New Avenue Foundation is developing new strategies and activities to promote community inclusion.  We are in our second year of operating a vendor stand at the Media Farmers Market. This project has been successful in creating visibility for people with developmental disabilities and autism. Please see the two photos.

Look at the crowd of people around Linda’s weavers loom. Linda is a partner in our stand, selling fibers and products from her alpaca farm.  Look at Ellie’s jewelry, she is a jeweler with autism who now has a viable outlet for her products. We have partnered with Kaleidoscope Family Solutions which supports Ellie.

New Avenue Foundation is now a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. We will be greatly expanding our efforts to promote community inclusion, develop housing alternatives and offer more creative programs and services  to people with disabilities.

One area that New Avenue focuses on is expanded services for people with developmental disabilities and autism.  Parents are essential in improving these services because we have important insights to what is needed and what may work.  I am happy to say that I have the privilege of serving on two committees working to improve services for people with dabilities and autism. I am a team co-leader in the Office of Developmental Programs Futures Planning program for the HCBS waiver programs, and a member of the Delaware County Employment Forum.  In both committees my role is that of family member representing the views of people with developmental disabilities and autism.