Autism Walk registration is open |
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The Summit Center 2025 Autism Walk will take place on Saturday, May 10 at 150 Stahl Road, Getzville. Registration is open at SummitAutismWalk.org and costs $10; children under 18 years old are free and do not need to register. The importance of a strong foundation for children and adults with autism cannot be understated. At The Summit Center, we’re committed to providing the specialized support people need to achieve their full potential. The Autism Walk, presented by West Herr, is a community-wide effort to raise funds for these essential services. Last year’s event raised more than $310,000 to support the Early Autism Program, respite care, vocational training, and other life-changing programs. Support us in reaching our 2025 goal of $325,000! |
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Support Summit during
Autism Acceptance Month |
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April is Autism Acceptance Month, and while The Summit Center celebrates children and adults with autism all year round, this month is extra special. Several fundraising events will be taking place to help individuals with autism continue to reach new levels of learning and independence.
Delta Sonic is running a round up campaign at 12 participating locations around Western New York. Customers will be encouraged to round up for autism acceptance when purchasing a car wash, interior detail, or other service.
WNY Beer Trail is hosting an event from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at Resurgence Brewing Company, 55 Chicago St., Buffalo. The event will feature a silent auction of autographed items from the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits as well as basket raffles, local vendors, and an appearance by Ghostbusters of WNY. Resurgence will donate $1 per pint for two select beers sold during the event. On Monday, April 28, walk team Aaron's Allies will host a Skate for Summit event from 5-7 p.m. at Rainbow Rink, 101 Oliver St., North Tonawanda. The cost is $10 per person and $4 to rent skates. This will be a sensory-friendly event with low music volumes, a well-lit rink, and no strobing or flashing lights. Attendees can also enjoy contests, a 50/50 raffle, games, and door prizes. Walk team Théoden’s Fellowship will host an artisan and vendor market from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at Summit Academy-Stahl, 150 Stahl Road, Getzville. The event will feature more than 20 artisans and vendors, basket raffles, a photo booth, and food trucks. Proceeds from each event will support the 2025 Autism Walk, which raises funds for critical programs and services. For a full list of events happening during April, please see our Upcoming Events section below. |
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Highlights from the WNYRCASD
annual conference |
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The Western New York Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders’ (WNYRCASD) annual conference took place virtually on March 13. “Meeting the Unique Needs of Autistic Individuals with Diverse Strengths” featured three presentations from highly regarded leaders in the field. Nearly 400 parents, teachers, speech therapists, and other related professionals learned a wide range of strategies to better support individuals with autism. Dr. Ebony L. Holliday and Dr. Ericka Wodja of the Kennedy Krieger Institute shared their expertise in a presentation titled “The Quiet Impact of Executive Dysfunction on Classroom Participation in Autism”. They offered solutions to assist students with working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility. Dr. Peter Gerhardt BCBA-D, executive director of EPIC School in Paramus, NJ, presented “Promoting Lives of Quality and Happiness for Autistic Adolescents and Adults.” He discussed skill development to foster independence and promoted the need for personal choice in behavioral intervention programs.
Lastly, Dr. Christine Moody, clinical psychologist at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, provided evidence-based strategies in “Supporting Autistic Students in Making Social Connections.” She noted the importance of voluntary participation in social skills programs and the impact of social challenges on autistic youth.
The WNYRCASD is a collaboration between The Summit Center, University at Albany, and The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Throughout the year, a variety of workshops and trainings are offered for parents, teachers, school administrators, human service providers, and other related professionals. For more information, please visit the WNYRCASD webpage.
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2024 impact report now available |
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The Summit Center’s 2024 Impact Report, which covers July 1, 2023 to June 30,2024, showcases some of the remarkable achievements made during this fiscal year, such as new executive leadership, new schools, and meaningful breakthroughs. Included within these pages is: - A message from CEO Lisa A. Foti
- A feature on our new leadership team
- A story about Summit Academy’s expansion to five locations
- A highlight of our integrated preschool classroom at Buffalo State University
- A recap of our successful Autism Walk and Party for Summit events
- And much more!
