Grassroots organizations are usually a non-for profit organization that handle issues around a specific topic focused within a particular neighborhood. These organizations are usually created by members in the community who are directly effected by the issue, or has some investment within the issue. For the purpose of my research, I looked at grassroots organizations around mental health issues, as well as around autism specifically.
- The Center for Autism: better outcomes for life
~Is a Philadelphia based organization that provides evaluation services and treatment programs for residence in the greater Philadelphia area. It is a non for profit mental health clinic which serves to evalutae and understand each child’s individual relationship with autism, and to provide and create programs and provide resources that will best serve the needs of that individual child and their families.
http://www.thecenterforautism.org/
- The Autism Society of Nebraska
~ The Autism Society of Nebraska is located in Lincoln, Nebraska focusing on the advocacy of individuals with autism. The group organizes autism walks, provide grants and scholarships for educators and families to provide education and awareness around autism. All the proceeds stay in Nebraska and goes to the development and and education of individuals with autism.
- The Autism Coalition of MA
~The Autism Coalition of MA is a Massachusetts based networking collaborative of organizations in the state focused on sharing resources, providing services to families, and being a collective voice throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to effect policy change. The coalition advocates for measurable IEP goals, provides locations to different advocacy groups throughout the state, news articles and more. The main purpose of the coalition is to provide education and policy changes.
http://autismcoalitionofma.com/
- Autism Ontario
~ Autism Ontario is located in Toronto and focused on increasing public awareness about the day-to-day hardships of living with autism spectrum. Created several PSA (Public service announcements) addressing the issue of autism in Ontario as well as advocacy groups that families and individuals can reach out to for support and other resources. Provides an autism summer camp, as well as provide reimbursements for families paying for one-on-one support services for their children.
http://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/web/Home?OpenDocument
- The Autism Society of Maine
~The Autism society of Maine is an advocacy group focused on education, the general welfare of individuals with autism, community outreach, and parent education. Offers fundraisers through walk-a-thons, social media connections, newsletters and many other resources. It began as an organization of parents with children who had autism and wanted to bring awareness to the community as well as advocate for their children through polices, schools, etc. Eventually it spread out to provide parent support groups to other areas the eventually developed into the advocacy group it is today.
http://www.asmonline.org/about.asp
- Nami
~Nami is a grassroots support and advocacy program focused on mental illness with branches all over the country from Ohio, Philadelphia, Clermont County, and many other locations. The mission as a collective is to try and provide an inclusive and friendly environment for individuals living with mental illness. Although each branch has different objectives and focuses, and this group is not directly focused on autism, the organization as a whole is to provide awareness and advocate for individuals with mental illnesses.
http://www.nami-cc.org/index.php
- Autism Companions
~ Love fluffy and furry animals? Well Good Dog! Autism companions is the right place for you. The site talks about the ways in which dogs can serve as companions to help kids with Autism develop social skills, communication, skills, responsibilities, as well as just having a friend. Although families do have to pay for the dogs, the organization tries to provide half the funding to buy the dogs, obtained through donations, as well as provide supports for families to fund-raise and get the funds necessary to get a dog.
http://gooddogautismcompanions.tumblr.com/post/101802501163/signalboostthis
- Artist with Autism
~Artist with Autism is a non for profit networking group focused on bringing aspiring artist with autism together. The group displays work of some of their members, sell their artwork, and to provide guidance and support for artist with autism. The primary goal is to teach the artist business and social skills through their art work.
http://artistswithautismunite.webs.com/
