About The Mansion Ride Cause
About The Cause
Autism is the 3rd most common developmental disorder. It's more prevalent than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis or childhood cancer, yet receives less than 5% of the funding. For a child with autism, each moment they are not taught, is a moment of opportunity for autism’s hold to tighten.
According to the Autism Coalition in 2002, autism affects 1 in 250 births. In late 2004 the CDC reported that autism affects 1 in every 166 births. Today it is said to affect 1 in every 150 births and 1 in every 94 boys. Most children with autism are placed in institutions or group homes before reaching the age of 13. Ascent’s program is about long term benefits through small steps. Piece by piece, Ascent’s highly trained staff, works with each child individually. For many of Ascent’s children, some of these steps include learning to eat more than one type of food, or gaining independence in a bathroom. It can mean learning to go to bed at night, wake up in the morning, prepare a meal, or even recognizing their Mother and learning how to speak… if only to say “Mom”. Ascent helps children with autism to communicate hunger, pain and love, to learn job skills and to lead the most independent lives possible, keeping them out of institutions. Three quarters of the approximately 400,000 Americans who have autism spectrum disorders spend their lives in institutions or group homes at a direct cost of $13.3 billion per year. Ascent School is a recognized leader in avoiding this devastating circumstance, keeping families together, and assisting children with autism to reach their full potential.
The Ascent School for Children with Autism is a not-for-profit (501c3), full-day, 12 month and center-based education program for pre-school and school age children with autism. At Ascent, children are empowered to battle autism using the intensive intervention and the only research validated approach to the treatment of autism, known as Applied Behavior Analysis.
Ascent was made possible by the dream of eight founding families, who six years ago, suffered the same consequence of limited educational programs for their autistic children. Individually, these families were frustrated and helpless. Together, their common impetus transformed to motivation before fully blossoming into Ascent School.
While Ascent is partly state funded, 40% of Ascent’s annual budget (nearly $1,000,000) must be raised privately. The original founding parents, new parent members, and volunteers continue to meet additional funding requirements through various events and much hard work. In 2001, Ascent’s fund raising goal more than doubled when Ascent was informed that it would lose its lease. Networking and reputation found Ascent a new lease space in Deer Park, Long Island, and Ascent assumed responsible for building a school within the 11,000 sq. ft. empty space … the capital building cost of which was estimated at over $950,000.
With little time and less money, Ascent forged a rally of material contributions and voluntary laborers, offsetting the cost by hundreds of thousands. Local union workers volunteered weekends, building Ascent since May, and progressing at an unprecedented rate. New fundraising events (including the first ever Mansion Ride cycling Event), were executed to help afford the new challenge. Volunteers gained the attention of suppliers like Ikea, Armstrong and Home Depot, who made tremendous building material contributions. Politicians from all parties also joined to help Ascent, once a dream, now renowned. The culmination of Ascent’s rally has made a tremendous spirited impact on our school and community, serving as a platform to increase autism awareness and for all to increase their voluntary capacity and experience the profound difference that Ascent has made in the lives of so many.
On September 9, 2002, Ascent School, opened the doors of its new State of the Art facility, designed specifically to meet the needs of the autism community…with far less debt than anticipated. While much has been accomplished, the goal recently met only grants Ascent the right to continue the battle.
While Ascent’s enrollment catchment’s area is Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, Ascent’s Education Program is far reaching and provides broad curriculum writing and teaching tools for educators of the future, enhancing the lives of the entire Autism population. Ascent (named as a model program) plays an integral role in teaching for New York State’s only Masters in Autism Education program—(one of only four in the nation). Ascent invests in the professional development of our educational system. Ascent's program is currently being applied in; teaching university level courses; providing internships for graduate and doctoral level students; creating model classrooms; training school district personnel; and writing textbooks and curriculum for the New York State Education Department. Ascent has been recognized by The New York Times, Newsday, 1010 Wins Radio, WABC Long Island Viewpoints, WB11 Unsung Heroes, The New York Post, and several local news providers.
As a testimonial to Ascent's excellence, in this school year (2004/2005) Ascent was chosen as the first private school program and invited to begin a new District Autism ABA Program within the Massapequa school district. Ascent's program is being replicated and the program is training local teachers to manage the needs of children with autism within their district.
In 2005, Ascent's Executive Director Dr. Nancy Shamow was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her contribution to the field of Autism. In 2006, Ascent's Board President was inducted into the Volunteer Hall of Fame for his volunteer service to Ascent and other charities.
How The Mansion Ride Began...
The Mansion Ride was conceived in a cab riding to the airport.
Once upon a time, A cab driver asked his passenger for a donation. He was riding for AIDS. He proceeded to tell the passenger that he'd already raised $13,000. At the time the passenger was helping a struggling school, volunteering her time to help the cause by creating a video that would raise awareness for children battling autism. The passenger handed him a heartfelt donation, and told him about the cause that kept her up at night wondering how she can improve their circumstance. She asked "Who do you know with AIDS?" The driver responded "No one. I just like to ride my bike." The Ascent program gives children with autism a chance, and their families hope.
6 months after their first meeting the passenger called the driver along with 10 of her friends she knew were avid cyclists and with lots of hard work the Mansion Ride was born.
Special Thanks to Jeffrey Bernstein and Frank Gangone!
