Autism Bridges Maui holds a biannual surf camp for special needs children at Launiupoko Beach on the island of Maui in which families can also participate.
Autism Bridges Maui is a grassroots non-profit organization founded with the goal of providing support and services to individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders, education for families of affected individuals, and raising awareness within the general community.
Due to its isolated location, there are limited resources on the island of Maui to provide professional support for the nearly 200 school-aged children in Maui County affected by autism spectrum disorders. Autism Bridges Maui seeks to bring additional professional resources from the U.S. mainland to assist with the struggles of affected individuals and families.
Autism Bridges Maui provides services ranging from their Family Support Group to their Resource Library—dedicated to helping educate those affected discover more effective approaches in living with autism spectrum disorders—as well as the Seminar/Conference Reimbursement Program, which provides assistance to families in financial need to allow them to attend educational trainings, seminars, and conferences. Additionally, Autism Bridges Maui holds a Surf Camp bi-annually for special needs children with the help of trained volunteers in which families can take part as well.
Services provided by Autism Bridges Maui are made possible through fundraising and tax-deductible donations, and with through help of committed volunteers. In November of 2007, Capricorn Events and Wailea Marriot Resort and Spa joined forces in a fundraiser in which a percentage of their luau admission fee was donated to Autism Bridges Maui, which in turn was matched by Marriott Maui Ocean Club.
Another recent success was “Artists for Autism” hosted by Jacques Restaurant in Paia in April of 2008, in which Autism Bridges Maui was the recipient of a percentage of the proceeds.
You can help by making a financial donation, donate books to the Resource Library, or sign up to volunteer as an individual or with a group through the Autism Bridges Maui website.