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Story Tools Print this story Purchase reprints Contact the editor Email Newsletters [Photos by KATHLEEN FLYNN l Times]During an August Warriors for Autism camp at Horsepower for Kids, Zane Zigler, 8, rides Snowy, led by volunteer Christina Cruz.').attr('border', '1').attr('width', image.width).attr('height', image.height).attr('src', image.url).attr('alt', image.caption).attr('title', image.altText).appendTo('#article-slideshow-1244817'); totalImagesAdded++; } }); if (totalImagesAdded >= 2) { $('#article-slideshow-1244817').cycle({ fx: 'fade', speed: 500, next: '#slideshow-next-1244817', prev: '#slideshow-prev-1244817', timeout: 0, after: ssOnAfter_1244817 }); $('#slideshow-nav-1244817').show(); } else { // one image, so just statically fill in the credit and caption var _i = $('#article-slideshow-1244817').find('img:first'); $('#slideshow-caption-1244817').html(_i.attr('alt')); if (_i.attr('title') != '') $('#slideshow-photog-1244817').html('[' + _i.attr('title') + ']'); } }); }); function ssOnAfter_1244817() { $('#article-slideshow-1244817').css('height', this.height); $('#slideshow-photog-1244817').html( (this.title !== undefined && this.title != '') ? '[' + this.title + ']' : '' ).fadeIn(); $('#slideshow-caption-1244817').html(this.alt).fadeIn(); }
TOWN 'N COUNTRY
When Deena and Olando Rivera found out their son, Anthony, was autistic, they experienced the stress and grief that many parents in their position face.
But more than 10 years after their son's diagnosis, the couple has learned enough about dealing with the disorder to form a nonprofit organization to help support the local autism community.
"We had this lightbulb moment when we realized that after all the fundraising we did for other organizations, we still don't have the services that we needed for our family or the other families that were in the community," said Deena Rivera, founder and chief executive of Warriors for Autism. "We decided, 'well let's try to do this ourselves.' We know what we need better than anybody. We know from our friends what they need so let's give it a shot."
Warriors for Autism provides life-enhancing services for families. It provides a wide range of activities for autistic children and helps those in the autistic community integrate into society through group meetings, education, job placement, fundraising and community events.
The need for local autism support is great, said Kelley Prince, founder and president of Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay, pointing out that the area has the sixth-highest number of cases of autism in the nation.
"I feel that, several years ago, the general public was not very educated on autism as a disorder," Prince said. "Although there is more awareness today, it is still a foreign idea to many."
All that the Riveras knew about autism at the time Anthony was diagnosed in 2001 was from the Academy Award-winning movie, Rain Man.
"When you think about it, Rain Man was pretty high functioning," Rivera said of the movie's autistic main character, played by Dustin Hoffman. "He could speak, he could dress himself. He was somewhat self-sufficient . . . People would wish that their child was as highly functional as a Rain Man."
Anthony, now 13, also is high functioning. But autism symptoms and severity can vary from person to person, affecting their ability to interact and communicate with others.
The Riveras said they formed Warriors for Autism as a way to provide families the services and knowledge to help them cope, which is something that didn't come to them right away.
"The big organizations like Autism Speaks were among the first ones assembling meetings, so that's what we were drawn to," Deena Rivera said. "But it's always that reminder of how lonely and devastating it was back then that draws us to help other people."
During the summer, the group has hosted weekly camps for autistic children at a local farm called Horse Power for Kids. The camps educate children about exotic animals and allows them to interact. They enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, field trips and horseback riding.
Tammy Matson, of Clearwater, said the camp has given her son, Ryan, an opportunity to play with animals, which isn't something he would normally be able to do.
"Plus, the group of kids are kids who are like him," she said.
Matson said her son has attended camps that aren't specifically for children with autism, and he would sometimes get left out "because he may act a little different and might do things a little different than the rest of the kids."
Susan Gettys, the director of education at Warriors for Autism, attests to the attention to detail autistic children need.
"It's a matter of knowing children, each individual child," Gettys said. "Deena says if you met one autistic child, you only met one autistic child."
Warriors for Autism operates on private donations and fundraisers. Donations from the New York Yankees Foundation have helped with the annual summer camps, and the couple also uses Olando Rivera's connections as a five-time world kickboxing champion to get contributions from area martial arts businesses.
"We've gone in for 10 years with autism and it's been a ride through trial and error in a lot of what we've done," Olando Rivera said. "But all we do is out of the kindness of our heart, because we want nothing but the best for our children."
On the Web
For more information, go to warriorsforautism.org
On the Web
For more information on the program,
go to warriorsforautism.org.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Tampa's Warriors for Autism seeks to help parents of autistic children in the bay area, as Warriors for Autism does so nationally - Tampa Bay Times
AFB Charter Member Deena Rivera of Warriors for Autism Hosts Costume Ball Benefit October 26, 2012
Adventures In Puzzleland Adult
Costume Ball Benefit!!
Friday, October 26th, 2012
SUPER SALE!!!
For The Month Of September Only
Save $20 on one admission
or Save $25 on admission for two!!September Super Sale Prices $30 single or $55 couple!!
(All tickets include Hot Appetizers & Open Bar with admission)
^ed
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Important Message about Nashville Community Organizers, TNDP and OFA
May 12, 2010 at 10:09 AM
What an it interesting twist of fate.
