St. Augustine — St. Augustine’s Independence Youth Center hosts an ‘80s Prom Fundraiser on Saturday, July 30, at Parlor Room Events, on 300 San Marco Avenue, in St. Augustine. The ‘80s fundraiser will benefit the new, non profit Youth Center slated to open in August.
A free, family-friendly, pre-prom party runs from 5 p. m. to 7 p. m. complete with truck vendors, therapy dogs, a tie-dye t-shirt station, a dance party, and live music by DJ Mista Chris.
From 7 p. m. to 10 p. m., the event turns into an ‘80s Prom for the 21 and over crowd with an open bar, a prom photo booth, a silent auction featuring items from local businesses and of course a live DJ! Tickets are $75 each.
Spearheaded by the Center’s co-founders Jana Sanford-Heller and Carolyn Dentz, the new non-profit center will serve teens both on and off the autism spectrum and those with related diagnosis in need of life skills programming, a guided day school, ABA, and/or occupational and speech therapy. The Center’s mission is “to provide a safe, therapeutic space for local youth and neurodiverse teens to receive mentoring and therapy services, while gaining critical life skills alongside their peers and community.”
Sanford-Heller, an Occupational Therapist, COTA/L, and owner of St. Augustine’s Ride The Wave Therapy Services, joined forces with Dentz whose daughter has ASD to close what they describe as a huge gap in services for St. Augustine teens who don’t fit in the traditional mold.
“I want a place for my daughter to go to where she fits in and is accepted,” explained Dentz. “I want to know that her challenges are supported so that her strengths can shine. Sending her to a huge school and expecting her to fit into a neurotypical box isn’t an option, so I assisted in building a place where children, like my daughter, can find acceptance and independence.”
“Everyone will fit in our Youth Center‚” continued Sanford-Heller. “Neurodiverse, LGBTQIA, on the spectrum, off the spectrum, or even those who don’t fit the mold for traditional middle and high school, everyone is welcome.”
The Youth Center programming includes a guided virtual school described as a venue where during school hours, students log on to their designated virtual program and complete their work with the help and guidance of a special education teacher. School days are structured with work blocks, sensory and movement breaks, snack, lunch and social time. Occupational Therapy is also provided during school hours for those who qualify.
Sanford-Heller said that the Center’s Mentor’s Program is a free service offered to every teen. Community professionals offer mentorships to educate teens interested in their chosen fields. Mentors also assist in college research, applications and scholarships. All mentors are vetted. Career fields include music production, visual and theater arts, political science, real estate, finance, health sciences, business and entrepreneurship, veterinary medicine.
The Youth Center also includes life skills equipment - an apartment - equipped with a washer and dryer, a grooming station, beds, closets, a mini kitchen, and “tons” of cleaning supplies to establish functional, independent life skills. Rewards from mastering life skills tasks include gym fun like climbing the rock wall, boxiing, enjoying the swings, and aerial silks!
“Our Independence Youth Center is proud to be a safe place for teens on the spectrum, as well as those in the LGBTQIA community in need of a place to socialize and obtain support from their community,” concluded Sanford Heller. “Our peer and support groups strive to create a comfortable unity.
Click on the link below to purchase tickets:
For more information visit www.independenceyouthcenter.com ; Facebook @independenceyouthcenter and Instagram @independence_youth_center
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