A member of Charlie’s Gift Center Teen Club poses with items received via Assistance League’s Project Stepping Stone philanthropy.
Assistance League of Chicagoland West recently provided funds to purchase educational tools to assist Charlie’s Gift Center for Autism and Related Disorders, a Hinsdale Community House program for children, adolescents, teens, and young adults with autism and their families through its Project Stepping Stone philanthropy. Charlie’s Gift Center offers a host of services including a new interactive Teen Club for young adults aged 14-16 to help teens with autism and related disorders improve their social skills.
“We were thrilled to help the Community House get this program started”, stated Maria Garino, VP of
Communications for Assistance League. “Our Project Stepping Stone program has been a wonderful way for
our member volunteers to give back to a unique recipient in the local community each year. Charlie’s Gift Center is a great fit with this philanthropy’s mission of providing one-time seeding with actual materials that will assist in the success of a new program. Charlie’s Gift Center’s Teen Club Program will provide these young people with the special services and training they need to prepare them for work and independent living.”
Assistance League provided more than $3,300 worth of items requested by the Charlie’s Gift Center program developers, including iPads and flat screen tv, books and games that teach social and language skills, cameras that will allow the groups to record their social interactions, craft items and music keyboard to promote creativity, a Wii game to practice teamwork and physical activity, and sensory items such as squeeze balls and bean bag chairs which can be used to develop stress relief when there is too much sensory input.
“The teens have had a good time in Teen Club playing the board games, crafting art projects and hanging out with their new friends on the bean bag chairs. Having fun stuff to do together has created a sense of togetherness among the boys who participated,” Kathy Ruffulo, Director of Charlie’s Gift Center indicated.
Charlie’s Gift Center for Autism and Related Disorders has offered interactive social clubs to younger children and adolescents as part of its services for several years but recognized the need for a similar club for teens. Launched in January 2016, the Teen Club met weekly for seven weeks and will start-up another 7 week session on Thursday April 14th at 5:30 pm. The Teen Club provides a fun, relaxing place for young teens challenged by autism and related disorders to come together, have fun, improve social-communication skills, build confidence and make new friends.
For further information on Assistance League and Project Stepping Stone, please contact Maria Garino at 312-952-7489 or communications@alcw.org.
For further information on Charlie’s Gift Center for Autism and Related Disorders or the Teen Club, please contact Kathy Ruffulo at 630-810-1200 or kruffulo@thecommunityhouse.org. The Community House is also sponsoring the 9th Annual Walk the Walk for Autism on April 24th with all proceeds benefitting Charlie’s Gift Center for Autism and Related Disorders. Further information on the Walk can be found at www.thecommunityhouse.org.
Assistance League of Chicagoland West was formed in 1995/96 and is part of a national organization over 80 years old with 120+ chapters. Last year, members of this local chapter volunteered more than 8,000 hours and touched the lives of more than 3,500 people across the western suburbs of Chicago. Philanthropic programs include: Operation School Bell® New winter coats, hats and gloves for local school kids in need, encouraging school attendance and increasing self-esteem; New Start All new kitchen essentials for families leaving homelessness, encouraging nutritious, home-cooked meals while maximizing limited budget resources; Early Reading Literacy backpacks for local Head Start sites and targeted low-income schools, encouraging a life-long love of reading; Scholars Support Scholarships for at-risk students at College of DuPage, encouraging graduation; Project Stepping Stone Meets special needs on a one-time basis.
Learn more about Assistance League of Chicagoland West by at www.alcw.org and Facebook.
120 E. OGDEN AVENUE, SUITE 100, HINSDALE, IL 60521
Phone: 630.321.2529 Website: www.alcw.org
Qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization Tax ID 36-4053184
The Community House | Celebrating 75 years of serving the community.
The rich and dynamic history of The Community House history began in 1941 when a group of visionary leaders recognized there was a growing need to support and serve their community. Committed to the belief that a vibrant community takes care of its own as the nation entered World War II, they set in motion a series of extraordinary accomplishments that took the organization from its roots in downtown Hinsdale, through moves, renovations and expansions each reflecting a need for growth. Through the culmination of generations of leadership, The Community House continues to elevate the quality of life.
Today, The Community House has become so much a part of the community that most people can’t remember a time when it wasn’t here, and could never dream of the possibility that it wouldn’t exist. In fact, it only exists today because of the vision and dedicated support from generous people. That support comes from personal involvement, engagement, reaching across diverse life experiences, risking vulnerability and an openness to learning together.
As we look to the next 75 years, we invite all to participate in a yearlong celebration.
To learn about Charlie’s Gift Center for Autism and Related Disorders, please contact Kathy Ruffulo at 630-810-1200 or visit www.thecommunityhouse.org.
