Nonprofit forms to fight autism
<p>Team Autism 24/7 supporters spend a little time with Jackson Barth, an autistic youth who provides the group with much of its inspiration. Pictured are Wayne Pignolet, Lisa Barth, Jackson Barth and Jen Christensen. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
SANDPOINT — After a successful fundraising drive and a cross-country bike race in 2011, Team Autism 24/7 is here to stay.
Building from the foundations of Race Across America, an endurance cycling event staged each summer, organizers behind the event have banded together to form a new nonprofit. With a dedicated group of supporters and program director in Jen Christensen, Team Autism 24/7’s mission is to provide both consistent support and fun events for families affected by autism.
“We’re really dedicated to making this not a flash-in-the-pan summer thing,” said Lisa Barth, one of the nonprofit’s organizers. “This is much more than that.”
While large-scale events certainly have their place, Team Autism 24/7 organizers want to be a source of support for families with children on the autistic spectrum. After all, according to group associate Wayne Pignolet, autism tends to affect individuals in very different ways. Some may be completely nonverbal, while others can speak but have other difficulties. Team Autism 24/7 aims to help no matter where an individual might fall on the autistic spectrum.
“It’s really a sense of passion that drives us,” Pignolet said.
A group of more than 40 people shared their varied experiences at a meeting hosted by the nonprofit. Families were able to empathize with fellow attendees’ struggles and were also able to give tips and solutions. For example, one couple wondered if they’d ever be able to take a proper family vacation, and others gave tips about how to make such a trip fun and stress-free.
Team Autism 24/7 wants to provide that kind of support and community on a regular basis to regional families affected by autism. However, they are also partnering up with other organizations and businesses on large, summertime events.
For all scheduled events, Team Autism 24/7 is partnering with larger, established organizations doing what they do best. However, the nonprofit is able to lend its expertise into shaping an experience that will be fun and valuable for autistic individuals.
Between now and Aug. 31, families can register their autistic child for a therapeutic horseback riding lesson at K2 Equestrian Center in Hayden. Autistic youth will be able to enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences at a Sandpoint Parks and Recreation camp from July 15-18. Finally, Sandpoint West Athletic Club will host four days of fun and games for autistic kids age 10-15 from July 29 to Aug. 1. Registration for all these events is free at www.teamautism247.com.
Nonprofit organizers hope that the local community will help them make life easier for families affected by autism. While they said financial help is always appreciated, everyone can assist Team Autism 24/7 by visiting the website — www.teamautism247.com — or by liking the organization on Facebook. These simple actions, along with spreading the word to friends and family, help the organization build up a profile that can be very useful.
“When we apply for grants, for example, we can say that we communicate regularly with x number of people on Facebook,” Pignolet said.
Organizers expressed their appreciation for the community’s willingness to help so far, whether the assistance comes from businesses, local government or individual actions.
According to group associates, they couldn’t do anything without that generosity.
“That’s just the kind of place Sandpoint is,” nonprofit associate David Barth said.