Sea the Possibilities and help the Autism Council of Utah

Autism Council of Utah 2015 Blue Gala

Sea The Possibilities  

Come enjoy a tour of the aquarium followed by an elegant dinner and leave fulfilled knowing you've helped our autism community.

Where: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium ~ 12033 S. Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, Utah 84020

When: May 29, 2015  

What: Fundraiser To Benefit Autism Needs In Utah, Semi-Formal or Formal Attire 

Ticket Price: $75, (Tables Seat 8) ~ Purchase Tickets By Paypal on our Website via credit card (please put the number of tickets, names of guests, and the best way to contact you in the memo field) or email to make other payment arrangements: www.cobilynnd@gmail.com. 

There are a limited number of tickets to this event and we anticipate it to be sold out. Therefore, tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

6:00 p.m. ~ Aquarium Views 

7:00 ~ Dinner Buffet & Presentation

8:00 ~ Donation Winners Announced

Questions: www.cobilynnd@gmail.com

Sensory School Age Fun!

A unique special needs program for older children and teens: This free activity group is aimed at those on the autism spectrum, but all school aged youth with special needs are welcome.

All non-affected siblings and friends are welcome. The attendance of an adult caregiver is required.

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

• June 27th
• August 22nd

Also, sign up for the summer library program starting June 1st!

All programs will be at the Kearns Library, 5350 South 4220 West Kearns, UT 84118.

Any questions, concerns and/or to be added to a special needs email group, please contact Carrie Rogers-Whitehead at crwhitehead@slcolibrary.org. 

Please note that we will not meet in July. 

And please join us on May 16th @ 10:30am for a special Sensory Fun with the therapy dogs of Intermountain Therapy Animals!

Run and Roll!

It’s time to “Run and Roll” again.

Join the Utah Independent Living Center for their 25th Annual 5K “Run and Roll”.

When: Saturday, June 13
Registration: SOON.  But definitely online by June 11 at www.UILC.org. 

Registration form also below.

Disability Mentoring Day at the Standard Examiner

Disability Mentoring Day is designed to bring students and job seekers with disabilities into the workplace where they can learn about various career opportunities. For 2015, students spent the day with the staff of the Standard Examiner newspaper in Ogden.

The event is sponsored by the Utah State office of Rehabilitation, the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and the Utah Business Employer Team. 

As students transition from the public school system to adulthood, exploring careers and opportunities helps them shape a future. Read about the event online at the Standard Examiner.

Generations Conference: Life Happens, Plans Change, I'm possible

The Generations Conference is a highly regarded annual conference for professionals dealing with critical behavioral health and addiction issues confronting today's adult generations. This year, the topic was, "Life Happens, Plans Change, I'm possible!"

The event, which was March 16-17 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, featured Jeffrey A. Griffin, M Ed as the keynote speaker.

"I always dreamed of playing sports on the ‘big stage’. As a kid I envisioned playing football as a receiver for Brigham Young University. As a freshman, I played as a receiver for the Ricks College (BYU Idaho) Vikings," Griffin told the audience. 

"Our 11-0 season taught me a lot about being on a team and working together. Team, to me, means, 'Together Everyone Achieves More!'

"I was one step closer to fulfilling my dream until the following summer when a construction accident left me paralyzed from the waist down. I was devastated when I fell 40 feet and shattered my back. My dreams were shattered too. 

"I thought life without organized sports was over until I was introduced to wheelchair sports. It has changed my life for the better. It has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet new people and different cultures.

"As I picked through the broken pieces of my dreams, I realized I had a decision to make. I could either stay down and quit or get back up and succeed. My experience has motivated myself and others to desire, dream, and do and I have since fulfilled my lifelong dream of performing on the ‘big stage.’ 

"In 2004, I was a member of the USA Men’s Paralympic basketball team in Athens, Greece. I competed in Amsterdam, Holland, as a member of the USA Men’s National World Championship team in 2006. I currently play for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association's (NWBA) Utah Wheelin' Jazz, and was the 2007 NWBA All-Star West MVP. 

"I am currently the #1 men's singles wheelchair tennis player in the State of Utah and have won the St. George Marathon. I also hold the 2008 Guinness World Record for the most free throws from a wheelchair.

"These successes, although impressive, do not define who I am. What really defines me is my ability to overcome life’s great challenges one step at a time!"

Shine Bright for Autism

From the Autism Council of Utah: Get ready to shine bright on April 22nd for our 3rd annual Autism Awareness night at Huka! 

We will have lots of fun things going on including the return of the staff auction and a raffle! Make sure to wear your shiniest outfit for a good cause.

• Staff Auction starts at 8:30 p.m.
• Bidding starts at $20 per person.
• The winning bidder gets to hang out with the Huka Girl/Guy for the evening.

Raffle tickets are $5 at the door and will start after the staff auction. All items for the raffle have been generously donated through members of the community. Music by Dj Seanny Boy.

All money acquired will be donated to The Autism Council of Utah, they use every penny donated to them to helping people with autism all over Utah.

Utah Inclusive Arts Festival

Integrating the arts is the goal of the Utah Inclusive Arts Festival on May 30 at the Tanner Dance center. Students are free, and educators can get CEU's. Learn more at www.tannerdance.utah.edu.