Move-A-Thon supports Autism treatment

Community members are invited to get moving to support autism treatment in Coos County.

Starfish Youth Therapy Center is hosting their inaugural "Move-A-Thon" to raise funds to expand their services.

Participants can seek out pledges from friends and family to raise money for each lap they complete on the track. Then, at noon on Saturday, July 27, participants will have three hours to run, walk, or wheel around the track at Sunset Middle School to raise money while enjoying event activities.

Entry to the fundraiser costs $5 per person, and all event participants can enjoy carnival games, inflatables, and a free hot dog lunch.

“The funds will be very helpful because we are looking to expand our services, and expand our physical space as well,” said Starfish Program Manager Gina Mastroianni.

The fundraiser will also double as a way for Starfish staff to introduce their work to more community members.

The Starfish Youth Therapy Center is a program of Waterfall Clinic that offers outpatient therapy services to youth ages 3 to 21 with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

“We benefit the community because we're the only services of our kind in this area,” Mastroianni said.

“Before we were here, most of our families were driving out to Eugene or over to Roseburg in order to get the services that we provide,” she said.

The Starfish center provides services that support each child's independence, development, and well-being. They believe in a team approach between providers, patients, and their families – emphasizing effective communication and individualized strategies for each patient.

“When a child is referred to us and they start receiving services, we want to teach them skills that are going to improve their lives, but we don't want to change them or take away the things that make them uniquely themselves,” Mastroianni said.

“We want to play to their strengths, and cater to the individual to teach them how to be aware of their needs and advocate for themselves,” she said.

Starfish Youth Therapy Center project manager Jordan McLaren agreed.

“One of the things I think is exceptional about our services is that we meet the client where they're at - including working with them in schools. So it's not just about building skills here, it's about being in the environments that they're typically in, and helping them adapt,” McLaren said.

The staff at the Starfish Youth Therapy Center said they are meeting an important need in the community. They said they also have a client waitlist and expanding their services will help them reach more children.

To join in the "Move-A-Thon" fundraiser, go to Starfish Youth Therapy Center’s Facebook Page.

Community members can also make a donation to the Starfish Youth Therapy Center on their website: www.wfall.org/starfish.