Welcome to the website for the Hamilton Chapter of Autism Ontario. Our chapter is committed to developing programming for children and adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as for their families. Our chapter relies mostly on funds raised locally.
If you or someone you know would like to donate or hold a fundraiser for the Hamilton Chapter of Autism Ontario, please contact our office at the number below.
We are pleased to announce that we will be opening an office in late September in Dundas. Our new address will be:
30 King Street East, Dundas, ON L9H 5G6
Telephone and Fax: 905-628-1129
e-mail: hamilton@autismontario.com
WHAT’S ON FOR THIS YEAR:
Parent Support Group – Parents meet once a month to network and support one another. The meetings are held at Chedoke Presbyterian Church (Mohawk Road at Magnolia) from September to June.
Next 3 meeting dates for 2008:
Tuesday, September 16th
Tuesday, October 21st
Tuesday, November 18th
Sibling Support Group – NEW*** Siblings of children and adults with autism are invited to join our new group. The meetings will be held at the same time and place as the Parent Support Group in a separate room. Social Worker, Rebecca Lester will be running this group for siblings ages 8-16. Register your child for this group by e-mailing: hamilton@autismontario.com
Fun Days – The ‘Fun in the Dirt’ program run in June by Beverley Bronte-Tinkew was so popular that we will be scheduling 3 more fun days with equal amounts of fun. Click on 'Upcoming Events' for details soon.
Winner's Circle Camp – Ed Mahoney, a Resource Teacher for the Hamilton Catholic District School Board, runs our outdoor summer camp program for 3 weeks in the summer. This camp accommodates 8 children per week with high needs.
We also run a one week Speech Camp at the end of August. Speech Pathologist, Beverley Bronte-Tinkew runs the camp out of her Building Blocks Speech Pathology Facility.
Hamilton Christmas Party – Last year’s party was a huge success. Stay tuned for details of this year’s party.
REEACH Awards - a special evening honouring outstanding Educational Assistants who work with children who have autism. Please click on "REEACH Awards" on the side bar for a list of award recipients. This will now be a bi-annual event (every 2 years). The next REEACH Awards will be held in 2010.
Annual Fundraisers
Golf Tournament - a very successful fundraiser with proceeds going to upcoming events, including our Winner's Circle Summer Camp. The fabulous Griffiths – Wayne and Gabe – make this event possible and work year round putting it together. For the past 2 years, Scotiabank has matched the funds raised by the golf tournament, making this our most successful fundraising event. We love Wayne and Gabe Griffiths and we love Scotiabank.
Rock 'n Ray Michaels of Oldies 1150 has held several fundraisers for us in the past few years, including: Dream Cruise 5 (2007) and 6 (2008), two incredible classic car events held at Bayfront Park; and a winter Beach Party early in 2008, with all proceeds going to Autism Ontario-Hamilton. A big thank you to Ray and all the folks who made these events so successful. We love Ray!
Kayak Event - Ed Mahoney and friends kayak 16 kilometres from Bronte Harbour to Van Wagner's Beach to raise money for the Winner's Circle summer camp. Ed is another one of our heroes.