Community Info Archives - Page 56 of 56

If You Want A Friend, Be A Friend.

May 3, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian

If you want a friend, be a friend.

At Autastic Avenues, we offer social group instruction. Our current group, mostly 6-10 yr. olds, Builders and Gamers, meets on Saturday mornings.

Builders and Gamers use activities that are appealing to kids (Building- Lego/arts and crafts, and Games- cards, board games) to teach the principles of friendship. This is not a play date. It is not a play group. We do refer to it as a social group, but it is more than that. Cooperation and collaboration are not just buzz words. We depend on cooperative participants and collaborative ideas. Every member brings a different set of skills and interests. Everyone learns to be part of the group, even when the activity may not be someone’s favorite. Learning to follow a group plan and actively participate (with a positive attitude) can be a challenge. Letting others have a turn when it is a favorite activity is another type of challenge. We learn to stop and clean up, even when the Lego set is NOT finished. (This one is hard for me too!!) While we are learning how to be accepted into the group, we are learning to accept others into our own group. Builders and Gamers welcome and include anyone interested in being part of our group. Our more experienced members are great mentors to new friends. Our group mascot, Crash the ferret, is a frequent visitor. Crash is great at starting conversations.

Easter Fun in Richmond

March 26, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian

With Easter approaching, I thought it would be a great time to share all that will be happening around town. Many of these events will be good for all members in your family and can offer some wonderful fun.

Autism Society Central Virginia Run/Walk on May 23., 2015

March 2, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian

KnowDifferent is proud to be a sponsor!

For over 25 years, the Autism Society Central Virginia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has served as the region’s premier source of education, advocacy, and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families and friends, and interested professionals. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and that causes significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. More people than ever before are being diagnosed with autism, and currently, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that an average of 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys) in the United States has an ASD. There is no known cure for autism.
Over the past thirteen years, the Autism Society Central Virginia 5k Run/Walk has grown from a small venture to an annual event that attracted over 1600 participants in 2014. Held at the Innsbrook Pavilion, this family-friendly race includes entertainment, food, exhibitors and a Kid’s Fun Zone. The 5K Run/Walk is one of the Autism Society Central Virginia’s primary sources of income, raising over $90,000 in 2014.
All funds raised from this event will provide much needed support for individuals with autism and their families in Central Virginia. The funds raised here, stay here!

Deep Run Marathon Dance

January 19, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian Leave a Comment

Have you heard about the Deep Run Marathon Dance? I have been fortunate enough to experience this first hand as I have had two children attending Deep Run. This Dance changes lives each year, not only for the local organizations chosen, but for the students who participate and learn so much!

Richmond Kid Expo 2015

January 17, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian Leave a Comment

The Richmond Kid Expo is coming back to RVA on Feb 28, 2015.

This event is at Richmond Raceway and is a day full of fun for families . There are tons of exhibitors , including camps, places to go, toys and more. Samples of all kinds are offered and most are local to RVA.

What Is Jacob’s Chance

January 12, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian Leave a Comment

What is Jacob’s Chance?
Jacob’s Chance is a non-profit organization that promotes programs to benefit intellectual and physically challenged youth and families. We are developing a community center for teens 11-25 years old that will promote socialization while providing a safe atmosphere.
You may know us better by the primary program our non-profit organization runs, River City Buddy Ball. River City Buddy Ball is in its 6th year of operation. The mission of this program is to promote wellness through exercise and establish relationships between participants with disabilities and volunteers (peer and adult) through athletic programs. River City Buddy Ball began with a baseball program and has added basketball, cheerleading, tennis, soccer and flag football over the past two years.

Read more on What Is Jacob’s Chance…

Night To Shine- Prom for kids with Special Needs

January 4, 2015 By Carissa Garabedian Leave a Comment

imgres February 13 – West End Presbyterian Church invites DSAGR members to Night to Shine, an unforgettable (and free) prom night for those 16 and above with special needs sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Walk the red carpet and dance the night away from 6-9 p.m. The registration deadline is Jan. 5 (space is limited). Visit www.nighttoshinerva.com for more information.

Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village. We have a giveaway too!

November 24, 2014 By Carissa Garabedian Leave a Comment

Open NOW! This will be a wonderful RVA Tradition starting! Read all about the fun, events and things to do! To enter to win one of many family packs, ach pass is good for one carload packs over the next few weeks , share someting you are excited about after reading the info.