The Anthony Costa Foundation is partnering with Autistic Camp Australia’s (ACA) Helping Hand program to offer four fully-funded places at ACA’s experiential learning and capacity building camps for autistic young people.
The camp places, valued at $8500 each, will be provided to four financially disadvantaged local Geelong and region families.
Australian autistic young people face many disadvantages, such as untreated mental health problems, worse employment prospects, education barriers and much higher rates of suicide ideation and attempts.
ACA chief officer Rachel Rowe said her organisation aimed to empower autistic young people by focusing on their strengths and help them break mental health crisis cycles.
“Creating autistic community is at the heart of all that we do,” Ms Rowe said.
“We understand how it feels to be different. For young people attending our capacity building camps, it’s often the first chance at friendship, and the first step towards mainstream social and community participation.
“Our camps are a critical stepping-stone to get them there. And it’s important to me that the opportunity to attend is available to all autistic young people.”
With the Anthony Costa Foundation coming on board as a match funding partner, that opportunity is now extended to four more families who otherwise would be unable to attend.
“ACA is thrilled to partner with the Anthony Costa Foundation, a like-minded organisation who understands the incredible value of driving life-changing outcomes around mental health and wellbeing, employability, economic participation, education, and ultimately life expectancy.’ Ms Rowe said.
Interested families can find out more information about ACA’s April and June camps at autismcampaustralia.org/aca-helping-hand-program.
