The meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom.
Watch for an email from the Club for Zoom access and
please note we use a recurring ID for your convenience.
Sergeant-at-Arms Report -
Rotarians Present: 26
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Michael Olivieri, Tonoa Jackson, Rebcca Briggs.
Happy Dollars: 40
Raffle Winner: No Winner
Fines:None today.
Birthdays
Kershwin Singh (August 12) Not present Larry Haber (August 15) Larry has been a Rotarian for more than half his life – 43 years! This is the third Rotary club that he’s been a member of and the BEST! He thanked the club for the honor of the Paul Harris Fellowship. He is proud to be a Rotarian! Deb Stanwood (August 15) Deb said it’s great to be here and expressed her love for the club, she was rendered speechless, and she commented that that doesn’t happen very often! Peter Vignati (August 16) – Peter will be celebrating his 20th year as a member of our club this September. He made a donation to the foundation and reminisced. He was president from 07-08 and thanked the club for always being there throughout the highs and lows of life. Peter commented that we have great projects and role models and that the four-way test is a wonderful way to lead your life – if we could all live our lives in that way we would have fewer problems in the world.
Happy Dollars
Lisa Barall-Matt returned from a trip to Kenya where she had a life-altering experience amongst the magnificent animals and locals. She is also happy about an upcoming trip to Florida to celebrate her mom’s 87th birthday. Her sister will be flying in from Colorado as well.
Bill Barnes with permission, Bill shared an update on fellow member Hank Frey. Hank has been dealing with a long-term health problem, and he is hanging in there with cancer treatments. Hank is doing well, and accepts that this is a part of his life but unfortunately can’t get out with big groups due to treatment but looks to connect with our members!
Debbie Altschwager was happy to report her daughter who suffered injuries after being hit by a car ran her first 5K since the accident and placed 4th two weeks ago. Last Friday she participated in another race running and walking 13 miles!
Gary Hyde was proud of his 11 year old granddaughter Emme who participated in a sailing camp in Maryland, and she was the winner of the best in age class and best in the entire base for 10-13-year-olds. Emme’s success earned her a spot to represent Annapolis in a 2-day yacht event!
Peter Vignati was happy that his wife Susanne planned an exciting anniversary trip next month. They will be traveling to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, which has a unique Scottish influence and is home to two of the top twenty golf courses in the world. Peter has a round scheduled to play at Cabot Links.
Salin Low recently returned from a trip to Kansas City with her sister and is glad that we are not a thing like her family ;)!
Larry Sullivan was happy to get back together for Pub Night. Last Tuesday was the first Pub Night since the pandemic began, 9 Rotarians were in attendance, and it was a great time!
Don Bonner is looking forward to his art show at the Avon library featuring 36 of his original pieces. Don will have a reception on September 8 to kick off the event!
Announcements
Sue Budde reported on the current status of the annual Golf Tournament. We are currently 6 sponsors short of where we were last year, and 11 sponsors short of the previous year. We are also 29 ads short and 15 tee signs short. This is mostly due to member attrition.
The committee is offering a new opportunity through shared sponsorships. The Canton Sponsorship calls for 15 Rotarians to contribute $100. This is designed for those who can’t get ads or don’t have a business to run an ad through. This sponsorship will recognize all who contribute. They are also seeking swag bag items.
Dinner is $50 per person. Sign up on the website. The Golf Tournament is less than a month away!
Colleen Grasso and Alicia Canning announced that we are doing a pencil box drive to benefit Bellizzi Middle School in Hartford on August 21 and 22.
Calendar
Monday, September 12 - 40th annual Charity Golf Tournament
Starting in August, the last meeting of every month will be held at FAVARH. These will be Club Days so that we can do a better job of getting to know each other and reestablish why we are Rotarians.
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Awards
None this week.
Community and International Service Grants
Gary Roman presented two $1250 checks helping kids get back to school in September.
Michael Olivieri accepted on behalf of Gifts of Love where the funds will be used to provide students with sneakers and other items to get back to school.
Rebecca Briggs and Tonoa Jackson accepted on behalf of the Town of Canton Senior and Social Services BackPack program. Funds will benefit the estimated 125-150 students who apply for support to purchase backpacks and supplies.
FOCUS Adult Support Services addressing the "Services Cliff"
Donna Swanson, Adam Cohen, Sharon Cable
FOCUS Center for Autism
Yvonne Gardner introduced Donna Swanson, Adam Cohen, and Sharon Cable from FOCUS Center for Autism. Donna Swanson, APRN, is the Executive Director and co-founder of FOCUS, Adam is the Program Director of the Supportive Housing Program, and Sharon is the Adult Support Services Coordinator. FOCUS Center for Autism is a Canton-based nonprofit founded in 2000 by Donna and her husband Fred Evans.
FOCUS provides a continuum of care to individuals with autism and their families and currently has a CT state-approved special education school Fresh Start School, panels and consultations, residential programs, and adult support services.
Avon Canton Rotary and FOCUS Center for Autism have enjoyed a long relationship together. Today, FOCUS discussed “The Services Cliff” and the goals the nonprofit has to meet the needs of our community.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that can cause significant behavioral, social, and communication challenges in individuals. While children with ASD receive support services through school, once the student graduates or reaches 22 years of age, these services cease for individuals with autism, resulting in a lack of services to support their lifelong needs as they enter adulthood. In 2020, The CDC estimated 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with ASD. Under the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), federal law requires children with ASD to be provided special education and related services, such as speech, occupational therapy, and transition services, until graduation or through age 21. However, once the student graduates or reaches 22 years of age, these services cease for individuals with autism and they lose all previous support as they enter adulthood. This is known as the “Services Cliff”.
It is estimated that somewhere between approximately 707,000 to 1,116,000 American youth with autism will enter adulthood over the next decade with limited or nonexistent support resulting in poor college and employment outcomes, social isolation, and poor health outcomes – poorer outcomes in comparison to peers of the same age with serious mental illness or intellectual disability.
FOCUS is addressing this crisis in any way they can. With programs for adults running solely on donations, the staff at FOCUS are getting creative!
Adam’s program serves adult residents with autism and they are currently collaborating with neighbors and local charities to help give meaning and structure to the lives of his residents. Current tasks include mowing neighbor’s lawns, yard work, and picking up supplies for Healing Meals. While these may be considered small tasks, the residents look forward to them and organizations benefit from the help. His program residents are accompanied by staff who find the right fit for each person and project.
Sharon Cable is working with adults in the community who are still living with their parents and are not employed or engaged with the community. Sharon hosts daily check ins with the adults, weekly groups and get togethers to address social and emotional needs and is looking for customized employment opportunities. Many of the adults in her program would be great at helping with tasks many find tedious but necessary such as shredding, filing, and similar office duties. Staff also accompanies the adults in the FOCUS Adult Support Services program.
The mission is to provide opportunities to create meaning in the lives of the adults FOCUS serves so they may realize their potential. If Rotarians can think of volunteer or paid positions, it can be as small as 1-2 hours a week and does not need any ongoing commitment, FOCUS can find an appropriate fit!
FOCUS can be contacted at 860-693-6127 or reach out to club members Yvonne Gardner and Lauren Gardner who also work at FOCUS with any ideas!
Special Announcements
None this week.
Mail Bag
None this week.
Photo Credits
Screen Shots by editor.
Technology Credits
Zoom platform management expertise by Mike Mezheritskiy.
Editor's Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as early as possible. Please note that some editions may be published and distributed as early as the Saturday following our meetings, and during those weeks further contributions to the Early Riser will be included in the subsequent week's edition.
“The FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do”:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
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