Grandparent Autism Network

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CSUF Honors GAN’s Founder & Executive Director Bonnie Gillman

Bonnie Gillman, Founder and Executive Director of the Grandparent Autism Network and the Family Autism Network program, will be honored on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at California State University-Fullerton’s Honor An Educator event. Bonnie initiated cost-free Socials for Adults with Autism and their Caregivers in 2014 with enthusiastic assistance from faculty members and students at CSUF. Those successful events enabled her to form a unique collaboration with CSUF, Chapman University and the University of California-Irvine. Faculty members and students from all 3 campuses assist at socials – and now students from 10 colleges and universities also participate.

Last October, CSUF hosted 350 guests at the annual Spooktacular Social. The socials enable students to learn about the challenges confronting individuals with autism and how autism impacts three generations in families. Students arrive at the Socials as volunteers – and they leave as autism advocates!

Please support CSUF and this event that honors Bonnie Gillman with the Distinguished Education Partner Award. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation that benefits the CSUF College of Education.

DISTINGUISHED HONOREES:

Dr. Ellen Junn
President, California State University, Stanislaus
Distinguished Education Leadership Award

Zoila Gallegos ’13
Assistant Principal, Brookhurst Junior High School
Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award

Tracy Siudzinski ’08
Manager, Learning & Development, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award

Westminster School District
Distinguished Education Excellence Award

Bonnie Gillman
Founder and Executive Director, Grandparent Autism Network and Family Autism Network Program
Distinguished Education Partner Award

Dan O. Black ’67
Trustee, Black Family Trust
Distinguished Education Community Partner Award

Honor an Educator is a special event paying tribute to community educators and partners who have made a difference in the lives of their students and communities.

You have the opportunity to recognize and honor an extraordinary teacher in your life! Honoring an educator is a meaningful way to applaud the work of educators who impact others every day.

Event proceeds support scholarships for future teachers in Cal State Fullerton’s College of Education.
MORE INFORMATION

Autism Service Dogs: Pathways to Hope

This program rescues dogs from the pound and assigns each dog to a prisoner who trains the dog with the assistance of professional trainers.

This nonprofit’s mission is to:
Provide loving, forever homes for our program dogs
Provide life and career skills for our program participants
Provide Service Dogs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

and for additional information, visit the Pathways to Hope website. 

Download a brochure here

Grandparent Autism Network and Project SEARCH

The Grandparent Autism Network (GAN) was instrumental in getting Project Search, an international job training program for people with disabilities, established at CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). GANs founder, Bonnie Gillman, and her late husband, Dr. Sherwin Gillman, supported a 5 year effort to initiate the program there. Tom Capizzi, the VP of HR, Dr. Nick Anas, the Medical Director of pediatric critical care and Dr. Maria Minon, Chief Medical Officer at CHOC were very supportive in establishing the program at CHOC. 

The program will begin in April 2016. Ten adults with developmental disabilities will receive job training with the goal of either gaining employment for the participants at the hospital, or elsewhere, utilizing their newly acquired skills.

The Project Search program at CHOC will bring hope to the many families that have children with developmental disabilities being treated at CHOC. and it is a new way for CHOC to increase resources and support for the families in Orange County it serves.

Project Search is an international program that was initiated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Its primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Learn more about this program which has grown to more than 300 sites world-wide by watching the video below. 

Project Search – Job Training for Individuals with Disabilities

The Regional Center of Orange County, will be partnering with Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Integrated Resources, Coastline Community College, University of California Irvine and Grandparent Autism Network to help young adults with disabilities learn skills for employment. The new Project Search program will offer workforce development including volunteer work, work experience, internships, and health care training at CHOC’s location.

Interns build communication and problem-solving skills as well as job specific skills through work rotations. Worksites are assigned on the interns interests and previous work experiences and assessments. Job coaches are assigned to each participant and fade out as intern gains independence. These interns are working to fulfill their goals of achieving competitive employment. Worksite positions/activities could include assembly, clerical, courier, sterilization, stocking, and environmental services.

Nationally, the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is approximately 64-95%, depending on the disability. Surveys around the country verify that the majority of these individuals want to work. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and on-the-job training and support is a proven model. One of our goals for our clients is competitive employment somewhere in the community using the skills they have acquired in work training. A second goal for adults with disabilities is to continue preparing for careers through post-secondary education at community colleges, universities, regional occupational programs and/or adult education programs.

Linda ONeal, former Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), Career Link Director, will serve as the project consultant through RCOC.

GOT TOO MUCH STUFF?

Are you, your family and friends

  • Downsizing
  • Remodeling
  • Cleaning closets
  • Tired of dusting collectibles

And do you have items, each valued at $25 or more, such as

  • clothing
  • accessories
  • unwanted gifts
  • vintage jewelry

Please consider donating the “stuff” to GAN for resale on our new eBay site, gan_charities. Your contributions will benefit other families affected by autism and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Download the eBay flyer to learn where you can drop off or send eBay donations.

eBayFlyer

GAN Becomes a National Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Grandparent Autism Network, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, extends cost-free membership to grandparents nation-wide

Tustin, California, March 27, 2012 – The Grandparent Autism Network announced today that grandparents residing outside of Orange County,California may now apply for membership online on the GAN website, www.ganinfo,org.  GAN was initially established in 2006 to serve members from the 34 cities that comprise Orange County, CA.

“GAN’s mission has changed from informing grandparents about autism,” stated Bonnie Gillman, Executive Director, “to promoting awareness and understanding of autism and enhancing the resources essential to community responsiveness.”GAN has sponsored events, programs and projects that can be replicated in other communities. Expanding outreach to grandparents will encourage the development of more support for families throughout the country.

A new e-Newsletter will be sent to all GAN members.  It will focus on universal grandparent issues and what grandparents can do to improve the quality of life for families affected by autism.

Contact Us

Grandparent Autism Network
360 E. First Street #202
Tustin, CA 92780-3211
Tel: 714.573.1500
E: info@ganinfo.org

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GAN
GAN is a registered 501(c)(3):
Tax ID# 20-5230144

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