcon Sharon Moody Julie Hormel & Ian Fletcher Kelly & Alex Moore Kenner Foote Melissa & Chris Powell* Leslie & Richard Gilliam Jean Pearce & William Sherman Cheairs & Dave Graves Larry Soule Mark Hampton & Jay Alexander Eileen & Jeff Stanczak Tracy & Rodney Harrington The Dorothy & Jonathan Rintels Hallie & Matthew Hegemier* Charitable Foundation Polly & John Hormel Trident Seafoods Corp Suzanne Sasic & Gregory Hormel Dr. Morris Jampol Bronze Heidi & Bob Johnson ($1,000 - 2,499) Rebecca* & Lane Kneedler Karin & William Banks Camilyn & Peter Leone* Barbara & John Battiston* Joan Marionni Best Buy Thank you to all our supporters - every dollar, volunteer hour, and word of support makes a difference! 2013 Stephen B. Perry Award Presented by Virginia National Bank Virginia National Bank and VIA were proud to present the second annual Stephen B. Perry Award for Outstanding Service to People with Autism to Tom McQueeney. Tom served on VIA’s Board of Directors from 1997 to 2010. He worked tirelessly to make sure VIA was helping as many people as possible. Tom participates in the Run for Autism 5K and sponsors the Gala every year, and even dressed up as Santa Claus for VIA students. Tom usually serves only one term on an organization’s board because he doesn’t contribute to “still ponds,” but he stayed with VIA for 13 years because the organization was continually moving forward. Tom ended his speech at the Gala with a very important call to action: get involved, volunteer, and donate to the Virginia Institute of Autism. Save the Date for VIA's 18th Anniversary Gala: September 5, 2014 $MJDLIFSFUPbecome an early sponsor! Suzanne Yeaman & Tom McQueeney Wendy & Alex Moore Optima Health Kathy & Troost Parker Frances & Curtis Powell Barbara & Hank Rainville Angela Sherman Nancy & Bortie Twiford Erika* & Robert Viccellio W.S. Scharff Family Foundation Wells Fargo Philanthropy Fund Ariana & Greyson Williams Kara Williams Katherine & Matt Williams Sustainer ($500 - 999) Mary & Stanley Abel Nancy Achilles Liz & Erdal Adam Margo & James E. Allen Jeannie Anderson* Anonymous Blue Ridge ESOP Associates Lori & Tommy Brannock Anne & Paul Breza David Cattell-Gordon* Donna Cattell-Gordon Elizabeth Chandler Mary Kay & Paul Cheek Gillian & Tony Cockerill Charlotte Moore & Joe Csicila Angela Dempsey *VIA Board Member Claudia Dodge* Linda & Penn Dupuis Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin Robbins Community Foundation, Inc Roger Durrett Liza & Bill Edgerton Sarah & Tommy Everett Dominique & Lee Faust Ferguson Enterprises Fleurie Patricia Coffin & Carl Frischkorn Katie & Wayne Fusco Caitlin & Sean Gallagher John Garner Ellen & Michael Geismar Giant Seminole Limited Partnership Glass Haus Kitchen Anne Lawrence Grasty Martha Grasty Greater Niagara Mechanical, Inc. Louise & William Hay Elizabeth & Col. Terry Hope Julie Horne Lara & Anthony Ignaczak Kathleen & Jeffrey Johnson Jennifer Michaels-Kelly & Patrick Kelly Aven & Andy Kinley Kate Lambert Amy & Bobby Lamy Alisa Bahl & Ethan Long Cynthia & Mark Lorenzoni Julia Whiting & John Malone John McAllister Mary L. Meador Merck Partnership for Giving Mincer’s Susan & Lawrence P. Molloy Katherine & Peter Moore Northrop Grumman Corporation Rebecca & Jerold Olson Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar, Inc. Georgene Palacky Jane & Bill Perkins Peggy & Perrin Quarles Michaele & EJ Rackel Kate & Boyd Rawles Cynthia Reusche Schnitzhofer & Associates, LLC Jane-Ashley & Peter Skinner Brendan Smith Joyce & Jim Smith State Farm Companies Foundation Lori & Richard Stevenson* Maureen & John Strazzullo Suzie & George Szatkowski Marisa & Jeff Taylor The Downtown Grille Tiger Fuel Company Renee Viette Walmart Logistics Emily & Rick Wampler Lisa & Bill Ware Kris Bell & David Webb Patricia & Edward Williams Zocalo Click here to make a gift to the Virginia Institute of Autism! Thank you for supporting the Run for Autism 5K! 1,240 runners. $100,000. A world of difference for people facing the challenges of autism. Click here to watch our 5K thank you video! Mark your calendar for our annual Gala on September 5, 2014 and stay connected with VIA all year round...