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Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr |
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Meet John Martz! What is your role at Summit? I am a transition specialist working with adolescents and young adults. Describe what your day might look like.
My days can vary from 1:1 vocational instruction to group instruction to meeting with community business partners to set up student vocational experiences and generate enough work to keep our vocational students busy. Most of my time, however, is given to supervising the student work teams in our COVE (Creekside Occupational and Vocational Enterprise) program, which now operates primarily out of Summit’s 75 Pineview site. What are you most proud of, personally and professionally?
Any success in this field is built on pile after pile of tiny victories by a lot of people, so I guess I am proud just to have added something to that pile. Personally, I’m proud of the young men that my boys are growing up to be. I’m also proud of all the experiences that playing music has provided me over the years. And I’m proud of my ability to keep broken things working with duct tape and wire. |
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What is your favorite place to eat in Western New York? Tough call. The place I find myself recommending the most is La Divina Taqueria in Kenmore. Name someplace on your bucket list. I want to spend at least a night at the ice hotel in Quebec City. |
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April 1-30: Delta Sonic Location: Participating Delta Sonic locations across Western NY Round up for The Summit Center when you purchase a car wash, interior detail, or any service from our friends at Delta Sonic.
April 1-30: Your CBD Store/Sunmed
Location: 4154 McKinley Pkwy, Suite 800, Hamburg, NY 14219 Your CBD Store/Sunmed has chosen The Summit Center as their "Skip the Bag, Donate to Charity" recipient for April. Every time a customer skips taking a bag with their purchase, they will donate $1 to Summit. April 1-30: Cup of Communitea
Location: 5416 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221 Cup of Communitea will donate a portion of proceeds from the sales of its five featured teas of April, which include: raspberry rose, mushroom chai, lavender chamomile, blackberry sage, and lemon ginger. April 1-30: Wayland Brewing
Location: 3740 N Buffalo St., Orchard Park, NY 14127 Wayland Brewing will donate $1 for every pint sold of its flagship beer during the month of April.
April 2: PJ Cools Time: 1-9 p.m.
Location: 6160 Transit Road, Depew, NY 14043 For World Autism Acceptance Day, PJ Cools will be donating a portion of proceeds from their special red and multi-colored treat menu. Special guests will include the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from 5-7 p.m. and Elmo from 6-8 p.m. April 9: Dining Out Night at Jonny C's
Time: 4-8 p.m.
Location: 9350 Transit Road, East Amherst, NY 14051 Skip the dishes and dine out at Jonny C's! Mention Summit and 20% of sales will be donated. April 26: WNY Beer Trail Time: 12-4 p.m.
Location: Resurgence Brewing Company, 55 Chicago St., Buffalo, NY 14204 WNY Beer Trail will host a fundraising event to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and support The Summit Center. Resurgence will donate $1 per pint on two selected beers. The event will also feature a silent auction, a basket raffle, and special guests. April 28: Skate for Summit Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Rainbow Rink, 101 Oliver St., North Tonawanda, NY 14120
The Skate for Summit fundraiser will feature a sensory-friendly atmosphere and include contests, a 50/50 raffle, games, and door prizes. The cost is $10 per person and $4 for skate rentals.
May 3: Théoden's Fellowship Artisan Market Time: 12-4 p.m.
Location: 150 Stahl Road, Getzville, NY 14068 Théoden's Fellowship will hold an artisan market and basket raffle. The event will include more than 20 artisans and vendors, a basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and more. Food trucks will be available throughout the event. May 10: The Summit Center 2025 Autism Walk Time: Check-in opens at 8 a.m.
Location: 150 Stahl Road, Getzville, NY 14068
Join us for a fun-filled day to celebrate children and adults with autism! The cost is $10 to register; children under 18 are free and do not need to register. Sign up and start fundraising today at SummitAutismWalk.org. | |
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In 1987, President Ronald Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase public awareness of the needs and the potential of people with developmental disabilities. It also promotes inclusion and creating opportunities to help individuals with developmental disabilities achieve their goals. (National Disability Institute) |
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Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social, and behavioral challenges. |
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