The Mall at Marathon and Junior Achievement Bahamas present a bucket of coins collected in the mall’s fountain to REACH in aid of their Penny Drive. REACH’s 12-week Penny Drive will continue through July 2 to raise funds for a therapy room and after-care program at the organization’s new location on Village Road. Combined with other fundraising efforts, REACH hopes to raise $50,000 to assist with both initiatives. Pictured left to right: Tammy Lecky, Programme Manager, Junior Achievement Bahamas; Carla Fitzgerald, Marketing Coordinator, Mall at Marathon; Tyrina Neely, Board Member, REACH Bahamas.

REACH, a non-profit promoting awareness of autism and providing resources to parents and their children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), announces its Penny Drive to raise funds for a therapy room and after-care program at the organization’s new location on Village Road.

Combined with other fundraising efforts, REACH hopes to raise $50,000 to assist with both initiatives.

The 12-week campaign, launched on April 2, internationally recognized as World Autism Day, will continue through July 2. REACH has partnered with 52 organizations throughout New Providence, including retail stores, schools and banks who have agreed to place containers at their locations for the public to donate funds for these initiatives

A functioning therapy room and on-staff therapist will provide children with ASD access to much needed speech and occupational therapy on a consistent basis, at no cost.

“When children are diagnosed, early intervention is essential to assist them in reaching their full potential,” stated Kim Gibson, VP of R.E.A.C.H. and the mother of a son with ASD. “Unfortunately, there are few therapy options here and those that are available are out of the financial reach of many parents. It is our dream to make therapy available to all children diagnosed with autism in The Bahamas regardless of their financial position, thus giving all children on the spectrum the same opportunity to success."

A customer participates in the REACH Penny Drive, leaving a donation in the REACH bottle at Tristar Insurance Brokers & Agents Ltd. REACH has partnered with 52 organizations throughout New Providence to raise funds for a therapy room and after-care program at the organization’s new location on Village Road.

Funds from the Penny Drive will also help to provide an after-care program at the REACH Skills Centre. The program will provide a much needed respite for parents caring for children with ASD and teach children with ASD key social and academic skills.

REACH has been active for 17 years and remains dedicated to creating programs that help those with ASD improve their ability to communicate and function in today's society. But more than that, the non-profit is also working to change the way society perceives, interacts with and supports those with ASD.

For more information on REACH or to donate to the organization, call 328-4123 or 698-7744.

REACH can be found on Facebook at R.E.A.C.H. or contacted via email at reachautismbahamas@yahoo.com.