…THE SEAPaddle NYC Proudly raises money for:
BEST DAY FOUNDATION:
Best Day Foundation enables kids with special needs to build confidence through safe, fun adventure activities which stretch their limits, expand their true potential, reinforce their achievement, and connect them with diverse populations in their community. Some of these activities include surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, snow-tubing and more. Best Day is run by an experienced team and supported by generous sponsors who help keep the programs free for all. Best Day chapters make a big impact in their communities.
AUTISM FAMILY SERVICES of NJ (AFSNJ):
AFSNJ is the host of the beach bash, which is free and open to New Jersey families living with an autistic child. What began as a small event with about 150 people has grown to over 2,000 attendees in 2009. The beach bash is an all day event that includes arts and crafts, a DJ, interactive games, and lunch provided by Whole Foods market and a surf camp courtesy of Surfers Healing. At the 2009 event 200 children surfed, the most in surfers healing history.
AUTISM NJ:
Autism New Jersey is nonprofit agency providing information and advocacy, services, family and professional education and consultation. Autism NJ encourages responsible basic and applied research that may lessen the effects of, and potentially prevent autism. Autism NJ is dedicated to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services to maximize their growth potential and to enhance the general public’s overall awareness of autism.
HAWAII AUTISM FOUNDATION:
The Hawaii Autism Foundation’s mission is to educate and help families find and fund treatments for autism spectrum disorders. The foundation was started by filmmakers Don & Julianne King who created the movie Beautiful Son, a personal story of their family’s journey to find help & healing for their son Beau. They established the Hawaii Autism Foundation with the help of a group of local parents who share a vision to help families access treatments for children with autism in Hawaii. New board members, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama recently helped raise money and awareness for the making of Beautiful Son by paddling and biking the length of the Hawaiian Islands.
PARENTS of AUTISTIC CHILDREN (POAC):
POAC, formed in 1999 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has a proven track record of providing services to children and adults with autism, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Since its inception POAC has provided training, services, outreach and support for thousands of people throughout New Jersey and across the country. The vast majority of these services are provided 100% free of charge. In addition, POAC funded the first statewide program for the early detection of and intervention for children with autism. POAC has partnered with universities and treatment centers to form programs that include researched-based procedures which have proven to be effective for those with autism. While many organizations exist to find a cause and cure for this developmental disability, POAC has focused its attention and resources on how best to help the children and families who are struggling with autism today. POAC strives to help individuals with autism achieve their highest potential in their homes, schools and communities.
SURFERS HEALING:
Surfers Healing seeks to enrich the lives of children with autism and the lives of their families by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. Surfers Healing volunteers travel across the coastal United States and Hawaii allowing autistic children an opportunity to experience the healing affects of the water at no charge.
VIRGINIA AUTISM PROJECT:
We are a grass roots, state-wide coalition of families with children affected by an autism spectrum disorder. Our current priority of our mission statement is to create positive change for people on the autism spectrum through Autism Insurance Reform.
The Virginia Autism Project (VAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that focuses on educating, advising and collaborating with federal, state and local decision makers and the general public on issues that impact individuals with autism and their communities, while raising awareness throughout Virginia.