On Sunday, Oct. 1, Dunbarton-Fairport United Church shared some exciting news with the community that will benefit local children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. MPP Wayne Arthurs and Mayor Dave Ryan joined Ontario Trillium Foundation volunteer Lloyd White in congratulating the church on receiving a $131,300 grant to help their FOOTPRINTS program over the next five years.  

"FOOTPRINTS already provides valuable service for families in our community and this grant will aid in increasing the accessibility of respite services to those families.  I want to congratulate them on the fine work they are doing," said Wayne Arthurs, MPP for Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge. 

Established in May of 2004, FOOTPRINTS provides a happy and safe environment where children with Autism Spectrum Disorders can play, learn, and interact.  The grant, awarded in June, will be used over the next five years to optimize the health and well being of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families by increasing access to volunteer respite services. Every FOOTPRINTS volunteer is trained in Introduction to Autism, First Aid, and Crisis Prevention Intervention.  All sessions are supervised by an experienced co-ordinator. 

In January 2007, FOOTPRINTS will be expanding their hours of operation to Wednesday evenings and all day Saturday.  Educational toys, activities, and communication software will be purchased to enhance the program.  For more information on the program and how to volunteer, please contact Glenn Brown at (905) 839-7271 or visit their website at www.footprints4autism.org

FOOTPRINTS Steering Committee

Announcement Ceremony