DLNews Business:

April is Autism Acceptance Month! While the “Color the Spectrum, Autism Art Festival” representatives from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and KESQ News Channel 3 presented Autism Society Inland Empire (ASIE) with a $25,000 grant. The free, family-friendly art festival celebrated youth and adults on the Autism spectrum by featuring a marketplace for entrepreneurs to sell their wares. The event also included free arts and crafts, face painting, bubble art, chalk art, music, door prizes, and more.

“We’re so excited and grateful that the Berger Foundation and News Channel 3 could present the $25,000 grant at our spring event. It meant a lot to us,” said Juanita Hernandez, Coachella Valley Program Specialist with ASIE. “Families are now looking forward to the many events we have planned this summer, which will be more special thanks to these funds.”

The ASIE is planning at least four fun-filled, accepting summer events in the Coachella Valley, which allow families to come together in a safe, supportive environment to enjoy local attractions and enable families to experience bowling, pool parties, picnics, and sensory-friendly movies. In addition, these summer activities bring more than 600 special needs children and their family members together for adaptive experiences.

“Seeing so many happy children and teens at the ‘Color the Spectrum’ event, Autism Society Inland Empire fills an important need in our community. It’s wonderful that this organization is fostering a supportive network and fun events for our valley’s families,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.

In California, 1 in 22 children is now diagnosed with Autism. More than 2000 families in the Coachella Valley have a loved one with Autism. Children with Autism often have challenging behaviors, including aggression, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, which often cause families to experience exclusion at traditional community activities. The mission of ASIE is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

“Autism Society Inland Empire is providing safe places in the Coachella Valley for children with Autism to express creativity, try new things, practice social skills, and increase self-confidence,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.

Autism Society Inland Empire will be featured on News Channel 3’s “Eye on the Desert” in public service announcements and on kesq.com throughout April. To learn about ASIE, visit www.IEAutism.org.

Source: Cara Van Dijk

Photo Courtesy of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation

Representatives from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and KESQ News Channel 3 present Autism Society Inland Empire with a $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant.

Left to Right: Anel Ibarra, ASIE Program Coordinator; Liliana Alvarado, ASIE Resource Specialist; Juanita Hernandez, ASIE Coachella Valley Program Specialist; Elmo; Beth Burt, ASIE Executive Director; Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation; Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company; Marian Bouchot, KESQ Anchor.