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Kaleidoscope Support Groups
Parent/Caregiver Support Groups
Tuesday, April 12 6:30-8:30pm
940 E. Haverford Road, Suite 102
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
We are so honored to host Susan Paul, licensed
speech and language pathologist, also renowned
for her exceptional work with autism. Susan will
present on conversation skills with methods to
break though barriers that get in the way of
successful communications. This is a FREE
family support group for the Philadelphia and
surrounding suburban community. There will be a
simultaneous peer social skills group for adults
with autism, intellectual or developmental
disabilities. Refreshments will be served.
Peer Support Groups in Bryn Mawr
Every Tuesday in April!
940 E. Haverford Road, Lower Level
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
4/5
12:30-2:30pm
Social Skills –
Being Heard and Understood
4/12
12:30-2:30pm
Career Readiness I Finding the Real Me early group
4/12
6:30-8:30pm
Career Readiness II Finding the Real Me evening group
4/19
12:30-2:30pm
Cooking –
A Spring Dessert Can be Healthy!
(Gluten free option available)
4/26
12:30pm-2:30pm Social Skills –
Identifying Feelings with a Disney’s
“Inside Out” Theme
Bring your bagged lunch to the daytime groups.
Refreshments will be served at all times.
Message from our Executive Director, Dr. TaraColleen Macatee
Do you ever feel like time is flying and you are missing the ride? As I
write this, I find myself wondering where the winter went, how did it get
to be spring already; am I really planning summer events? If you relate
to this feeling of “where did the time go,” take a breath and join me in a
mission to slow down and enjoy the ride. Stop during the day to make a
short gratitude list. Maybe call an old friend that you haven’t spoken to
in a while and subsequently endorse yourself for making the moment
count. With April being Autism Awareness Month, I plan to focus on
giving back to others. How can our Kaleidoscope team support the
autism community with purpose and intention? One way is to offer more
social groups, community support forums and open communication
vehicles for growth and development in every facet of life for those we
serve. It can’t just be independent living, but has to encompass a
fulfilled employment aspect, albeit working in a job that brings joy, or
volunteering in a venue that adds a sense of contentment. Even
education can be an option for growth. As a service provider, we can
encourage our consumers to take classes or explore unique learning
opportunities. Bring on the creativity; make every moment count.
Happy spring!
We happily caught Amy
texting the below message to
her mom during our cooking
peer support group!
Here are just a few of the things KFS is doing
to “Light it up Blue!”
Light it up Blue Contest on 4/2 for Autism
Awareness Day – and all month long for
pictures and success stories
4/16 Autism Speaks Walk in Allentown
4/19 Philadelphia Phillies Autism Awareness
Night
4/23 15th Annual Walk for Autism in WPA
Check our Facebook page throughout the
month for more opportunities to get involved!
The crew from Bryn Mawr social group’s Karaoke
Night. We have to admit that singing and laughing
could be heard (loudly) throughout the building.
Peer Support Groups in Allentown
Friday, April 15th 6:00-7:30pm
2200 Hamilton St., Suite 102
Allentown, PA 18104
Lunch bag seminar - Career Readiness – Explore
your interests and discover your strengths
Bryn Mawr: RSVP to Pam Frebowitz
pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org
C r e aAllentown:
t i n g RSVP
a C to
o Amanda
l o r f Sanabria
ul Difference
asanabria@kfamilysolutions.org
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Flashback from 2015!
How are you “Lighting it up Blue?” Help us celebrate Autism
Awareness Month throughout April by sending us success stories
and photos! Everyone who submits something for Autism
Awareness Month will be entered into a drawing for a 1 st, 2nd
and 3rd place prize. Special prizes on April 2nd for Autism
Awareness Day! Please email to
pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org
SPOTLIGHT
NEW! “First Friday” monthly events with our Lancaster social group …
loved our visit to the Science Factory and Four54Grill!
New Footwear for Individuals with Disabilities
We are always happy to share when a large, name-recognized
corporation expands its products for people with disabilities. Nike
recently announced that a new group of sneakers specially designed for
both kids and adults with disabilities is being added to their product
lines. Named FLYEASE for its first launch that includes a running
shoe without laces, Nike will customize three, distinct footwear options
for those with varying disabilities. How did Nike come up with this
innovative and long overdue idea? From a suggestion submitted by a
16 year old with cerebral palsy who was worried about attending
college independently. It is most probable that other shoe giants will
also follow suit in the very near future.
Autism Awareness Month
We’d like to introduce Thomas from Upper Dublin, PA.
Thomas was happy to share his full life with us despite his
challenges as an adult with autism. Here is his interview:
(I) Do you work or volunteer? (T) I have a job walking dogs in
the neighborhood. (I) What do you like the most about it?
(T) I love being outside and getting to be with the dogs at the
same time. (I) How do you feel that it makes your life better?
(T) I enjoy the exercise and getting paid too. (I) Do you live
with your family? (T) Yes, I live with my mom and dad and my
younger sister. My older sister is married and lives in New
Orleans. (I) What are your favorite things to do at home and in
the community?
(T) I like to go with
my Kaleidoscope staff to the
gym, library and community
parks. I even like the ZOO
and the movies to see DC
(Detective Comics) of course!
I am more of a fan of the
Dark Night Trilogy, but will
think about seeing Batman
vs Superman. My favorite game
is called Skylanders. I forgot to mention that James Bond 007
are the best movies; however, my absolute favorite movie is
called The Nightmare Before Christmas.
It’s Our Spring Lehigh Valley Picnic …
just in time to celebrate Earth Day!
*Food*Fun*Friendship*Games*
Kaleidoscope Earth Day Picnic
Cedar Beach Park Pavilion
2600 Parkway Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18104
Friday, April 22nd
1:00pm-3:00pm
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/03/16/nike-expands-shoe-lineup/22048/
Creating a Colorful Difference
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SAVE THE DATE: April 10, 2016
Autism Awareness Day at the
Philadelphia ZOO sponsored by the
Greater Philadelphia Autism Society
Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA)
April 8-23, 2016
A large-scale fire-and-sand performance, a circus built on a
foundation of yarn, a traveling symphony performed in water
fountains and a sprawling street fair on Broad Street can only
mean one thing: the return of Philadelphia International Festival of
the Arts (PIFA). With 60 performances, PIFA weaves together a
variety of art forms and genres by local and international artists in
an arts extravaganza. Free and ticketed events …
Read more: http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/thebiggest-spring-events-and-festivals-coming-to-philadelphia/#april
Follow us: http://facebook.com/visitphilly
http://twitter.com/visitphilly
Mini Course Lecture Series:
Fierce Love and Parental Activism
Moderator: Ronnie Polaneczky, Philadelphia Daily News
April 6, 2016 – Wednesday
Registration recommended.
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (registration and coffee begin at 8:30 AM)
Location: Temple University, Student Center Room 200 A/B
1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
AUDIENCE: This free event is open to the public.
https://sites.temple.edu/iodforms/fierce-love-and-parental-activism/
Pittsburgh Earth Day
From: April 21, 2016 - April 24, 2016 (Recurring daily)
Locations: Market Square, Mellon Square,
Carrie Furnace and
Pittsburgh Convention Center
A City-Wide Celebration
Admission: Various
412-303-6456
Sensory Friendly Films
Get up, dance, walk, shout, or sing!
We know how to
throw a “party” in
Pittsburgh!
The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down, and
guests may walk around, dance or sing during the film.
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
AMC Clifton Commons 16
AMC Loews Waterfront 22
AMC Freehold 14
AMC Marple 10
AMC Hamilton 24
AMC Neshaminy 24
AMC Loews Brick Plaza 10
AMC Philadelphia Mills
AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24 14
AMC Loews Jersey Gardens 20
AMC Loews New Brunswick 18
AMC Loews Wayne 14
AMC Mountainside 10
AMC Rockaway 16
Batman vs. Superman: 4/9 10am and 4/12 7pm
The Jungle Book: 4/23 10am
The Huntsman Winter's War: 4/26 7pm
Captain America Civil War: 5/10 7pm & 5/14 10am
Neighbors 2: 5/24 7pm
Alice Through the Looking Glass: 5/28 10am
Copy the link below to sign up and join the Kaleidoscope
Team http://www.naminj.org/events/walk/
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SPOTLIGHT
Autism Awareness Month
Meet Michael from The Somerton area of Philadelphia. Mike has
many talents and interests. For one, he is a master bowler and can
bowl over 500 a game without faltering. Mike is also a great video
game player, and loves the music group GWAR. Chick-Fil-A is his
favorite restaurant. Because Mike loves helping those in need; he
volunteers at Philabundance a few days a week where he helps
package for, and serve food to the homeless.
Fruit Flower Pot Snacks
Ingredients:
Strawberries
Black Grapes
Pineapple
1 Green Grape
Green Picks
Directions:
-Start out by cutting off the top of a strawberry down the to
middle
-Then cut off the bottom so it will stand up straight
-Cut the dark grapes in half & place in the strawberry to
look like dirt
-Cut out flower shapes using a cookie cutter from a slice of
pineapple
-Push the pineapple flower on a green pick (you can get
these in any grocery stores) & poke it down in the
strawberry
Hanging out at
WJTL 903
Radio station!
--Cut a green grape in half & then cut that half into another
half. Place the pieces on top to look like leaves
-Cut the tips off of the black grapes & press them on the
pineapple flower to look like sunflowers
What an honor!
Kerry received a
safety award from
his workplace.
Corporate Office
940 East Haverford Road, Suite 102
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Western PA
600 North Bell Avenue, Bldg. 2, Suite 240
Carnegie, PA 15106
Lehigh Valley
2200 Hamilton Street, Suite 102
Allentown, PA 18104
Like our page on Facebook! Don’t miss out on photos,
Congratulations Brian for
winning Special Olympics
Bowling!! Take note of his
super high score of 520!
event updates and community connections!
We are always making news!
www.facebook.com//kfscares.com
Join our team on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaleidoscope-familysolutions-inc-
Creating a Colorful Difference
New Jersey
One Woodbridge Center, Suite 512
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
P: 877-384-1729 F: 610-527-8672
www.kfamilysolutions.org
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