#BeABuddy 5K is a HIT!!!

Our 5th Annual #BeABuddy 5K Race and Family Health and Fitness Expo was held on Saturday October 22nd, 2022! 

Thank you to all of our past and present sponsors, vendors, race participants and partner organizations that have helped us to grow this community event which highlights Bullying Prevention initiatives and our Be a Buddy Volunteer program. Check out our mascot "BUDDY" who is featured on our race t-shirts and awards medals! 

For more information visit our race website - CLICK HERE - our 2023 Be a Buddy 5K is scheduled for 10/21/23 and registration will be open soon!

For vendor or sponsor inquiries please contact us and thank you!

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THANK YOU

to ALL of our sponsors and supporters for helping us bring FULLY FUNDED programs to our families!

• Autism is 4 times more common in boys than in girls
  

• Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• On average, Autism costs a family nearly $60,000 per year between medical costs and intensive behavioral interventions

• Autism prevalence statistics are growing
  
• 1:36 children are now affected with Autism  
  

The Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development was founded to provide a community of understanding and support to children, teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disabilities and their families. 

How do we do this?  By funding, planning and facilitating educational sessions, sports, and arts programs.  Contact us to join in the fun!

ACHIEVE

Hope

HIGHLIGHTS FROM YEARS PAST

STATISTICS

​​FREE PROGRAMS in 2023 at

The Parker Foundation!

Our 2023 Programs are in Full Swing! 

This year's free programs include: Dance and Art Clinics, Adaptive Soccer at Melbourne Central Catholic HS. Adaptive Tennis at Cocoa Beach Racquet Club, Swim Socials, Swimming on the Spectrum program, Basketball Clinics and our 6th Annual #BeABuddy 5K Race and Family Health and Fitness Expo scheduled for Saturday, October 21 and much more!  Our "Be a Buddy" initiative focuses on kindness and inclusion, and educates about Bullying Prevention - we are a proud

"Champion Against Bullying" organization in partnership with PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center!

Our fully funded programs are for school aged children with ASD's, related disabilities (or any special needs) and their siblings. Our adaptive sports events are centered around learning the basic skills and rules of the sports and playing fun, non-competitive games while socializing in an uplifting environment. Did you know...The Parker Foundation is a certified USTA Adaptive Tennis Playday program provider?

Learn more about our free inclusive programs and how we partner with local individuals and organizations to bring education, sports, arts and fun to our families!

Our Mission

Join Us

Believe...

Our dream is to come together as a community to support children with Autism and related disabilities; help us make it reality

Date: Saturday, August 19th, 2023
 
Time: 5:30-6:30pm VIP Early Access, 6:30-9pm General Admission
 
Venue: The NEW Derek Gores Gallery in the Eau Gallie Arts District
 
About: Featuring immersive art experiences, DJ, open bar and bites...something for all the senses!
 
Contact: For more information and sponsorship opportunities email - info@theparkerfoundation.com

For tickets and sponsorship - click here
 

SPEAK THROUGH EDUCATION

The Parker Foundation partnered with the Brevard Zoo during their 2016 Safari Under the Stars event, sponsoring the "Breakfast Meet and Greet" with Dr. Temple Grandin!   200 invitees representing parents, educators and community support personnel directly impacting the Autism community in Brevard County met in the Nyami Nyami Lodge to hear Temple's message.  Goody bags complete with copies of Temple's new book The Autistic Brain were donated to attendees which were signed by Temple on site for a personal touch not soon to be forgotten. Parker Foundation founders, Ted and Melissa Parker, shared their story and their mission for the foundation, and presented Dr. Grandin with a special gift made in part by the children enrolled in their Speak Through Arts program.   For more information on our programs, please contact usand be sure to  add your information to our email list for program updates and registration details!  

Our mission is to use education, sports and the arts as avenues to enrich the lives of and bridge the gap between children, teens and young adults  with Autism Spectrum Disorders, related disabilities, their families and the community in which we live. 

We are currently in need of local businesses, organizations and individuals that would be interested in partnering with The Parker Foundation to implement our very exciting Speak Through Education, Speak Through Sports and Speak Through Arts programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families.  Contact us now to find out how!

CURRENT Programs

​https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

​​Sunday on the River 4/16/23

Noon to 4pm - Private Residence, Indialantic, FL 
We are excited to announce our fundraising event, solely benefiting The Parker Foundation's FREE programs in Brevard County:

Sunday on the River

by Revolution Technologies 

We are so thankful to all supporters, vendors, volunteers, attendees and sponsors for helping to make this event a success!
 Sponsors will enjoy private poolside/riverside cabanas with bottle service and dedicated cabana host/hostess and be highlighted at the event and on event and social media networks. DJ Malike of Curate Entertainment will be spinning from the rooftop patio, and Electric Violinist Char Good will set the tone as guests enter their resort destination for the day. Brunch and beverage service handled exclusively from our friends at Ember and Oak. Visit our Old Havana Lounge VIP experience by Relentless Private Equity Group with elevated brunch and beverage options - and one amazing view! 

Lucky winners will win prizes from the Key to the Cabana - worth over $15,000.00 and climbing which includes a personal photography session and personal art experience by Womack/Hunter Collective, Luxury Resort Wear by Shirl Clark Collection, Gift Certificate from Lovely Airbrush Tanning Co. and much more!  With only 250 raffle tickets being sold - there's a great chance to win! ​

​Visit our event website to learn more and join us!

​​UPCOMING EVENTS - Late Summer and Fall 2023

• ​Saturday, August 19th "Piece of Mind" Benefit at Derek Gores Gallery for The Parker Foundation in collaboration with Livewire Magazine and Kim E Events:
  

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• Super Skate for Super Kids at Galaxy Skateway Saturday, September 16th 2023 4:30-6:30pm in collaboration with Space Cadets! To register for this FREE event - click here

• CPR/AED and First Aid Training and Certification -Thursday, September 21st 5:30 to 7:30pm UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County sponsored by Kelli Wilkin, Realtor of Keller Williams Brevard. Training by Super Stat Medical Training Solutions  

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• Speak Through Sports Youth/Teen/Young Adult Adaptive/Inclusive Basketball Dates and Location TBA very soon! 
  

For more information on upcoming events, please contact us to be added to our email list for updates and registration information. Also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @theparkerfoundationforautism for up to the minute information and updates!

The 5th Annual "Be a Buddy" 5K Race and

Family Health/Fitness Expo was held

Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at The Field of Dreams in West Melbourne, FL!

Each year our community takes the pledge against bullying, signs our traveling "Unity Banner", visits with vendors, volunteers and sponsors, and enjoys dancing, music and fun activities together at our 5K Race and free kids run. THANK YOU to all involved for making this an unforgettable event each year to support kindness, inclusion and acceptance. Our 6th annual Be a Buddy 5K is scheduled for 10/21/23 - watch for registration to launch very soon!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR

FREE PARKER FOUNDATION PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH POSSIBLE!!!