23 Programs Throughout The United States For
Adolescents and Adults with Autism
Residential,Recreational, Vocational, Educational and Family Programs That HonorThe Individuality of Those with Autism Will Receive 2008 Grants
Ridgewood,NJ (February, 2008)…The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation, the firstorganization in the United States with the mission to award grants toprograms that enhance the lives and benefit adolescents and adults withAutism, has announced that it will award grants to 23 role modelprograms nationwide in 2008 . The foundation has been awarding grantsto residential, recreational, vocational, educational and familyprograms for adolescents and adults with Autism since 2002. Thehallmark of all DJF supported programs is that they provide suitable,stimulating and sustainable opportunities for participation incommunity life. “It is an attainable goal for each child with Autism tobecome an adult who can contribute to and enjoy the benefits ofcommunity life if we develop the programs and necessary supportsystems,” said Linda Walder Fiddle, Founder and Executive Director ofthe foundation, “ and we are greatly encouraged that more and moreprograms for adults are being modeled from the grant programs we havepreviously supported. Today, parents of young children with Autism canlook to their future with hope and that did not exist even five yearsago.”
The expertise of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundationencompasses developing, identifying, supporting and supervisingexemplary programs with a particular focus in 2008 on programs foryoung adults as they transition from mandated school age programs tothe uncharted waters of adult life. The foundation’s 2008 granteesinclude several transition vocational training programs for youngadults throughout the United States including: Bittersweet Farms, Inc.,Ohio; The Victory School, Florida; Eden II, New York; Nashoba LearningGroup, Massachusetts; Developmental Disabilities Institute, New York;FECA, New York; and The Kelly Autism Program, Kentucky. Other grantsfor 2008 will support recreational and family related respite programsfor teens and adults with Autism including: Groupo Salto, Illinois;Vista del Mar, California, Fountain House, Inc., New York; Ramapo forChildren, New York; Agape Therapeutic Riding, Indiana; OpportunityPartners, Minnesota; and ALUT in Israel.
“The Daniel JordanFiddle Foundation is committed to supporting and encouraging thedevelopment of role model programs for adolescents and adults in NewJersey,” said Linda Walder Fiddle,” because the nation looks to NewJersey as a leader, especially since the incidence of Autism in thisstate is 1 in 94 children.” New Jersey based programs awarded FiddleFoundation grants for 2008 include: The Autism Center of NJMS; DurandAcademy; Rutgers Douglass Developmental Disabilities Program; POAC; ThePhoenix Center; The Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities;ECLC; PAWS for Autism; The Ridgewood YMCA. These programs will createmuch needed opportunities for teens and adults with Autism to live,work and recreate in New Jersey.
For more information on The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation visit http://www.djfiddlefoundation.org/
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