Autism in Long Beach started in Long Beach California three years ago when the founder, Jane Tipton, five year old son was diagnosed in 2009 and she didn’t have many places to go that would assist our family directly. Tipton tells BCG there weren’t many activities in our area and she was very put off by the bigger non-profits whom seemed not to care about our low income families. Low income families who had been previously asked to raise money for other groups by doing walks and supporting them were left behind.
The mission of Autism in Long Beach is to make Long Beach the #1 city globally to provide inclusion and resources for our special needs community. The organization serves the Long Beach area and surrounding cities with families as far as The Bay Area, South Africa, and East Africa that follow their posts and keep in contact with the group.
Autism in Long Beach hosts two main events a year; the Bully Free Zone 2 picnic and the Autism Angel Holiday Program. These events have been successful to the organization’s mission statement by providing the community an arena where they can help and meet our families directly and see where their funds go. In turn, it helps families to know Long Beach cares about them.
“The most rewarding part of starting Autism in Long Beach is to see families that would normally shy away from Community events, in fear of being scolded for their parenting during our kids meltdowns, show up and participate at Local events. They are beginning to feel a part of our City,” says Tipton.
The annual Bully Free Zone Summer picnic will be held on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 at Houghton Park in Long Beach, CA. Providing free skate lessons, the event will have local Food Trucks, Skate Community Vendors, Speakers, Book Signings, A Special Needs Talent Agency search by Linicomn Agency and Signing Families.
You can get involved in several ways with Autism in Long Beach. The first and most important way is to be compassionate when you see a child, and even an adult, acting out in public. There may be an underlying condition, the organization also needs volunteers. Interested volunteers can email Autisminlongbeach@yahoo.com (Subject: Volunteer) and your information. Donations are always needed to keep Autism in Long Beach events, inclusion programs, and workshops free to families. You can donate by mailing donations to Autism in Long Beach 6444 East Spring St. Box 102, Long Beach, CA 90815. Or visit http://www.autisminlongbeach.org/ for more information
