ARK Continues funding relationship with the Autism Society – LEGO Club

Auto Racers for Kids Charity has partnered with the Northwest PA Autism Society for the past 8 years. We believe in their vision of creating and executing of the Building Connections LEGO Club, a therapeutic LEGO Club for children and teens on the autism spectrum. Over the 8 years, they have had the pleasure of #BuildingFriendshipsBrickbyBrick with 730 students in kindergarten thru grade 12!

Auto Racers for Kids strives to make a positive impact in the lives of kids, teens, and families in our community! The Northwest PA Autism Society does just that and we are honored to work to fully fund the LEGO Club. Not only do we fund the ERIE chapter of the LEGO Club, we fund the Crawford Chapter also!

From Tish Bartlett, Executive Director of the AS-NWPA: LEGO Club therapy has proven results for motivating learning and behavioral changes by drawing upon a child’s natural interest. In 2021, we initiated a LEGO Club mentor program. We have LEGO clubber alumni returning to volunteer as mentors to our LEGO Club littles (K-5). The mentors are expected to set a good example by following the LEGO Club rules and managing their behaviors because they want to serve as role models. The mentor can demonstrate how to handle difficult emotional situations to the mentee. An individual on the autism spectrum being a role model for young participants also on the autism spectrum has many benefits but one major component is sharing the understanding of their internal feelings.

We are proud and honored to be a partner with Auto Racers For Kids Charity for 8 years. Auto Racers for Kids believed in our vision of creating, Building Connections LEGO Club, a therapeutic LEGO Club for children and teens on the autism spectrum. Over the 8 years, we have had the pleasure of #BuildingFriendshipsBrickbyBrick with 730 – kindergarten thru grade 12!

Thank you, Auto Racers for Kids, for making a positive impact in the lives of kiddos, teens, and families in our community!

LEGO Club therapy has proven results for motivating learning and behavioral changes by drawing upon a child’s natural interest. In 2021, we initiated a LEGO Club mentor program. We have LEGO clubber alumni returning to volunteer as mentors to our LEGO Club littles (K-5). The mentors are expected to set a good example by following the LEGO Club rules and managing their behaviors because they want to serve as role models. The mentor can demonstrate how to handle difficult emotional situations to the mentee. An individual on the autism spectrum being a role model for young participants also on the autism spectrum has many benefits but one major component is sharing the understanding of their internal feelings.

Pictured: (L to R) Scott Bonnell, ARK Vice President; Nikki Layton, ARK Secretary; Jill Blair, ARK President; Becca Hess, ARK Board, Tish Bartlett, AS NWPA Executive Director; Jeff Plyler, ARK Board.