Over the weekend, Downriver Family YMCA hosted the Safety and Fun Fair in partnership with the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAOM) and MI Y Is Autism.
The AAOM is staffed by autism professionals specializing in areas covering education, clinical, insurance, employment, legal and safety, and more. Parents, caregivers and educators can pose their own questions or learn from their blogs and responses from others with autism or in similar situations.
The AAOM also offers MiNavigator, the only program in the state that offers support regardless of insurance, geography or need. Free resources for Michigan are available and targeted to meet a family’s unique needs. Assistance navigating the autism journey is offered through face to face meetings, phone, email and web-based resources.
MI Y is Autism is a Michigan tour with a goal of spreading autism awareness. Alan Stokes and his teenage son Jonathan, who has autism, believe the YMCA is a place that can better the lives of people with autism. They spend the summer touring YMCA’s in the lower peninsula of Michigan in hopes to raise and spread autism awareness.
The Safety and Fun Fair hosted 19 vendors. Each vendor passed out important resources for families raising children with special needs. There was no admission fee and we offered free games, snacks, face painting and a bounce house. First responders also showed up and children were able to sit in the police cars and explore the fire truck. The children also learned about bus safety when the school bus also showed up.
The fair was enjoyed by Y members and many people in the community. It was a great event that we hope to host next year!
