Potential Holds Special Fundraiser for Children With Autism

Children with autism in our community need all of the love and support that is available to them and their families and this is why Potential’s upcoming Western-themed fundraiser is truly changing lives.

The community is being asked to come to support the ACE Awards Finalists and the guest of honor, Jim Worthington, the owner of the Newtown Athletic Club. He is being honored for his dedicated work to support ALS research and for helping launch Potential's Car Show for Autism.

The nonprofit Potential Inc., of Newtown, created and sponsored the first-time ACE Awards (Autism Caring Excellence), to encourage parents, caregivers and members of the community to nominate educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behaviorists, aides, and others whom they consider exceptional in the way they treat, care for, and help people with autism reach their milestones. One of the 6 finalists will receive the ACE Award.

The winner of the first ACE Awards will be announced at its upcoming Gala fundraiser, the Hoedown, Throwdown for Autism Treatment, on Saturday, March 23, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the New Hope Winery, 6123 Lower York Road, in New Hope, Pa.

If there was ever a time to break out your dancing boots and come out for a great time for a great cause, the Hoedown, Throwdown for Autism Treatment is it.

The fun-filled Western-themed fundraising event includes live music, lots of prizes, cocktails, dinner, an auction, line- dancing instruction, dancing, and a golden opportunity to celebrate the community's many "unsung heroes," during the ACE Awards presentation.

"We wanted to recognize, celebrate and honor those people in the trenches, who are treating children and adults with autism," explains Gadi Naaman, Director of Development for Potential and The Springtime School, a licensed private school that provides clinical and therapy services, located on Pheasant Run, in Newtown, and in the homes of its clients.

Kristine Quinby, Founder, President and CEO, founded Potential in 2006 and opened The Springtime School in 2010. She views the new ACE Awards as a vital part of Potential's mission.

To Quinby, the new ACE Awards are "super exciting" for Potential and the greater community. "We are launching this to celebrate those people who do exemplary work," she says, "and show others who are thinking about going into this field just how personally rewarding this is."

She knows that there is a shortage of people to work with children and adults with autism. "The more we can provide positive reinforcement to the highly-qualified people in this field, and hope they stay with it, the greater the benefit to all of our families and the community."

The Gala will shine a light on the need for more qualified caregivers, since there are 120 children on Potential's list, some who have been there for as long as two years. Each person hired will undergo training at the "ABA Bootcamp" an intensive four-week course in ABA therapy and autism treatment.

The plan is to build a workforce of competent and qualified therapists. "We want to get the funding to end the wait," says Quinby, "and provide the services that meet our vision, our mission and our clients' needs. This in turn, will end the wait list for services."

Potential gives "a heartfelt thank you" to everyone who took the time to nominate excellent professionals and other caring individuals who do incredible work to help individuals with autism catch up to their peers in school, work and life. "It was very difficult to pick 6 finalists among the worthy nominations we received. They all deserve much gratitude and recognition."

After a difficult debate, the following are the ACE Award Finalists for 2019 and one of them will be recognized as ACE Award winner at the Hoedown, Throwdown gala. They are listed in alphabetic order:

• Angel Austin: For never questioning her grandson's ability to overcome his autism symptoms and altering her life's plan to take care of him. Nominated by Annie Austin.
• Kathy Murphy: For her dedication and seeing past the 'behavior kid' stereotype. Nominated by Laura Smith.
• Cindy Murphy: For exceptional care and years of committed service to the autism community. Nominated by Melanie Knott.
• Soh Park: For being detail oriented with her client's academic, behavior and medical issues, keeping him safe and healthy. Nominated by Melissa Sayegh.
• Katherine Pugliese: For being passionate about her client's success as if it was her own. Nominated by Paddy Burrows.
• Jophany (Joe) Raphael: For being quietly patient, calm, and in control of the situation. Nominated by Brandi Dringus.

For tickets to Potential’s Hoedown, Throwdown for Autism Treatment, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/2019hoedown

For information about Potential/Springtime School, please click Here, or call 215-579-0670