RESOLUTION HONORING "A PLACE FOR ME" AUTISM LEARNING CENTER
WHEREAS, "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center will hold their 5th Annual Dinner & Dance For Autism as a fundraiser on April 20, 2013 at the Hampton Inn, 33 West Illinois, Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Michelle Harris, Alderman of the 8th Ward, has apprised this august body of this noteworthy event that benefits such a praiseworthy cause; now therefore
WHEREAS, "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center was founded as a not-for-profit organization seven years ago by Elaine Reeves-Haywood to help provide the tools, programs and services from which her autistic son and others like him could benefit; and
WHEREAS, Autism is a brain development disorder that usually manifests itself during a child's first three years and severely affects the ability to communicate and interact with others. A recent report that surveyed 8 year olds in 2000 and 2002, discovered that the occurrence of autism rose to 1 in every 150 American children, and almost 1 in 94 males. It is estimated that 1.5 million children and adults in this nation have autism spectrum disorder; and
WHEREAS, "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center offers consultation services for the family and support for the child affected by autism. They offer training classes customized to meet the needs of the individual with autism and their families and various services that include initial and on-going consultative support, training, and resources; and
WHEREAS, "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center professionals will observe a student in the current school setting to make recommendations and assist with their implementation, assist the teacher and parent with classroom or home organization and in implementing various computer programs. Additionally, they educate the parent in understanding and implementing communication strategies for the verbal and non-verbal child, including the use of social stories and role play for teaching social concepts as well as providing workshops and training sessions; and
WHEREAS, The Foundation has sponsored several family outings to promote, widen inclusion and social interaction of autistic children, and create environments where they feel comfortable. Outings which were sponsored included: An Evening of Theater; Back-to-School Outing; Walk for Autism; "Lobby Day" in Springfield; Skating for Autism; Bowling and Pizza Outing; Autism 50, and Sock Hop for Autism, and a Baseball Outing; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 13th day of March 2013 A.D., do hereby salute "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center and extend our best wishes for continued fulfillment in their endeavors to improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families.
MICHELLE HARRIS Alderman-8th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to salute "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center and Elaine Reeves-Haywood.