{"id":582,"date":"2025-05-22T12:34:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T12:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newwebsitecoming.com\/aotsf\/?p=582"},"modified":"2025-05-22T16:18:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T16:18:32","slug":"march-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newwebsitecoming.com\/aotsf\/march-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"March Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to our second newsletter of 2025.<\/p>\n

Dreams Come True Grants<\/strong><\/p>\n

In February, the Foundation opened applications for the first round of grants by sending an email to families who had registered interest through our website. This process was implemented years ago to ensure we reached families that understood our mission, and the life changing experience of a staff-assisted cruise.<\/p>\n

We failed to anticipate that the application link would be shared on social media and go viral. Over 4,700 applications arrived in the first 5 days \u2013 more than 3,000 from people who had never registered.<\/p>\n

Applications from families who had registered are being reviewed first. We appreciate their patience as we diligently work through nearly 1,600 heartfelt stories, the first step to prepare cases for our Board of Directors to approve. Some families will be contacted in the coming weeks for more information to allow informed decisions to be made. All applicants who were not registered previously will still be accepted in the next grant round.<\/p>\n

What is a staff-assisted cruise?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Foundation is partnered with\u00a0Autism on the Seas<\/strong>, a company that has been creating staff-assisted vacation experiences since 2007. Foundation Program Director Ian recently volunteered as an assistant on a recent cruise and saw firsthand the impact of the AOTS program on the families vacation.\u00a0Please note, none of these families received a grant from the Foundation, they funded\u00a0their own vacations directly.<\/em><\/p>\n

AOTS recruits skilled volunteers from all fields of child therapy and care who join the families on-board. Working closely with the cruise line they can make all aspects of the vacation accessible. The volunteers provide scheduled respite care,\u00a0support during various ship activities, excursions\u00a0and at mealtimes; truly they are superheroes.<\/p>\n

Ian saw kids with and without disabilities making friends and having a blast. Parents connected and were able to enjoy evenings \u201con the town\u201d, knowing their children were cared for. Pool time, beach days, visits from the ship\u2019s Chief Dog Officer, “Team Orange” worked tirelessly to make the families experience unforgettable.<\/p>\n

You can help give this gift to families in need!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please act now to help a family:<\/p>\n