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News
CAMP Hosted Band-Aid for Autism
Coastal Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAMP) To Host Band-Aid for AutismEach year, CAMP awards a non-profit organization with charitable giving through a major public service fundraising event. This year’s public service award recipient is the Autism Advocate Foundation of Horry County. Coastal Advertising & Marketing Professionals (CAMP) will host Band-Aid for Autism on Sunday, September 30 Broadway at the Beach (Visitor's Center side). The concert will begin at 2 pm and will feature live music from Soul Function, Tru Sol, Black Label, Gogglez Pizano, Grand Strand Icon, Chris Hennigan and Conway Idol, Ozzie Wheaton! Admission is FREE to the public; however, charitable donations will be accepted during the event.
Proceeds from Band-Aid for Autism will benefit the Autism Advocate Foundation, a local organization that helps individuals and families affected by a diagnosis of autism and the Coastal Advertising and Marketing Professionals, a local non-profit advertising club that is a member of the American Advertising Federation.
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that affects one in every 166 individuals, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.
CAMP is a non-profit organization comprised of advertising, marketing and public relations professionals. Our membership area spans Florence, Georgetown and Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC.
Mission Statement: The purpose of CAMP shall be to provide and promote a better understanding of the functions of advertising and of its values; to apply these skills, creativity and energy of the advertising industry whenever it is needed to help social problems; to advocate the standards of advertising through a voluntary program of self regulation; to promote good fellowship and free exchange of ideas.
If you would like more information about this benefit concert, please contact April D. Garner at (843) 457-5308 or Missy Davidson at (843) 222-8284.
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Mission Statement
To provide emotional, financial and therapeutic support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders throughout their lifespan, while achieving their personal goals and dreams with integrity and distinction in their least restrictive environment.
Background
The Autism Advocate Foundation (AAF), a non-profit organization, was incorporated in July of 2004, by parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) living in Horry County. AAF's goal is to provide support so that each individual with ASD may realize their dreams and become active, contributing members of our community. These support areas include: employment, education, recreation and supported living options.
Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of developmental disabilities caused by an abnormality in the brain. People with ASDs tend to have problems with social and communication skills. Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to different sensations. ASDs are diagnosed in childhood and follow the individual throughout their lifespan. Although many people diagnosed with ASD struggle with the above symptoms, there is hope through early intervention and through the establishment of suitable programs that precisely address the needs of those affected by ASD.
The number of children diagnosed with ASD has increased dramatically in recent years. The Center for Disease Control issued a report in February of 2007, stating that the prevalence of ASD is now 1 in 150. In the last decade, there has been a 500% increase in this population. Prior to this, the incidence was only 1 in 10,000. There is no cure. No one knows why the incidence of ASD has increased so sharply. We do know that with support through an organization such as ours, people with ASD can go on to live full lives in the community.
There was recently concrete data collected by DDSN (Department of Disabilities and Special Needs) that says that across the state there are 1200 kids "in the system" between the ages of 3-10 diagnosed with Autism”. The number of children currently being served with ASD in Horry County schools (between the ages of 3-21) is 164. This number does not include PDD- NOS.
Focus
With the increased incidence of this particular disability, and conversely the continued reduction in government support and services for the disabled community at large, our needs are great. We are in need of operational funds to hire full and part-time staff for obtaining sheltered and competitive employment support. Our teenage population is in need of vocational and camp opportunities throughout the summer months that are not available to persons with disabilities. Further, we are in need of a housing initiatives and community support that will provide for these individuals as they age across the lifespan. Lastly, we are in need of advocacy and protection support so that general safety issues can be ensured. AAF is addressing some of these needs through our programs.
Project Lifesaver
Project Lifesaver is a “tried and true” radio technology tracking system used to recover children and adults that wander away from their family or caregivers. Individuals wearing the radio transmitting wristbands can be tracked on ground or by air over several miles. Local law enforcement agencies have volunteered to locate the radio receiving devices at various police departments throughout Horry County. AAF is the pilot group for this project. This same system is used in Virginia, Indiana, New Jersey and North Carolina with great success.
The Autism Advocate Foundation will supply individuals with the radio wristbands at a cost of $285 each and an additional $40 for the battery tester and $10 per month for a new battery. Funds will be raised to go toward supporting families in need of the wristbands but could otherwise not afford them.
Richards Program
This program was established during the spring of 2006 by AAF in conjunction with a generous donation by the Richards Family. The program was formed for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders living in Horry County. Currently, this program serves ages 9-18; addressing individual recreational, social, and/or vocational needs that will utilize local community resources. The Program consist of a Program Director and two (2) trained Autism therapists during its summer operational hours. Non-disabled peers were recruited to help provide mentoring. The involvement of these peers is essential for the development of social skills.
The program was so successful that we have added other components to the original program. We will offer the Richards Program one Saturday per month to those who wish to continue the summer program. Saturday Social Club was also added to address the social skills of people with ASD. The Vocational Training Program is currently being developed.
Employment Training Program
The summer employment training program provides placement opportunities for graduating students from Horry County schools. AAF secures competitive employment for our students with the support of job coaches and job site supervisors to ensure success. This program was implemented in June of 2005 with great success. Some of our students have gone on to secure permanent employment within the community.
Munson Family Respite Program
This program was created for families looking for a safe and responsible alternative to “babysitting.” One Friday per month, there will be an opportunity for families to leave their loved ones and siblings at our office for an evening out with “no worries.” Trained staff will be provided. There will be a nominal charge for this service.
Sheltered Employment and Vocational Training Program
The sheltered employment program initiative will include competitive contracts for housekeeping services to area hotels and place individuals on job-sites with sheltered job site supervisors employed by AAF (work in progress). In-house sheltered employment will obtain contract work for shipping and packaging and light assembly work for area businesses. AAF has already begun a coffee business. Details to follow.
Need for Housing and Community Living Supports
Many parents when faced with the news of a disabled child begin to wonder, “what will happen to my child after I die”. This is a heart-wrenching issue for all parents with a disabled child. Currently in South Carolina, there are 2,797 people over the age of 55 that are caregivers of adult family members with developmental disabilities.
Group homes in SC have very large waiting lists, further, not all parents would choose to place their adult child in a group home if they were provided a choice. Relying on faceless government agencies and the kindness of strangers is not what most parents would choose for their adult disabled child.
A major goal of AAF is to work with other organizations both public and private to develop sheltered/supported living options and community structure. This will provide individuals with disabilities here in Horry County choices in housing outcomes and provide community supports even after a parent is no longer able to care for them.
