Raft of events for autism awareness

Tomorrow’s Voices Autism Centre has organized a full slate of fun and creative educational and fund-raising events for April — Autism Awareness month.

The events aim to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities.

It was recently announced that one out of every 68 children in the United States registers on the autism spectrum — an increase of 30 percent from two years earlier. It is therefore assumed that Bermuda’s prevalence rates are following similar trends. 

With this increase the charity believes that it is more important than ever to continue to educate and raise awareness on autism in Bermuda.

Autism Awareness Month allows Tomorrow’s Voices to raise not only awareness, but also to raise funds so that we can assist many more children and families.

Chairwoman and Co-Founder Thea Furbert said: “I am excited for Tomorrow’s Voices to be able to celebrate Autism Awareness Month with the number and variety of
educational, awareness, and fundraising events as has been organized this year...

“We have to do all that we can to educate the public as well as raise much-needed funds to offer services to parents and their kids. 

“These events do that. We hope the public can support us.” 

For more information

contact Thea Furbert at 297-4342 or email [email protected].

Key events

• April 11 - Centre Open House: Visit the Centre and meet the charity’s staff. Find out what they do and why we do it. Discover how the therapies they use (ABA and Verbal Behaviour Therapy) are changing lives for those touched by developmental disabilities in our community. 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm.

• April 12 – Saturday Social Skills Group – youth and staff visit the elderly. Come join in as Tomorrow’s Voices’ clients and their typically developing peers show their thanks by giving back to the community. This giving day will involve delivering their specially made Easter baskets to the elderly.

Drop off your child and enjoy a half-day of respite. Volunteer your time and see how you can benefit our children with special abilities and change their lives! 9am to 1pm | $35 per child.

• April 16 - Training Institute Workshop - “Autism Globally — How Does Bermuda Measure Up?”: During this workshop Tomorrow’s Voices will compare and discuss

its services versus others provided in other parts of the world. Participants will receive Professional Development Certificates. Email: [email protected] to register. 6pm to 8pm | $25.

• April 17 – “Autism Rocks Socks!” — crazy socks fundraiser: Have fun while showing support for the charity. Companies and schools are invited to participate in Tomorrow’s Voices’

unique fundraiser by wearing crazy, fun socks on this day and donating $5 to the charity. Email: [email protected] and Register to participate.

• April 25 – “Autism Tags It!” — tag day fundraiser: Help support Tomorrow’s Voices’ first Tag Day to raise essential funds for its centre.

Volunteers will be stationed outside businesses in the City of Hamilton to distribute ribbons to passersby and help to raise funds toward its unique Autism Charity.

• April 26 – “Get Puzzled Car Rally” – fun scavenger hunt fundraiser: Join the DATs as they host the “best Car Rally Scavenger Hunt ever” to raise funds for our Centre.

Get your team together to seek out clues, learn about Autism, and have a great night of fun. 6:30pm | Starts from City Hall Car Park | $15 per person.

To enter your team or for further information email: [email protected]

• April 30 – Autism Awareness Month ends on East Broadway: Join the charity on East Broadway as it displays its autism signs and puzzle pieces and reminds the community that it may be the end of Autism Awareness Month but it’s not the end of autism. 8am | East Broadway.