Respite in a safe and happy environment for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders 905-420-0388 |
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FOOTPRINTS provides respite services for families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Durham Region. Established in 2004, this volunteer-driven, not-for-profit program is dedicated to providing respite care for children 13 years of age and under on a weekly basis in Durham Region. An outreach program of Dunbarton-Fairport United Church, the program is designed solely for benefit of the afflicted children and for the relief of their families. FOOTPRINTS relies on trained volunteers to care for the children under the guidance of a trained and qualified Program Consultant.
Respite locations in Pickering and Whitby
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FOOTPRINTS is once again participating in the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge on Sunday October 20th. FOOTPRINTS has entered a team since 2009 and has raised over $25,000 through this event. All monies raised through this event go directly back into the program and provide much needed funds for equipment, training workshops, and consumables such as art ‘n’ craft supplies.
The current Committee members are: Ellen Thompson, Steering Committee member, Victoria Kidd, FOOTPRINTS Whitby volunteer, and Heather Johnson, Marketing & Fundraising Consultant. We are inviting YOU to consider joining us this year!
The Marathon Committee is looking for 3 – 5 volunteers to work on this year’s marathon: encouraging volunteers, family members, and friends to sign up to participate and to raise funds, approach local businesses to sponsor Team FOOTPRINTS, and to help promote FOOTPRINTS and this event in the local community.
The first meeting of the 2013 Marathon Committee will be held on Monday May 6, 2013 at 7:00pm at Whitby Central Library. If you are interested in participating on this Committee, please contact me at 905-420-0388 ex.2 or via email.
Investors Group, Pickering Region reinvests support in local camp for children with autism
Pickering, Ontario – April 17, 2013: FOOTPRINTS, a local charitable respite program for families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is pleased to announce that the Pickering Regional office of Investors Group has renewed its support as the Lead Sponsor of Camp Great Strides.
In his confirmation of Investors Group Pickering Region’s renewal of support, Financial Consultant John Garnett stated that “Investors Group Pickering Region is pleased to continue as the lead sponsor of FOOTPRINTS Camp Great Strides program. I am very glad that Investors Group is continuing to support this worthwhile initiative.”
FOOTPRINTS began offering Camp Great Strides as a direct response from families facing the challenge of finding appropriate care for their children diagnosed with ASD during the March, summer and holiday breaks from school. The camps are an extension of the weekly FOOTPRINTS program and utilize the same locations and volunteers, thereby providing a level of comfort and consistency for the children. Camps are usually offered in 3-day sessions and can accommodate up to five children. With the renewed support of Investors Group Pickering Region, FOOTPRINTS will be able to offer three camps this year at both our Pickering and Whitby locations.
From Our Families
As the parents of two sons affected with autism, our lives tend to revolve around these children and their high needs, often to the detriment of their siblings. The ability to send our children to a respite program like FOOTPRINTS gives us a much needed reprieve and the opportunity to focus on our other children, and even ourselves.” – Bradbury family
“My family has not had a vacation in the 10 years since our daughter (who has ASD) was born. Respite costs around $20/hour (private respite) and is not easily funded. So this is why we are so happy to be able to receive affordable and high quality respite every other Saturday morning from FOOTPRINTS. My husband, son and I go out for breakfast, go shopping together, visit with friends – things we cannot do easily with our daughter – on these Saturdays and it gives us a feeling of a “normal life”. My daughter loves going to FOOTPRINTS and is able to participate in activities that she enjoys with her peers.” – Rankin Family