HEAL Launches New and Improved Website!

HEAL has updated our website, www.HealAutismNow.org, to help us better serve the Autism community living on The First Coast.  Each month, our website is accessed by thousands of families, teachers and therapists looking for more information about Autism resources, news and events.

The HEAL Foundation is a local non-profit organization in Florida serving individuals with Autism living in the Greater Jacksonville Area. Through grant requests submitted, HEAL has given more than $600,000 supporting local schools, camp, and programs. We hope you will utilize the HEAL website to gather information on resources at the local and national level, find out about local events, or how apply for a grant to serve individuals with Autism in the First Coast Area.

Please visit us at www.HealAutismNow.org.  We are interested in your thoughts, comments and suggestions so don’t be shy!  Email us at info@healautismnow.org to give us your feedback.

HEAL would like to thank Circlescapes, our web designers for their hard work and creativity on this project!

Saturday Bowling League - Starts November 7th

HEALing Autism through Bowling returns for the Fall season! Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 7th at 12:30 to join HEAL’s partner and Super Dad, Mark Skoog at the Beach Bowl on Beach Blvd in Jacksonville Beach.

This program fosters inclusion, teamwork and structure while giving kids with Autism a chance to participate in a sport, and parents an opportunity to cheer them on! A therapist will be onsite, and GF/CF snacks are available for all. This is a fun, non-competitive environment, and kids are welcome to stop in on whatever Saturdays are convenient. There is a minimal$5 fee to participate.

The Really, Really, Really Late Show - HEAL/Joey Travolta Film Premiere at UNF

The World Premiere of the Really, Really, Really Late Show. The film was directed by Joey Travolta and created by kids who attended  the HEAL Film Camp.

The Premiere is scheduled for Sunday, November 15at the University of North Florida Student Union, 2nd Floor Auditorium.  Film showing is at 1PM, doors open at 12:45 PM. The event is open to the public, and tickets are a $5 donation to HEAL. 

RSVP in advance.  Parking is free.

HEAL would like to thank our partners on this project MDI Holdings, for sponsoring the Film Camp, University of North Florida for hosting the camp, Karen Sadler of Filmlab Productions for producing an amazing experience, and Joey Travolta and his team for making this movie. 

National Autism Association Calls Upon Obama to Declare Autism a National Health Crisis

A new report out places autism rates among U.S. children at one in 91, with autism now affecting one in 58 boys. These new numbers, from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are prompting outrage from parents and autism advocates over inaction from government health agencies in addressing the crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of American families.

In contrast to its response to these alarming numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has spent billions of dollars developing an H1N1 vaccine despite growing questions regarding the severity and prevalence of swine flu, and concerns over the safety of the vaccine.

"We hope these new numbers will create an immediate shift in priorities, especially within the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)" said National Autism Association (NAA) board member Kelly Vanicek. "This nation's children need the CDC's full attention, and we are again asking President Obama to declare autism an epidemic and a national health crisis."

Click here to read more.

Marston is a fan of HUG and Film Camp

By Chris Weiss, Mom to Marston

Marston, 14, attended the Heal Film Camp as well as the Heal Golf Camp.  Both were overwhelming successes.  For parents of a child on the spectrum, our days are filled with anxiety and worry.  His days are filled with school and therapy.  There is little room for a kid to be a kid.  This is where the Heal camps come in.

Marston attended both film camps.  The happiness and joy he experienced were overwhelming.  Joey Travolta and his crew were able to inspire, teach and help the children have a wonderful 2 weeks.  Marston made friends and more importantly had a normal camp experience-just like his brother.  He is already asking about next year’s camp.

The HUG golf camp was spectacular.  The TPC Sawgrass treated the kids like golf pros.  They mixed in golf, exercise, and nature.  They taught Marston normal social skills as well as starting an interest in golf.  He continues to take lessons with the TPC staff and is interesting in becoming a better golfer.  He wants to be able to golf with friends and family.

Both camps were amazing and they allowed our son to grow emotionally and socially, while having a great time in a loving environment.

Visit HEAL at the Pumpkin Patch

HEAL would like to thank Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ponte Vedra for selecting HEAL as a Pumpkin Patch charity recipients.  Please purchase your pumpkin there and a portion of the proceeds go to HEAL!  Lord of Life Lutheran is located at 276 North Roscoe Boulevard in Ponte Vedra.