Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. Through this funding, BCNC will continue its critical support to families with children with autism. This December, the Foundation also gave out gift cards to BCNC families for winter holiday support.

“This grant support addresses the needs of immigrant families who have children with autism by providing culturally appropriate programs in Chinese,” says Ben Hires, CEO of BCNC.

Thanks to the Foundation support from last year, from November 8 - December 6 , 2021, 8 families who have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participated in expressive arts therapy and parent education groups. During both 5-week in-person groups, children participated in drum circle, music and movement, sensory box playing, story-telling, and emotional exploration activities. Parent education was provided alongside the Expressive Arts group. A collaborative learning space was co-created by parents and Family Services staff to learn and discuss about the special education in schools; the use of mindfulness; emotional regulation skills; and sensory processing of and interventions for children with Autism. Parents and children joined together in the final session to integrate the acquired skills and practice interactive play and positive communication.

“The Flutie Foundation Signature Grants help our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community,” says Nick Savarese, Executive Director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Programs like these are helping people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts.”

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, based in Framingham, MA awards grants annual through a competitive application and review process. The signature grants that the Flutie Foundation distributed this year support traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Foundation’s areas of interest, providing a path for educational and vocational skills, supporting recreational and active lifestyles, and ensuring people with autism are safe, supported, and informed.