A DECADE OF DEDICATION

A Retrospective of 10 years of the Community Walk for Autism Awareness - Stories and Pictures from our families

We have a very close-knit community of parents, friends and family members here at the Center. Even as we continue to welcome new families every week, that feeling of belonging and sense of community pervades all of our events & activities, and dictates how we operate; by the families, for the families.

That's the key behind the success of the last decade of dedicated families who have fundraised over $120,000 each year for the past 3 years, and a total of over half a million dollars since our first walk in 2000.

This is our signature event each year, and it's not just a day of fundraising - it has become our day of celebration of all that we are, all that we have become.  Our families look forward to this day more than any other all year long. Here are some of the reasons why, as told to us.

The Nauman Family: "2008...our first year having a real "Team Brandon"...we had 3 more people that weren't in the picture too...we raised $3500 that year...."

Hope-Marie Bonilla: 2007 was my first Walk with the Autism Resource Center. That is when Team Jose was first put on the map!! With our Team Jose shirts and a small army of 12 people we started to pound the track at Quinsigamond Community College. I will never forget, I was sick as a dog, should of been in a hospital, but there was nothing that would of prevented me from attending that special day. Of all the memories from that day, the clearest that stands out, is while walking the track and thinking and talking to myself, the overwhelming feeling of support that I received from my family that I didn't know or feel prior to that day. Fast forward to April 2009, Team Jose have grown to over 35+ walkers and we now make a big event within the event for ourselves. We bring huge coolers with drinks, food, snacks, toys, tables, giftbags for our own team members and they ALL walk!! Most of all the team members who have never been with children with Autism, it is a special day to them. They walk away with a whole different perspective and a greater respect for all families with children/adults with Autism. To me that is what the Autism Community Walk is about. Bringing awareness and closing the gap.   Cant wait for 2010 Autism Walk!!