In this issue:

the groden center ∙ the cove center ∙ the halcyon center

Helen Morcos

A message from the President/Executive Director

Helen Morcos

Annual Appeal 2Annual Walk/Run 2Golf Tournament Update 3Job Club 3Calendar 4

The Groden

On behalf of the children and clients of THE GRODEN NETWORK, we thank you for your generosity. Without your sup-port, we would not be able to accomplish all that we do.

I hope you enjoy this issue of The Groden Spectrum and that you have a happy and safe Holiday Season .

SpectrumFall, 2013

Once again, it's time for our Annual Appeal. And, once again, we ask those of you who have so generously contributed in the past to help.

Autism occurs in approximately 1 in every 88 children. Although there seems to be an ever-growing need for the services that we provide to children, adolescents, and adults with autism, we unfortunately cannot say that the funding available to meet these needs has grown at the same pace. As we have reported over the last few years, we continue to be challenged by reductions in government funding.

In order for THE GRODEN NETWORK to continue to provide the highest level of care and the full range of educational, residential and treatment options to our students and clients that we have provided for more than thirty-seven years, finan-cial support from our families and friends is critical.

Technology has helped us to become increasingly efficient in supporting our clients and communicating with families and support agencies. However, technology can sometimes present its own challenges. By April 2014 we must upgrade all software and hardware throughout our organization because Microsoft will no longer support the version of Windows we use. Although this would be a daunting financial proposition for any business, it is even more so for a non-profit.

We ask you to help us by making a donation to our Annual Appeal. Donations may be made to a particular program, in honor or memory of a friend or loved one, as a payroll deduction or matching gift program with your employer, or as a gift for that friend or relative who has everything.

There are also other ways to give such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, coins, and wills and bequeaths. More details are provided on page 2. And, of course, if you are unsure about how to give, please contact our Marketing & Development Department at (401) 274-6310, ext. 1230.

Therapeutic Summer Camp for Children & Adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome

This summer's Therapeutic Summer Camps for children and adolescents with Asperger’s and related social challenges were a huge success! Of-fered through the Community Support Services Department and directed by Dr. Kelley Pistacchio, the camps were held at Kingston Hill Academy Charter School in South Kingston. Feedback from both parents and children was very positive. One parent of a younger child wrote, “My son loved this camp and will definitely return to a beautiful facility and top notch staff. He was so glad to make new friends and his improved flexibility was apparent to me right away”.

With this kind of response we hope to offer camp again next year!

www.GrodenNetwork.org

the groden center ∙ the cove center ∙ the halcyon center

The Groden Spectrum11th Annual IN STEP FOR AUTISM 3K Walk/5K Run & Family Field Day

On Sunday, September 29th our Annual Walk/Run was held in Colt State Park, Bristol, RI. A total of 700 walk-ers and runners joined us for a great day of exercise, food and fun!

The event was cosponsored by THE GRODEN NET-WORK and the Autism Society, RI Chapter. The day included a breakfast provided by one of our sponsors, Dunkin' Donuts, raffles, children's activities and a cook-out.

We were joined by ClearChannel Radio's Street Team who provided raffle tickets, games, prizes and other goodies.

Both the race and the walk were headed by Samboni, the Providence Bruins mascot.

The Rev Girls, from the New England Revolution soccer team, were also on hand to sign autographs and take pictures.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors, including:Dunkin' Donuts TargetAmica Insurance Road IDPiezoni's Whole Foods MarketPepsi Universal GoldJersey Mike's Russell Morin Fine CateringHomestead Baking Co. Roger Williams BeverageFinest Quality Catering Bailey's Team for AutismAvenue N White LionMelonhead Enterprises John M. Reposa, Jr. Team

Special thanks to Lisa Rego, President of the Autism Society, her parents, Pat and Tony Riding, and her brother, Mark Riding, for all their hard work. And, as usual, this event would not have been a success without our volunteers and staff! Many thanks to all!

For more pictures, please take a look at the back panel of this newsletter.

Annual Appeal

The men’s overall winner was Sam Booth of Bristol, RI with a time of 21:51, while the women’s overall winner was Tarsha Cicerone of North Providence, RI with a time of 22:51.

THE GRODEN NETWORK'S mission for the past 37 years has been to support children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges to lead productive, dignified and satisfying lives by:• Providing the most effective educational, therapeutic, and other habilitative services• Advancing knowledge and best practices through research, education and training• Involving, educating, and supporting families in caring and advocating for their children

In order to continue this legacy, we are asking our friends, families and supporters to contribute to our Annual Appeal.

In making your contribution, we offer a variety of programs and ways to assist our clients and their families.• Groden Center, Inc., our founding organization with day and residential programs for children and adolescents• Cove Center, Inc., our day, vocational and residential programs for adults in RI• Halcyon Center, our day and residential supports programs for adults in Massachusetts• Kingston Hill Academy, our inclusive public charter school• John Trimble Fund, a fund used in situations in which other resources have been utilized, but are unable to meet the needs of the people we serve• A gift in honor or memory of a special friend or relative• A gift for a special occasion for that someone who has it all• Payroll deduction from your employer• A matching gift from your employer• Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds• Wills and bequeaths (your "legacy")

In the near future, you will receive our Annual Appeal mailer. Please give generously, keeping in mind the children, ado-lescents and adults who depend on your help throughout the year. We've supported them for 37 years and with your help we can support them for as long as they need us!

To learn more about contributing or to make an online dona-tion, please visit our web site at www.GrodenNetwork.org/about/support-network.asp. You may also call our Market-ing and Development Department at (401) 274-6310, ext. 1230.

You may ask, "How can my contribution help?" $50 will purchase board games and puzzles for a class.$100 helps purchase sensory materials for our Early Intervention Program. $250 helps a residential home purchase a WiiFit Plus.$500 helps our adapted physical education program purchase three-wheeled bicycles.$1,000 will support the purchase of an Apple iPod sys-tem for three children who have difficulty speaking.

www.GrodenNetwork.org

the groden center ∙ the cove center ∙ the halcyon center

33rd Annual John Trimble Fund Golf Tournament for Autism Update

Held on July 15 at the Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, RI, our Annual Golf Tournament was a resounding success, surpassing the results of previ-ous years!

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and golf-ers, the funds raised by our annual golf tournament are used to provide equipment, transportation ser-vices, recreational services and materials needed by our clients.

Job Club

The Groden Spectrum

The COVE Center Job Club was established in June 2012 at the request of the RI State Office of Rehabilitation Services to provide employment and life skills training for young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. The program has three phases.

Phase I: Skill building and acquisition in the areas of so-cial skills, stress management, personal management and independent living, career building with both paid and unpaid community internships, and the ‘discovery’ or community ca-reer exploration process. Currently, six clients are enrolled. There are two sessions each year (July - November and January - May).

Phase II: Job development, job procurement, and job reten-tion in integrated community competitive employment. Phase II has five clients.

Phase III: Job coaching and utilizing natural supports for long-term job retention. Job Club Phase III has four clients.

Job Club clients are working with businesses all over the state! Here’s a partial list of some of the businesses where our Job Club clients have worked or are currently working:

Dunkin’ Donuts Distribution Center, Bionomes Pet Center, Shaw’s Supermarket, Bananagrams, Teknicote, A Sensation-al Child, RAM Designs Unlimited, The Green Grocer, On-Line Tutoring Services, Office Recycling Solutions, Lorimar Wood-working, The Groden Greenhouse, The Groden Network, The COVE Center, and Groden Center South.

Here are just a few Job Club Graduate Success Stories that demonstrate the kinds of positions that may result from our partnerships with these businesses: Greg S. was hired as the Front Office Administrative Assistant for Groden Center South, in Coventry, RI. Lucas H. was hired as a full-time production team member at Teknicote Industries in Bristol. Joseph D. was hired as a part-time sales and stocking as-sociate at the Green Grocer in Portsmouth, RI. All referrals for the Job Club are made to the COVE Center by the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS).

Our sincere thanks to the following sponsors:• Mutual of America• Phred’s Drugs• Citizen’s Bank• Sovereign Bank• Coca-Cola• Elmwood Dodge• Viti Mercedes-Benz• ADJ Donuts, Inc.• Rose & Kiernan• KDSA Consulting• DES Printing• Speaker Gordon D. Fox & the Rhode Island House of Representatives• Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island• Little Medeiros Bulman & Whitney PC• The Mayforth Group• The Providence Center• PCD Properties/The Wood Family• D’ambra Service Stations, Inc.

Send us your email address so that future issues of our newsletter and other important information can be sent to you via email. Using email helps save printing and postage costs. Please send an email to tlautieri@grodencenter.org and be sure that it includes your name and mailing address so that we can update our records. Thanks for your help!

Help Us Save by Sending Us Your Email Address!

Non Profit Org.

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calendar of events

november 2013Annual Appeal Pave the Way to KHA Commemorative Brick Program

December 13, 2013 Holiday Staff & Community Celebration Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Cranston, RI

April, 2014 Autism Awareness Month

June 20, 2014 Sea Side Reception The Dunes Club, Narragansett, RI

2013 - 14Visit GrodenNetwork.org/about/events for more information on these & other upcoming events.

Your contribution to THE GRODEN NETWORK provides us with the ability to continue to offer our clients the high-

est quality care. To learn more about contributing or to make an online donation, please visit our web site at www.GrodenNetwork.org/about/support-network.asp.

Thank you!

The Groden Center, Inc.610 Manton AvenueProvidence, RI 02909

11th Annual IN STEP FOR AUTISM 3K Walk/5K Run & Family Field Day