HEAL Partners with the Cummer Museum to create HEALing Arts

HEAL made a grant to The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in order to support two projects serving thousands of children in the greater Jacksonville area.  The Very Special Arts (VSA) Festival provides hands on art experiences to over 2,300 children with disabilities over a four day period.  At least 10% of these children are on the spectrum. This festival will be held April 8-11.  If you are interested in volunteering for this festival, please call (904) 355-0630.

In addition, HEAL's grant will cover scholarships for children on the spectrum to attend Camp Cummer this summer.  Please watch for more information about HEALing Arts.

HEAL's Bowling league went so well, Mark Skoog has agreed to organize another session starting March 29th.  Over 20 kids came on Saturday's to Beach Bowl in Jacksonville Beach the past six Saturdays.  "It's really for the kids to have some fun" said Skoog.  Kitty Brent wrote about her son Dante "not only did he bloom with others who understood him, and didn't shun him, but this was the one place he would not tantrum.  I can not wait for the team to be together again in April!"

HEALing Families Group

In an attempt to expedite the healing process for our families, HEAL began a program called HEALing Familes.  In February, eight moms of newly diagnosed children began meeting in St. Augustine with group leader, Janeen Herksovitz..  Janeen is a graduate student in Marriage and Family Therapy and the mother of a ten year old son with autism, named Benjamin.  The group is designed to provide support and counseling in a therapeutic group setting.

Group member, Lori Barfield, describes her experience in the group as "...a safe haven to share my hopes and fears concerning my special son to a group of moms who are the bravest I have ever met."   

Click here to contact Janeen for information on HEAL's mentor mom's program and upcoming groups.

HEAL Grant Applications

The turnout was great with parents coming from three states and from all over Florida.  We hope to hold another seminar like this in Fall of 2008.  Thank you to the TPC Sawgrass for allowing HEAL to use their Media Center for this important event.

Click here to tell us what seminar you would be interested in attending.

• March 29, 2008: HEALing Autism Through Bowling begins again
• June 2008:HEAL Special Day at the Beach/Surf Camp
• June 26th & 27th, 2008: Valley of Dreams Gala and Charity Golf Classic at the Tournament Players Club Sawgrass