Yakima, WA – April is Autism Awareness Month and The Autism Oversight Committee of Central Washington and Children’s Village are hosting a free collaborative community fair at Children’s Village on April 17^th from noon – 2:00 p.m.  The collaborative community fair is an opportunity to raise awareness of the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in our community and emphasize the need to increase support for Children with ASDs.

What: Collaborative Community Fair for Autism Awareness

When: Saturday, April 17 from noon- 2 p.m.

Where: Children’s Village

Why: Autism Awareness Month

ASDs are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges.  The CDC estimates that one in every 110 children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  ASDs are classified as “spectrum disorders” because they affect each person in a different way, and can range from very mild to severe.

“Our goal with this event is education and highlighting the work that our community is doing-working together to provide support and effective services to children on the autism spectrum and their families,” says Diane Patterson, Director of Children’s Village.  “Each day there are new advances in the area of autism research and as a community we want to support children with autism to achieve their hopes and dreams.”

The community event will represent the prevalence of Autism in our society with a visual display of one in 110 balloons.  Families and others can connect and learn more from other parents raising children with Autism.  It’s also an opportunity to find out more about how the Children’s Village expansion will offer more opportunities to serve children with autism.  Onyx salon will be offering $10 blue hair extensions with proceeds going to support the expansion campaign. Face painting and snacks will also be provided throughout the event.

About Children’s Village

Children’s Village is a unique partnership that resulted from a community vision for easily accessible, comprehensive, collaborative health, education and social services for children with special health care needs.  Since Children’s Village opened its doors in October 1997, it has transformed from being just a building into a philosophy of care for our Valley’s children.  Over the past decade, 16,000 children and their families have received services, support and care through Children’s Village in Yakima and Sunnyside.  For more information or to schedule a tour, call (509) 574-3200 or visit www.yakimachildrensvillage.org.

Advanced Life Systems Employee Contest Proceeds Benefit Children’s Village

What started as a simple employee competition turned into something much more.  Advanced Life Systems of Yakima medics and staff come together for better health and a bigger cause – helping special health care needs children in the Yakima Valley.  Their “Biggest Loser” contest consisted of 17 employees and raised $1,381 for Children’s Village Capital Campaign.

On Friday, June 5^th at 9:00 a.m., Advanced Life Systems’ contest winner Brian Wakeman,  and Woody Woodcock of Advanced Life Systems, will be presented a check to Children’s Village.

Advanced Life Systems’ “Biggest Loser” contest  spanned a three month  period,  from Feb 15^th to May 15^th.  The company matched the $20.00 employee buy-in  of each employee and also donated $10.00 for each pound lost by each contestant – for  total of $1,381 to be donated to Children’s Village.

Brian Wakeman, the contest winner, lost a total of 7.82% of body weight.  “In our line of work, we assist children almost daily and wanted to do something that helped those with special needs,” says Brian.

“Advanced Life Systems is committed to our involvement in the community and Children’s Village is intricate part of our community,” says Woody Woodcock of Advanced Life Systems.  “We wanted to help Children’s Village in the good work that they do – providing priceless services to children in our valley.”

THANK YOU Advanced Life Systems!!

The link will take you to the Children’s Miracle Network website.

Apr 21, 2009 … Autism Awareness Month Expert Gives Free Seminars Shane Doyle …

April is Autism Awareness Month.

To honor the occasion, Children’s Village hosted 2 free seminars from autism advocate, Keri Bowers.

The seminars dealt with developing life and social skills in children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

While math and grammer skills are important, some experts suggest that social skills are the most crucial to kids with disabilities.

Keri bowers has a 20-year old son with autism.

With her help, he graduated high school two years early and is now learning Japanese. He even has his own award winning film, “Normal People Scare Me,” which has been featured on CNN and The Today Show.