Celebrate Jonah and AuSM Open House Aug. 10

Before he leaves for sunny California, the AuSM staff and Board of Directors would like to celebrate Jonah Weinberg by inviting our AuSM community to an OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, Aug. 10 from 5-7 p.m. In addition to wishing Jonah well, we invite you to tour our new AuSM Counseling and Consulting Services space as well as the recently renovated AuSM office. We will provide food and beverages, smiles and tours. Please plan to join us! AuSM, 2380 Wycliff St. #102, St. Paul, MN 55114. Cost: FREE. Click here to RSVP for the AuSM Open House and Farewell to Jonah.

A farewell note from Jonah Weinberg, AuSM's ED

This note is my final message to you before I step down as AuSM's Executive Director. My departure at the end of July is bittersweet. I have loved working for AuSM and the Minnesota autism community during my four years in this position, but my husband and I are returning home to California to be closer to family. While this was always a longer-term goal of ours, a situation arose that caused us to move our plan forward, so now it is time for me to bid you farewell.

My time at AuSM has been extremely rewarding and educational. Although I began my career as a teacher, and then moved on to work in social services, autism was a new area for me. At AuSM, I have been fortunate to work with a dedicated and knowledgeable team of individuals on the spectrum, parents, family members of people with ASD, and other professionals who have worked in autism programs for many years; their insights and guidance helped me better understand the breadth and depth of the spectrum. And while I would never claim to be an autism "expert", I met many experts among the AuSM staff and our members, many of whom I've turned to for guidance over the years.

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AuSM offers new book clubs in Dakota and Ramsey Counties

AuSM is pleased to partner with the Ramsey County Library in Shoreview and the Dakota County Library in Eagan to offer six session AuSM Book Clubs for individuals with autism, other disabilities, and neurotypical individuals ages 14-35 who live in Dakota and Ramsey Counties. The AuSM Book Clubs are made possible in part by the Dakota and Ramsey Counties Autism Grant. Share the joy of reading with others by joining this book club. During the first meetings of the groups, the groups will develop the guidelines and choose the first book. The cost to participate is free, but registration is required. Click on the following links for more info and to register.

AuSM Book Club at the Ramsey County Library in Shoreview (begins July 29 from 2-3 p.m.)
AuSM Book Club at the Dakota County Library in Eagan (begins Aug. 24 from 6-7 p.m.)

Attend Autism Awareness Week at Valleyfair and support AuSM

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the parent company of Minnesota's Valleyfair, is teaming up with the Autism Society of America (ASA) to offer an Autism Awareness Week at Valleyfair from July 24-30, 2017. During this special week at the amusement park, Valleyfair will offer sensory friendly shows; a special handout with accommodations and information (available at Guest Services); “Kid Track” available to help plan your day at the park; First Aid can store medications (refrigerator if needed); designated quiet areas; list of locations for gluten free options; list of locations that have strobe lighting during performances; and more. Donation jars will be located throughout the park, and donations in the jars will be given directly to ASA (not AuSM). If you would like to donate directly AuSM and benefit local families, click here.

$2 for every ticket purchased for use during the 2017 season of Valleyfair through ASA's link will be donated to the Autism Society of Minnesota, your local ASA affiliate. Tickets may be used during the Autism Awareness Week or at any other time through October 2017. Cost: $36 per ticket; tickets are good through the end of October 2017. Click here to order your tickets. Scroll to the Valleyfair ticket link. Only tickets purchased through this link will include a $2 per ticket donation to AuSM.

AuSM extends discounted registration for AuSM Golf Classic

Due to the early discount registration deadline falling so close to Independence Day, AuSM is extending the lower rate for AuSM Golf Classic 2017 registration. Take advantage of this deadline extension and save $100 on your foursome registration for the 22nd Annual AuSM Golf Classic at Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wis. on Monday, Aug. 7, 2017. Plan now to have fun hitting the links in support of AuSM's mission of enhancing the lives of individuals touched by autism in Minnesota! Click here to register at the best rate!