The next HEAL TOGETHER! Meeting is Monday February 14th - Valentine's Day

Calling all parents and children: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us at the HEAL TOGETHER! Monthly Meeting.  While parents are sharing their experiences on how we define and constantly redefine love, children will be supervised by sitters while having their own structured fun.  We will all come back together for the last few minutes of the meeting to share Valentine’s Day together as a HEAL Community.
Many of you have expressed that having childcare at the meetings would be helpful and make attendance easier for you.  We agree!!  So we have arranged childcare for Monday the 14th, and depending on feedback, will continue to provide it at our HEAL TOGETHER! Monthly Meetings. 

Please RSVP to linda@healautismnow.org as soon as possible so that we may ensure we have enough sitters. 

HEAL wants to thank Nicole Clark, founder of Asher’s Journal and Michelle Dunham, founder of Jacksonville School for Autism for speaking at our January meeting.  These two Moms created a business as a way to help their child with Autism.  These entrepreneurs gave great presentations on how their children’s needs spurred them on to start a business – businesses that help them…and help others affected by Autism. 

Mark your calendar to join us at the next HEAL TOGETHER! Meeting, on Monday, December 13 from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Christ's Church (9A and US1)
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Puzzle Piece Counseling ~ Make Taking Care of You a Resolution for 2011!  Counseling now provided at Pediatric Partners of Ponte Vedra!

A brand new year is upon us, and so are the resolutions we attempt to make and keep each year.  If you are the parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, most of your resolutions probably surround your child.  Perhaps this is the year you want to try a new supplement, therapy or diet with your child.  Perhaps this is the year your child will speak or play appropriately with his/her peers.  The hope of what lies on the horizon is exciting.  While it's easy and logical for most of us to make our children the center of our universe, especially when their needs are so pressing, it's also not wise to do so.  Too many parents take on the fight against autism at break-neck speed, and inadvertently put themselves, and sometimes their marriages at risk.  So why not make a new resolution, this year, to take care of YOU. 

If you're not sure where to start, or how it's even possible to do that with all you have going on, that's where counseling can help.  Pediatric Partners of Ponte Vedra, office of HEAL co-founder, Dr. Julie Buckley, has just joined forces with counselor, Janeen Herskovitz, MA, and owner of "Puzzle Peace Counseling", to offer affordable mental health counseling right in their office.  Janeen worked as the Outreach coordinator for HEAL for several years, and is the creator and facilitator of the HEALing Families program, a therapeutic support group that runs for ten weeks at a time, twice a year.  She is also the mother of a thirteen-year-old son, severely affected by autism. In addition to a masters degree in Mental Health Counseling, from Webster University, Janeen also holds a BA in Special Education. She is currently working toward state licensure. Continue reading article

Register today!  First Coast Zoo Walk For Autism ~ Sunday, April 10th

April is Autism Awareness month and HEAL is gearing up for the 3rd Annual First Coast Zoo Walk For Autism. Don’t miss this year’s special program.  HEAL is taking over the Great Lawn and packing it with bouncy houses, face painting and more!  The walk will be at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, sign up is 7:30 AM and the Walk begins at 8:30 AM.

Now is the time to register for this great event!  Online registration is now open at www.firstgiving.org/HEAL. At this site you can sign up for the walk, form a team and raise funds for HEAL by creating your own webpage through www.firstgiving.org/HEAL. The top five fundraisers will receive prizes at the event.  Any web page raising $100 in donations will receive a HEAL T-shirt.
The proceeds raised from this event will go towards benefiting local schools, education and various local programs benefiting those with Autism living in our community.

You are encouraged to bring your friends and family, participate in the walk, visit the great lawn, and enjoy the beauty of the Zoo.  Your registration is good for the whole day!

This is a great opportunity to raise awareness, help the cause, and connect with other families with Autism in our community. Please help us spread the word, and be a part of something positive and fun for those with Autism living on the First Coast.

• Children 12 and under are admitted FREE
• Registration fee for adults is $15 per person
• Click here to sign up!  
• Click here to be a Sponsor of this event!

Support HEAL All Year Round!

There are many ways you can help HEAL help those with Autism. Not only will you be promoting awareness that Autism effects us all, but you will also be giving back to HEAL so we may continue to support programs to benefit the Northeast Florida Autism Community.

• Donate to HEAL and receive a certificate to give as a gift. Just go to our website. Your donation is tax deductible!
• Looking for variety? Check out the HEAL store at Café Press and purchase clothing, mugs, note cards and more.
• Decorate your home with art from Barefoot Charities. All of the beautiful artwork is created by local artists with Autism.
• Give a friend or family member a copy of “Healing Our Autistic Children” by Julie Buckley, MD, a co-Founder of HEAL. Click here for the website.
• Start forming your team for the HEAL Zoo Walk for Autism on April 10! Registration is now open.

Thank you for all you do to help HEAL make a difference throughout the First Coast in the lives of those affected by Autism.