EdVenture Children’s Museum to shine bright blue lights on building to raise autism awareness
March 30, 2016
The Museum Shows Support for Autism Speaks’ ‘Light it Up Blue’ Campaign
EdVenture Children’s Museum has partnered with Autism Speaks to celebrate World Autism Day and help raise global awareness by lighting up the museum with blue lights from April 2 until April 9. EdVenture is included in the 13,000 iconic landmarks, religious institutions, businesses and communities in more than 130 countries that join Autism Speaks’ ‘Light it Up Blue’ campaign.
“We are proud to partner with Autism Speaks and use our building as a visible symbol in their awareness efforts,” said Karen Coltrane, president and CEO of EdVenture. “And we are pleased to work with them to expand the museum’s services to families with children and young adults impacted by Autism.”
The partnership also includes a grant from Autism Speaks to support 12 weeks of EdVenture cooking classes for young adults transitioning out of autism services. The series will be divided into two sets of six-week classes starting May 14 until June 18 and again on Aug. 20 – Oct. 1.
Additionally, EdVenture will host sensory friendly Sundays starting April 3 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. for children with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing differences. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the museum in a safe and accepting environment and enjoy interactive activities before the museum opens.
Sensory Sundays will also provide an opportunity for parents to make connections with other families and receive special needs information.
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. This year, EdVenture is part of 13,000 other buildings that have already joined the ‘Light it Up Blue’ campaign in an effort to shine a light on autism for the 70 million people around the world who are affected by the disorder.
For more information please visit www.EdVenture.org.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.
About EdVenture
The mission of EdVenture is to inspire children to experience the joy of learning. EdVenture is a locally-managed, not-for-profit informal educational institution dedicated to lifelong learning through its 92,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor interactive exhibit space and in its educational outreach programs and after school programs. The museum has welcomed visitors from all 50 states and 18 foreign countries, creating shared experiences and memories for families learning together. For more information about EdVenture, visit www.edventure.org or call (803) 779-3100.
