{"id":72140,"date":"2018-04-10T22:22:46","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T02:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=72140"},"modified":"2018-04-10T22:23:23","modified_gmt":"2018-04-11T02:23:23","slug":"kidspeace-present-author-ron-suskind-life-animated-artsquest-center-bethlehem-sunday-november-5-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=72140","title":{"rendered":"KidsPeace Lehigh Valley Board of Associates Launches Campaign to Build Sensory-Friendly Playground for Autism Services Clients"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BETHLEHEM, PA (April 10, 2018<\/span>)<\/strong> – The KidsPeace Lehigh Valley Board of Associates has launched a fundraising campaign to build a \u201csensory-friendly\u201d playground at the organization\u2019s Broadway Campus in Bethlehem, PA.<\/p>\n

The new playground will be designed for the needs of children with autism and other sensory-sensitive conditions, so that they can enjoy outdoor activities and opportunities for socialization in a safe and comfortable setting.\u00a0 The playground will be in close proximity to the location of KidsPeace\u2019s three autism programs at the Broadway Campus, serving 250 local youth in those programs and KidsPeace\u2019s other community and residential programs.<\/p>\n

Board of Associates Co-Chair Tony DaRe (left) announced at the campaign\u2019s April 5th<\/sup> kickoff event that the group already had raised more than half of the estimated $36,000 cost of the new playground, and he expects the campaign to reach its goal by May 22<\/span>.\u00a0 \u201cThis playground is an exciting project for our group to support, because we want to give these kids the same opportunities to enjoy and learn that other children have,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Alexis Harvey (right), Program Manager for the KidsPeace autism programs, has been working on plans for the new playground for several years. \u201cOur vision is to provide a safe recreational and therapeutic environment for kids of all ages and physical abilities.\u00a0 It\u2019s tremendously important for their development to have the opportunity to play and engage with each other,\u201d she said. \u201cOur staff and the families we serve are so grateful to the Board of Associates and its supporters for their efforts to turn this vision into reality for our kids,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

More information about the planned playground and the fundraising campaign is at www.kidspeace.org\/playground<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more than 135 years, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities throughout the United States. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened in 1882, more than 200,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers. <\/em><\/p>\n

For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit <\/em>www.kidspeace.org<\/em><\/a>. Follow us at <\/em>www.facebook.com\/kidspeace.org<\/em><\/a> or on Twitter @KidsPeace.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Information and image provided to TVL by:
\nBob Martin
\nKidsPeace
\nDirector of Communications<\/p>\n

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