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To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, and mark the opening of ACT’s new office, ACT held a celebration on April 15th, 2011, inviting many volunteers who have donated their time to ACT since we began our work nine years ago, including members of ACT’s Board and Advisory Council. In addition, there were representatives of many other autism focused organizations, including Autism Kamloops, the Canucks Autism Network and the Pacific Autism Family Centre.
There were also researchers and clinicians representing Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, BC Children’s Hospital, Douglas College, Capilano University and the BC Autism Assessment Network as well as a number of agencies. The Ministry of Children and Families sent several representatives.
Both Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development and Harry Bloy, Minister of Social Development were able to attend and delivered informal speeches acknowledging the efforts of the autism community. Many of those who attended are the parents of adults and they appreciated Minister Bloy’s focus on the need to develop ways of rapidly assessing whether employment programs for adults with special needs are getting results so as to maximize the impact of funding. All participants appreciated Minister Mary McNeil's insightful comments into the impact of autism on the extended family and the enthusiasm and drive of the autism community in addressing its concerns and priorities.
In welcoming all guests, Deborah Pugh, ACT’s Executive Director, reviewed ACT’s growth as an organization over nine years and stressed the importance of volunteers to ACT's success: “ACT is grateful for the funding we receive from MCFD which represents two-thirds of our income, and from the registrations that earn the remaining third, but we could never accomplish our work without our volunteers. From members of ACT’s Board of Directors, to our Advisory Council, to the RASP Advisory Panel, to the speakers and authors who volunteer their time for ACT’s events and contribute to our ACT’s Autism Manual for BC, to those who help with registrations and book sales, we are deeply appreciative. Thank you.”
Special Thanks:
Particular thanks to Jeff Morgan, Vice President, Adera Group of Companies who worked within our limited budget so that ACT could move into an efficient, functional new office space. Our new premises have allowed us to hire new staff, open a Family Resource Centre (coming in June!) as well as to improve our technology and provide adequate meeting space to accomodate families.
ACT is also appreciative of Ian MacKenzie of Prospera Office Interiors for his generosity in helping furnish our offices.
A special thanks to the Phoenix Academy of Learning (PALS) who provided the flowers and to the anonymous donor who provided the wine for the Open House.
