- November 8, 2024
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Dozens of families with autistic children toured the 40 resource vendors at the second annual Autism Awareness Festival and Resource Fair presented by Vincent’s Clubhouse on Saturday, April 6, at Central Park in Town Center.
Others were there just to enjoy the fun on a sunny day.
The event, which is held during National Autism Acceptance Month, included a bounce house village, a sensory friendly kids zone, the Fun Coast Down Syndrome Association’s Down Right Dancers, food trucks, music, games and activities, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center and a Flagler County Fire Rescue engine.
“We have a lot of new vendors this year,” said Erica Flores, the president and founder of Vincent’s Clubhouse. “The Social Security Administration came from Daytona Beach and Sound Wave Music Therapy came from Jacksonville.”
Flagler Schools had information about its Exceptional Student Education and transition programs. Dr. Kimberli Halliday, the school district’s director of ESE, and her team answered questions and handed out pamphlets.
Dr. Halliday said the most popular question asked was, “My child was tested, what do I do next?”
Anthony Marchetta, who is blind and autistic, had a display of his Nitro’s Keychains. “I look at my disability as a different ability,” he said.
At the booth next door, Kelsie Hosler displayed her Kelsie’s Creations artwork.
The Bikers Against Child Abuse Daytona chapter — serving Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and southern St. Johns County — displayed a couple of motorcycles next to their booth. The organization is in 47 states and 18 countries.
Flores founded Vincent’s Clubhouse in 2017 to host summer camps for children with autism and other sensory disorders.
She came up with the idea for the non-profit after her own son, Vincent, was unable to attend summer camp with his cousins because it was not equipped to meet the needs of children with autism.
Since hosting its first camp, Vincent’s Clubhouse has expanded to offer inclusive social events, support groups and advocacy programs.
“Currently we are working to raise enough money so we can have our own building to allow us to serve even more children and young adults with special needs in our community,” Flores says on the organization's website, vincentsclubhouse.org.