Autism is the 3rd most common developmental disorder. It's more prevalent than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis or childhood cancer, yet receives less than 5% of the funding. For a child with autism, each moment they are not taught, is a moment of opportunity for autism’s hold to tighten.
According to the Autism Coalition in 2002, autism affects 1 in 250 births. In late 2004 the CDC reported that autism affects 1 in every 166 births. Today it is said to affect 1 in every 150 births and 1 in every 94 boys. Most children with autism are placed in institutions or group homes before reaching the age of 13. Ascent’s program is about long term benefits through small steps. Piece by piece, Ascent’s highly trained staff, works with each child individually. For many of Ascent’s children, some of these steps include learning to eat more than one type of food, or gaining independence in a bathroom. It can mean learning to go to bed at night, wake up in the morning, prepare a meal, or even recognizing their Mother and learning how to speak… if only to say “Mom”. Ascent helps children with autism to communicate hunger, pain and love, to learn job skills and to lead the most independent lives possible, keeping them out of institutions. Three quarters of the approximately 400,000 Americans who have autism spectrum disorders spend their lives in institutions or group homes at a direct cost of $13.3 billion per year. Ascent School is a recognized leader in avoiding this devastating circumstance, keeping families together, and assisting children with autism to reach their full potential.
The Ascent School for Children with Autism is a not-for-profit (501c3), full-day, 12 month and center-based education program for pre-school and school age children with autism. At Ascent, children are empowered to battle autism using the intensive intervention and the only research validated approach to the treatment of autism, known as Applied Behavior Analysis.
Ascent was made possible by the dream of eight founding families, who six years ago, suffered the same consequence of limited educational programs for their autistic children. Individually, these families were frustrated and helpless. Together, their common impetus transformed to motivation before fully blossoming into Ascent School.
While Ascent is partly state funded, 40% of Ascent’s annual budget (nearly $1,000,000) must be raised privately. The original founding parents, new parent members, and volunteers continue to meet additional funding requirements through various events and much hard work. In 2001, Ascent’s fund raising goal more than doubled when Ascent was informed that it would lose its lease. Networking and reputation found Ascent a new lease space in Deer Park, Long Island, and Ascent assumed responsible for building a school within the 11,000 sq. ft. empty space … the capital building cost of which was estimated at over $950,000.
With little time and less money, Ascent forged a rally of material contributions and voluntary laborers, offsetting the cost by hundreds of thousands. Local union workers volunteered weekends, building Ascent since May, and progressing at an unprecedented rate. New fundraising events (including the first ever Mansion Ride cycling Event), were executed to help afford the new challenge. Volunteers gained the attention of suppliers like Ikea, Armstrong and Home Depot, who made tremendous building material contributions. Politicians from all parties also joined to help Ascent, once a dream, now renowned. The culmination of Ascent’s rally has made a tremendous spirited impact on our school and community, serving as a platform to increase autism awareness and for all to increase their voluntary capacity and experience the profound difference that Ascent has made in the lives of so many.
On September 9, 2002, Ascent School, opened the doors of its new State of the Art facility, designed specifically to meet the needs of the autism community…with far less debt than anticipated. While much has been accomplished, the goal recently met only grants Ascent the right to continue the battle.
While Ascent’s enrollment catchment’s area is Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, Ascent’s Education Program is far reaching and provides broad curriculum writing and teaching tools for educators of the future, enhancing the lives of the entire Autism population. Ascent (named as a model program) plays an integral role in teaching for New York State’s only Masters in Autism Education program—(one of only four in the nation). Ascent invests in the professional development of our educational system. Ascent's program is currently being applied in; teaching university level courses; providing internships for graduate and doctoral level students; creating model classrooms; training school district personnel; and writing textbooks and curriculum for the New York State Education Department. Ascent has been recognized by The New York Times, Newsday, 1010 Wins Radio, WABC Long Island Viewpoints, WB11 Unsung Heroes, The New York Post, and several local news providers.
As a testimonial to Ascent's excellence, in this school year (2004/2005) Ascent was chosen as the first private school program and invited to begin a new District Autism ABA Program within the Massapequa school district. Ascent's program is being replicated and the program is training local teachers to manage the needs of children with autism within their district.
In 2005, Ascent's Executive Director Dr. Nancy Shamow was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her contribution to the field of Autism. In 2006, Ascent's Board President was inducted into the Volunteer Hall of Fame for his volunteer service to Ascent and other charities.
How The Mansion Ride Began...
The Mansion Ride was conceived in a cab riding to the airport.
Once upon a time, A cab driver asked his passenger for a donation. He was riding for AIDS. He proceeded to tell the passenger that he'd already raised $13,000. At the time the passenger was helping a struggling school, volunteering her time to help the cause by creating a video that would raise awareness for children battling autism. The passenger handed him a heartfelt donation, and told him about the cause that kept her up at night wondering how she can improve their circumstance. She asked "Who do you know with AIDS?" The driver responded "No one. I just like to ride my bike." The Ascent program gives children with autism a chance, and their families hope.
6 months after their first meeting the passenger called the driver along with 10 of her friends she knew were avid cyclists and with lots of hard work the Mansion Ride was born.
Special Thanks to Jeffrey Bernstein and Frank Gangone!
Link to Ascent
www.AscentSchool.org
www.AscentSchool.org
The Mansion Ride for Autism
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