NEW YEAR, NEW PROGRAMS!

Happy New Year! Thank you to all who supported us last year by donating, volunteering, or participating in any of our programs and events. We can all agree that 2020 had its challenges, but there were some really amazing moments that we shared as well. This year ASGA has a jam-packed schedule of awesome programs we know you and your family will love! Stay tuned for updates and important information about ASGA’s 2021 program lineup coming SOON!

ASGA WILL MISS OUR CARING SANTA

How many of us have a picture of “Caring Santa” as part of our family memories? For the last eight years, except this one, Santa came to Summit Mall and brought his special touch and kindness. It is with great sadness that we learned that our Santa died on Christmas Eve. We will always remember the special memories he gave us as a community that needed a little extra care and time. We have compiled our favorite Caring Santa moments throughout the years for you to look at HERE. Thank you, Santa, for sharing your life of giving with us! Read the Akron Beacon Journal article HERE.

STAY MOVIN' AND GROOVIN' FOR ALL YEAR

Has your family made new fitness goals for 2021? Check out our past Movin’ & Groovin’ with Erin videos to get active from the comfort of your own home. Erin has included a beginner, intermediate and advanced version for ALL fitness levels. Start out at the beginner and challenge yourself to get better! With each exercise, she has included a description, pictures of each step of the movement and a video to follow along. Let's start 2021 Movin' and Groovin'!

TAKE A BREAK IS STAYING FOR 2021

ASGA is excited to announce that we have extended our Take A Break program into 2021! Take a Break on ASGA is a program we created to assist the emergency needs of families affected by COVID-19 by providing three hours of respite and a $35 gift card to Giant Eagle or Walmart. Families who used this service last year are welcome to reapply for 2021!

TRAINING FOR DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

Direct Support Professionals (DSP) play an important role in the lives of individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Through "On The Right Side of Autism", participants will learn strategies to support and engage individuals with ASD that include both visual and behavior support and can also earn 6 CPDU’s for Adult Services, SSA and County Board Members! 

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE - Check out various Open House Dates for Julie Billiart Schools.  

WEBINAR IN SPANISH - The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio is hosting Growing Family Resilience Series that will be facilitated in Spanish on January 23 at 10 AM. 

ONLINE DRAMA CLASSES - Check out the 2021 winter classes from the Center for Applied Drama and Autism. 

VIRTUAL SEMINARS - University Hospitals is hosting its 18th Annual Autism Seminar Series. 

FREE RIDES COVERED BY MEDICAID - Medicaid Managed Care plans provide members with no-cost transportation services to and from food banks, food pantries, food clinics, and grocery stores. 

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES - The DODD has put together a list of COVID related mental health assistance. 

About the Autism Society of Greater Akron

The Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) is one of more than 80 affiliates nationwide that are part of the Autism Society of America, the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots autism organization. ASGA serves Summit, Stark, Wayne, Portage, and Medina counties. ASGA works locally to achieve its mission to improve the lives of all affected by autism.

ASGA is also a proud member of the Ohio Family Network (OFN), connecting people with disabilities and their families to local information and resources within their communities. We believe OFN provides opportunities to share ideas, find solutions to common challenges and inspire and strengthen each other.