As a part of its altruistic endeavors, the American Multinational Bank, Wells Fargo has teamed up with the University of Oregon ‘philanthropy’ department and forked out a yeraly grant of $5,000 to a local nonprofit organization called ‘KindTree – Autism Rocks’.
During the celebration of its annual philanthropy class program, UO and Wells Fargo handed the grant to KindTree for offering community-based support systems and help the autists accept and acclimatize to the world, in their own way.
Every year, the freshman studying “American Philanthropy” in the University of Oregon assess, evaluate, and advocate a Eugene-Springfield non-profit organization for such grants. And it’s for the second time in a row that KindTree has been chosen for the donation.
“Even though we are an all-volunteer organization, money is still needed to rent the Boy Scout facility for our Friends and Family Camp, buy food for up to 250 people, provide quality art materials, effective safety equipment, budget scholarship funds and purchase supplies that we can reuse year after year,” said Tim Mueller, secretary and treasurer for KindTree.
The freshman seminar is co-founded by Renee Irvin, UO professor of planning, public policy and management, and Dave Frosaker, recently retired Wells Fargo senior trust officer.
“Our connection to this seminar is not a coincidence,” said Derek Nickleson, a Wells Fargo private banker in Eugene. “The subject of philanthropy, community support and helping others succeed has been a central focus of Wells Fargo during the past 162 years. We are committed to supporting the communities in which we do business, and that certainly includes Lane County.”
The UO course has inspired many universities and high schools across the country to host similar ventures. The specialized philanthropic course helps students peer into the real-world aspects of nonprofits and philanthropy.
After extensive research and assessments, students pick a organization that could utilize the $5,000 grant most effectively. Not just that, they have to advocate their choice to other peers for voting rounds to narrow the competition from 30 possibilities to four finalists and one grant recipient.
What is Autism
Once deemed as a rare developmental disorder, today, autism is pervasive worldwide. Although, the determinant remains a mystery to this day, many postulate the condition as genetic. With the growing ratio of autistic children in the community, the need for support systems is felt larger than ever.
A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction that adversely affects a child’s educational performance, Autism may include autism spectrum disorders like repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.
The most misunderstood presumptions about people that are afflicted with autism is that they are unable to lead productive lives and assimilate into society. This is an extreme falsehood because there are so many levels of autism affectation. It affects each person differently both in intensity and how it affects each core area.
Facts about Autism
Autism affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
Autism is on rise in children than ever
Autism is the rapidly-increasing grave developmental disability in the U.S.
Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
Four out of five children diagnosed with autism are males.
There is no medical detection or cure for autism
According to the National Center For Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 150 births result in some form of
Autism nationally. Oregon’s rate of diagnosis is about 1 in 91 students. The rate among military families is 1 in 83.
KindTree – Autism Rocks is committed to serving and celebrating Autistic people and raising awareness and understanding of autism in the wider community. Ever since its inception in 1997, the organization has emerged as a driving force in aiding children, adults and families battling with autism in the Eugene area. Not limited to just one thing, KindTree – Autism Rocks offers a gamut of art, recreational and community programs specific to the needs of autistics.
Campnavigator has delved deep and found that every year, this all-volunteer organization hosts autism community with an annual summer autism camp at the Camp Baker Boy Scout Camp. Conceived to cater to the needs of the autists, the retreat props up as a relaxing, safe and nurturing sanctuary for the autists, providing rejuvenation, solidarity and acceptance. Since 1997, the summer autism camp/retreat has grown from 12 to 160 participants.
Do you need help in identifying perfect special needs camp for your child feel free to reach info@campnavigator.com or call 1-855-campnavigator ( 1-855-226-7628).
