JUDSON CENTER ALONG WITH THE CITY OF ROYAL OAK WILL BRING AUTISM TO LIGHT FOR NATIONAL AWARENESS MONTH BEGINNING WITH A TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IN DOWNTOWN ROYAL OAK ON WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY, APRIL 2ND.
During the month of April, Judson Center will be honoring National Autism Awareness month as we Bring Autism to Light for World Autism Day (officially April 2nd). The community is invited to the Autism2Light ceremony, as we light up 5th Avenue in downtown Royal Oak.
Autism2Light will be held on Monday, April 2 from 6-7pm on 5th Avenue, east of Washington Avenue.
Autism2Light is a family-friendly ceremony that promotes understanding and awareness for autism. With support from English Gardens, trees on 5th Avenue will officially light up in blue (the color for autism awareness) with the help of Judson Center President and CEO, Lenora Hardy Foster and City of Royal Oak leadership. The Autism2Light ceremony will also include refreshments and the opportunity to pick up a free LED blue lightbulb for your home.
“We are excited to Bring Autism to Light to downtown Royal Oak and share this moment with our Judson Center families and supporters in the community. We hope this event encourages awareness, understanding and most importantly, a dialogue that encourages acceptance for people impacted by autism”, shared Lenora Hardy-Foster, President and CEO.
A preliminary kickoff to Bring Autism to Light will begin on Monday, March 19th, when Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier along with the City Commissioners, will present, for the second year in a row, an autism proclamation honoring National Autism Awareness Month and the life-changing programs at Judson Center’s Autism Connections. Royal Oak is also urging all employees, residents and members of the business community to join the movement.
Judson Center’s Royal Oak campus will shine bright in blue thanks to the support of English Gardens, and the community is invited to stop by Judson Center and pick up their free lightbulb or visit any of Royal Oak’s three fire stations or the Royal Oak Public Library.
Companies can also participate and Bring Autism to Light by shining blue for autism, designating a day to wear blue for autism awareness, and making a donation to Judson Center’s Autism Connections.
“The Bring Autism to Light campaign is now in its second year. It was a huge success last year and we expect it to be one this year, because the need for services in Metro Detroit is growing, and so is the need for understanding. Bring Autism to Light, truly does that. We want families to know, you are not alone and at Judson Center, we hear you, see you, and want to help”, shared Lenora Hardy-Foster.
Since 2005, Judson Center’s Autism Connections program has been providing comprehensive services to the entire family impacted by autism. Currently one in 68 children are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and in Michigan, there are over 50,000 individuals living with ASD.
For more information on how to get involved in Bring Autism to Light, visit www.judsoncenter.org, or contact Kayla Collins at 248-837-2007 or kayla_collins@judsoncenter.org.