Autism Resource Center 5K and Walk for Autism Awareness and Acceptance

The Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts’ 5K
& Walk for Autism Awareness and Acceptance is the signature fundraising event for the
Autism Resource Center. We are able to provide programs, services and events at
little to no cost for over 2,600 families as a result of the monies that are
raised from this and other events. Please help the Autism Resource Center
continue to support our families by joining us at the 5K or Walk.

The 1st annual Autism Resource Center of Central
Massachusetts Walk was held in April of 2000, with 100 walkers attending events
in 3 different locations. Those first events, pieced together by the sheer
faith and mutual support of the members of the Center, raised a total of $16,500
for the Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts.  In 2009, it was clear that the event had grown
exponentially and a 5K was added on. In 2013 the Walk and 5k fundraising totals
were up to $220,000. Now in our 14th year, we expect upwards of 2,000
runners and walkers to turn out at Lake Park on April 27. Many of these people
have some connection to the autism community or the families we support, while
others just have big hearts and sneakers to break in.

The Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts started
with a group of parents with one common bond: children with autism.  Back in 1997, the diagnosis was only given to
about 5 in 10,000. It was clear that those numbers were beginning to increase,
but to those parents gathered, it was still isolating, frightening, and largely
unknown. Services were nearly non-existent; early intervention was usually
difficult to access as the age of diagnosis at that time was usually about the
age that children aged out of Early Intervention. Support programs were
scattered and Central Massachusetts was the last region in the state to have a
Resource Center funded.  Something needed
to be done.

With some funding and direction from DDS (then the
Department of Mental Retardation), the Center set up shop in West Boylston,
MA.  HMEA, Inc. became the parent agency
(and remains so today) and from the moment the doors were open, families have
been welcomed on a daily basis. 

Today, the Center supports over 2,700 children AND THEIR
FAMILIES, and average 3 new families per week into membership.  Membership is free, and all of the programs
and events are free or low cost, with all fees collected going right back into
supporting our mission.  We provide
support, information, referral, family activities & events, educational
& therapeutic programs for children with autism as well as siblings, school
vacation events and community partnerships to area businesses.  We are the "Center" of the autism
community in Central Massachusetts. 

Please feel free to contact the Autism Resource Center of
Central Massachusetts at any time at 508-835-4278. For Walk and 5K sponsorship
opportunities, please contact jsiegel@hmea.org.
Following this link to learn more about the Center or to register for the 5K
and Walk event: http://www.autismresourcecentral.org/Fundraising/Run%20Walk/index.
We hope you can join us!