So the Queen steps without naming an heir, and takes they whole"community" with her. What an brilliant demonstration of leadership gone bad. So that's two. It was my understanding that the core concept of #OFA was that
community organizers rely on grass roots and heart of the community. The turf wars at TNDP and NCO served only one purpose, the political
agenda was more like a pulpit for shameless self-promotion. As a
result Tennessee has continues to move further way from the core
principles of progressive voters across the state. Personal agendas took priority over policy initiatives and we are
certainly no closer to being anywhere near the place we need to be.
I no longer affiliate with the TN Democratic party despite my long
standing record of being an active member of many local, national and
International organizations promoting human rights and justice for
all. As a result I no longer volunteer or align myself with any "political" party. I watched from afar as the TNDP and NCO claimed OWNERSHIP of other
community agencies. Including Nashville for All of Us. To alienate so many so quickly, it tells me that my instincts were
right on target. I received multiple emails and action alerts all claiming to Speak for of OFA. Upon further inspection, it became clear that this was one individual
was pushing a personal agenda. To be an effective community organizer
on must keep the emphasis on "community" rather than "leadership" I think is certainly a step in the right direction. Maybe there still
is a Nashville for All of Us. Truly disgraceful demonstration of poor leadership, dedication and character. Elyssa Durant
Nashville, TN
http://bit.ly/blbFec ---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Meetup
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 07:11:28 -0400
Subject: Important Message about Nashville Community Organizers
To: ed70@columbia.edu Members of Nashville Community Organizers, Your Organizer, Kathy, just stepped down without nominating a replacement. Without an Organizer, Nashville Community Organizers will shut down on
May 27, 2010. Step up to become this Meetup Group's Organizer and you can guide its
future direction, schedule Meetups, change its site's colors —
you can make it whatever you and your members want! Other members can help you. Ask them for ideas or even nominate a few
to help as Assistant Organizers. Want to learn more about what Organizing a Meetup Group is like? Check
out Meetup's Organizer Center: http://orc.meetup.com/ KEEP YOUR GROUP GOING:
http://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Community-Organizers-formerly-NLBO/handover/?...
got questions? we're here to help! Call us at 1-877-633-8870
#supporthours() or send us an email at support@meetup.com Viva la community!
The Team at Meetup HQ
An Open Letter to the TNDP
June 24, 2009
Dear Mr Forrester:I have a HUGE problem with the "Chip in for Chip Campaign" I feel this is a grievous misrepresentation of the TNDP and the incestuous affiliation it appears to have with the NCO.
What an awful way to start you tenure and try to gain support from local, vocal advocates and activists like myself. http://www.actblue.com/page/chipin
Unfortunately, duty calls, and I don't have the time to fully express just how disturbed I was by how betrayed I feel by the TNDP that caused me to question the ethics of my own party. a breach of ethics within the Democratic party.
But rest assured I will return to this topic with further details, and a copy of a letter I received from one of of your staff members the day after we discussed the possibility of summoning volunteers from the health care lobby to get your new office up and running.
Although you did invite me both verbally and through e-mail, I was told by one of your staffers that I was not welcome since I "Chip doesn't even know you, AND because I did not even volunteer at the Obama Headquarters."
Sorry-- I was hitting the streets with Health Care for America Now [HCAN] and manning the phones for Cover the Uninsured.
This campaign was misrepresented to me as a non-profit supporting the community through and by local activists and advocates right here in Nashville.
The website revisions validate that transformation from as the NCO slowly morphed into the TNDP.
This kind of and followed up with one of the most disgusting displays of all the things ugly we hate about politics.
NCO is NOT act blue. As a former lobbyist, I am deeply offended by the ethics and misrepresentation of the TNDP. Especially after being told I am not a welcome volunteer at YOUR office.
Bad business, Chip.
It is unfortunate that you have surrounded yourself with people who are working against you to further their own political agenda hoping they may someday replace you.
It was interesting to watch how quickly the dispersed when the "Chips were down."
As a life-long democrat who missed only one election since I turned 18, I truly hope your staff (especially the "NCO" can recognize how seriously they are jeopardizing and alienating members of the Democratic party.
Unfortunately, I can't donate money, but I would have more than happy to volunteer time. Therefore, I am formally requesting a refund of the $5.44 I donated online.
I shared the letter with a friend in the Republican Party because it was so offensive and shocking. I think you deserve a copy as well. I will try to get that o you in the near future.
Please note, it is not personal against you, but In the meantime, I would like to formally request a refund of $5.44. You can make it payable to charity of MY choice, however since I am unemployed and on disability, I wouldn't object if you made the check out to "cash."
Sincerely yours,
Elyssa Durant, Ed.M.
Nashville, Tennessee
Because THIS is how the Tennessee Democratic Party treats volunteers in "The Volunteer State"
So, no. Don't ask me to "chip in for Chip Forrester" or donate money to any of the people associated with this organization.
To quote Kathy, "it's just not happening." ELyssa Durant, Ed.M.
TN05, House 52
אל
> > ------Original Message------
> From: kathy@communityorganizers.net
> To: Ed70@columbia.edu
> Subject: TNDP
> Sent: Feb 8, 2009 7:27 AM
> > Hey Elyssa,
> > Just wanted to let you know that the TNDP Transition Team already has formed, met, and is working. I know you're interested in being on it, but it's just not happening this time. You're not on it. Chip doesn't know you, hasn't worked with you, and hasn't even met you, Elyssa. You've got a good heart with great intentions, but you're just being too aggressive right now and it's having an opposite effect than what you want. No one knows you here -you weren't on the Obama staff or volunteer staff here, or even a volunteer at HQ, and haven't done anything with NCO. Give it time.
> > I know you'll appreciate the direct approach. No worries!
> > Kathy
> > > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile