2007 Archives
Congratulations to Janet Knapp, CSAAC’s registered dietician, who won the Best Practice Award from the professional group, Consultant Dietitians in Health Care Facilities (CDHCF). Janet was selected winner for her submission on Menu Planning Approaches and Goals for Adults and Children with Autism. This is a short paper on the challenges and nutritional changes made at CSAAC since 2005; the focus being on menu plans, recipes, and shopping lists.
Holiday
Fun at CSAAC
On Friday, December 21st, children and adults served by CSAAC participated in our annual Holiday Party which was held at CSAAC’s Brookeville campus gym at the Community School of Maryland. Tamekia Ford, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator for CSAAC and her team of volunteers did a wonderful job turning the gym into a winter wonderland. Our own Santa Claus (a.k.a. Chief Human Resources officer, Dave Martone) arrived on the scene and distributed gifts to everyone. Thank you to Glenn Frankel of J&R Catering for the donation of cupcakes, and thank you to the Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club for assistance with set-up. Click here to view the photographs.
On Tuesday, December 4th, students from CSAAC’s Therapeutic Integration After-School Program in Howard County enjoyed a visit from Mt. Rainier Nature Center naturalist, Paula McNeil. The students learned fun and interesting animal facts and got to pet and touch a variety of animals including 2 different kinds of turtles, a snake, a skink (large lizard-type creature), and a rabbit. The visit was a great opportunity for the children with autism in our program to meet and learn about animals they might otherwise never see up close. Click here to view pictures
2nd Annual CSAAC Honors Gala
On Thursday, November 1, CSAAC held its 2nd Annual Honors Gala at the Bethesda Marriott on Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda, Maryland. This sold-out event hosted 325 guests, included a live and silent auction, and raised $100,000 for CSAAC Foundation, a record-breaking goal. The theme of the event was “A Change in the Weather… Change the Climate for Children and Adults with Autism.” Click for more
We wish to thank our sponsors for their support of this
event:
Noah’s Pretzels Donates to CSAAC at Grand Opening
On Saturday, October 27, Noah’s Pretzels held their grand
opening of their newest store in Lakeforest Mall in
Gaithersburg, Maryland. A sizeable crowd gathered to
support owner Dwayne Herndon, his partner Jonathan Reed, and
Dwayne’s son Noah, who has autism, on this momentous
occasion. Dwayne and Jonathan started Noah’s Pretzels with
the goal of helping local autism service providing agencies,
like CSAAC. CSAAC was the beneficiary of a $500 donation at
the grand opening, and Ayda Sanver, Director of Community
Development, was on hand to receive the check. Noah cut the
ribbon and the new store was open for business! When you ask
Noah, “Whose store is this?” he says, “Mine!” Stop by the
store located on the lower level near Sears, thank Dwayne
for his support, and bring a picture of your loved one with
autism for “The Faces of Autism” wall inside the store. For
more information on Noah’s Pretzels, visit
www.noahspretzels.com
Halloween 2007 at CSAAC
Halloween is a very fun time of year for the children and adults served by CSAAC. This year’s party for the 130 children and adults in our residential program was held on Friday, October 26, at CSAAC’s Community School of Maryland’s gym, and was planned by Janet Knapp, M.S., CSAAC’s Nutritionist, filling in for Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, Tamekia Ford, who sprained her ankle (get well soon, Tamekia)! Click for more
“Amerigroup Community Cares” Cares for our School Children
On Tuesday, September 4, 2007, Dawn Boyd, Account Manager for
Amerigroup Community Cares, brought new red backpacks for
CSAAC’s school children at the Community School of Maryland,
Brookeville campus. Amerigroup Community Cares is a
provider of health insurance through the Maryland State
Medicaid program. Time and time again, Amerigroup has made
these outward gestures of caring for our students with
autism. Norma Villanueva, Education Director, and Ayda
Sanver, Director of Community Development, CSAAC Foundation,
were on hand to welcome Dawn and visit classrooms with her
as she distributed backpacks to the students. Ms.
Villanueva said, “We are most grateful for these backpacks,
and appreciate Dawn and the Amerigroup team for all their
support over the years.” CSAAC thanks Amerigroup Community
Cares for their continuing support of CSAAC’s programs.
Click here
for photos
Adults with Autism in CSAAC’s Therapeutic Recreation Program
It was a summer full of fun, socializing, and learning new
leisure skills for the 130 adults served by CSAAC.
Individuals in both the Residential and Vocational Programs
participated in an 8-week Dance Movement and Yoga program,
with services provided through Art Stream. In addition,
several Arts and Crafts classes were lead by Tamekia Ford,
CSAAC Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator. On Friday, July
25, 2007, CSAAC and CSS (a local sister agency) individuals
participated in a night of dancing at the CSAAC Brookeville
Campus for the “Luau Dance.” Tamekia welcomed everyone with
Hawaiian leis to wear. At the party, everyone enjoyed lots
of dancing, good music, and great food. The individuals and
staff especially enjoyed the limbo dance, the party line,
and taking photos by the giant tiki. On August 18, 2007, a
few individuals and Tamekia Ford went to the Baltimore
Ravens Training Camp and had a great time.
Click for more
Team “Rolling for Autism” Rolls Through CSAAC!
CSAAC hosted a group of special visitors on Monday, July 30, 2007, known as the “Rolling for Autism” Team. Six college students, led by recent Union College graduate and Founder, Dan Tatar, embarked on a rollerblading journey from Florida to Maine to raise autism awareness in June 2007. Click for more
Family and Staff Picnic Enjoyed by All
On Saturday, June 30, 2007, CSAAC children, adults, family members and staff enjoyed a beautiful day at our Brookeville Campus for the CSAAC Annual Picnic. The CSAAC Diversity Committee planned, organized and hosted the picnic. Click for more
Graduation Day at the Community School of Maryland
On June 29, 2007, commencement exercises were held for the following graduates of the Community School of Maryland: Evan B, Scott G, Ike O, and Andrew T. Parents, families, friends, and classmates celebrated this milestone with the graduates. Click for more
A Day at the Park
On Sunday, June 10, 2007, individuals supported in the CSAAC Adult and School Residential Programs spent the day at Six Flags America. Click for more
Deloitte Impact Day at CSAAC
On Friday, June 8, 2007, approximately 100 employees of Deloitte, a worldwide leader in financial advisory services, volunteered their time at CSAAC’s Brookeville Campus of the Community School of Maryland to give it a makeover!
CSAAC on Fox 5 News News
On Wednesday, April 11th, Claudia Coffey of Fox 5 Morning News filmed three live segments with CSAAC’s Executive Director, Ian Paregol, and Director of Community Development, Ayda Sanver, at one of CSAAC’s community-based residences in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Because April is National Autism Awareness Month, many networks are featuring the struggles and triumphs of autism in their newscasts. This is the 3rd television appearance that CSAAC has made in the last ten days. Click here for photos of the Fox event Click here to watch the video from the Fox 5 website
Transportation Department recognizes Shuttle Drivers safety record
Under CSAAC's new "Recognizing Excellence" initiative, two recent awardees were honored by the management team. In recognition of superior safety and service to the daily transportation needs of CSAAC, shuttle drivers, Steve Wilkinson and Trevor Watson were both given certificates indicating a year of incident free road navigation. Click for more
Amerigroup Community Cares Visits CSM
Amerigroup Community Cares visited CSAAC’s Community School of Maryland, Brookeville campus, on Thursday, April 26 with gift bags for our school children, which included insulated lunch totes and water bottles. Amerigroup offers health insurance through the Medicaid program in the State of Maryland. We thank Amerigroup Community Cares for caring about our school children. Click here for photos
On Thursday, March 26, the Community School of Maryland PTA met at the CSAAC training center on Gude Drive in Rockville. Ayda Sanver, Director of Community Development, was the speaker for the evening. Click for more
After-School Program Attends Karate
The FISS After-School program (Montgomery County) attended a class at CIMA karate studios. Click for more
Community School of Maryland Commemorates Black History Month
On February 23, 2007, Community School of Maryland students toured the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore to commemorate Black History Month. During the month of February, students have been learning about our country’s heritage and the leaders who have shaped the nation. Lessons have been conducted on Americans from civil rights leaders to the inventor of the stop light.
Silver Diner Fundraiser for CSAAC
On Wednesday, April 25, CSAAC leadership hosted “Silver Diner Nite” for our families and individuals, in honor of April as National Autism Awareness Month. The event was a huge success! We sold out the diner solid from 5:30-8:30 p.m.! Nearly all adults and children in the residential program attended with their counselors, and several family members too. Click for more
Community School at Northwood student Reed has successfully been working at K.B. Toys located in Lakeforest Mall, Gaithersburg. Reed goes to work every Friday and travels on the Ride On bus. Reed is supported by his school Teacher Assistant, Trevor. Reed enjoys the financial independence this job has given him.
