Mini-Grant Recipient Success Stories: Els for Autism (2016 - 2017)
Els for Autism Foundation has been awarded 2 Healthier Jupiter Mini-Grants over the years. The impact they are making in the community is amazing!
Els for Autism Foundation’s mission is to provide life spanning service programs to help adults successfully transition to all aspect of life including employment, independent living and recreation.
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often lack opportunities for physical activity due to high levels of intensive therapy involving stagnant activities throughout each day. In addition, many individuals with ASD have high incident deficits in motor planning and coordination leading to an aversion to fitness activities. Although these individuals may shy away from physical activity and organized sports, it is imperative to create programs that use evidence-based practices to get them active, moving and practicing social skills.
In 2016 - 2017 Els for Autism used their Healthier Jupiter funds for Ernie Els #GameOn Autism Fitness Project to create a permanent, autism-friendly park in North Jupiter Flatwoods. Additions to the park included break areas, improved fencing, signage and the modification of current informational literature.
The collaboration between Els for Autism Foundation, The Learning Academy at The Els Center of Excellence and Palm Beach County provides a sustainable commitment to improving the fitness and health of Jupiter residents with ASD. Now the entire community will enjoy the additions to the area.
The North Jupiter Flatwoods this year received formal designation as a certified autism-friendly natural area, certified by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, making it the first public owned land in the state of Florida to receive this distinction. Healthier Jupiter is proud to have played a part in the creation of the first autism friendly natural area in the State of Florida. There is already plans to improve a second natural area in Palm Beach County.
Els for Autism’s Ernie Els #GameOn Autism Fitness Project in the North Jupiter Flatwoods is a stand out project for our focus area to support changes in the built environment and community policies that promote equitable opportunities for healthy living.
About Healthier Jupiter’s 2019-2020 Mini-Grant Program
Healthier Jupiter, a community initiative founded to address health and quality of life issues, for the fourth year in a row, Healthier Jupiter will offer Mini Grants to impact the health of our community. The goal of the Mini Grants is to fund innovative projects that have measurable impact and can create meaningful, transformative change in the health, wellness and success of the greater Jupiter community. The grants will allow civic organizations, churches, temples, schools, government entities and nonprofits to fund pilot ideas to improve our collective community health in one of four focus areas:
Increase the availability and affordability of fresh, healthy foods;
Help individuals become more physically active on a regular basis;
Encourage people to engage mentally and physically to practice healthy behaviors; and/or
Support changes in the built environment and community policies that promote equitable opportunities for healthy living.
For more information about Healthier Jupiter’s Mini-Grant Program please visit healthierjupiter.org/grants. Here you can learn about past recipients, get some great inspiration from innovative ideas from around the country, and submit an interest form (which is required to submit a grant).
Healthier Jupiter is funded through a generous grant from Palm Health Foundation in partnership with Jupiter Medical Center, as part of the countywide Healthier Together Initiative.