Faith Archives - Tonya Nash

Exciting Updates for an Autism Awareness Ministry

Feb 18, 2019

I have some exciting news to share about the Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative! We are growing and taking things to the next level! In 2016, the Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative was started to promote autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion in faith-based communities. Since then, we have served 32 churches and over 10,800 people have learned about autism at their place of worship! In 2017, we won Honorable Mention at the Patients'...

A Successful Autism Faith Initiative

Jul 1, 2018

I am pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative. This has been our best year yet! I sincerely thank and applaud all of the churches, organizations, and individuals that partnered with us to make our places of worship more autism friendly. Summary The Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative was created in 2016 to promote autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion in faith based communities around the world! We...

How to Join the Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative

Mar 2, 2018

Hello Everyone, This step by step video shows how you can join the award-winning Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative! Activity ideas, resources and assistance are provided to faith based communities that participate in this initiative for FREE! Our goal is for these activities to increase autism awareness, promote early intervention and reduce stigmas. As a result, we believe that this will lead to acceptance and inclusion in faith-based communities for persons with autism and...

Award-Winning Autism Awareness Ministry Seeks Partner Churches

Feb 26, 2018

I'm excited to announce that the 2018 Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative is underway! We are recruiting churches to join our award-winning autism awareness ministry and we would love for you to join us! Since 2016, the initiative has served 23 churches and over 5500 people! Our goal is for every person with autism and their family to have a welcoming church in their local area. We seek to do this by encouraging churches...

Autism Awareness Initiative Receives Award

Dec 11, 2017

I am excited to announce that the Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative won Honorable Mention at the Patients' View Impact Awards! This award recognizes a patient's story and the potential it has for a positive impact on healthcare delivery. The award submission required an essay, a short video and links to any supporting information about your work. An excerpt from my submission is included on the Patients' View Institute's blog. I started this initiative in 2016...

Promoting Autism Awareness in Faith Based Communities

Jun 2, 2017

Autism awareness is very important for our faith based communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that autism affects 1 out of every 68 children. With a rate that high, many churches are sure to encounter a family affected by autism and churches must be prepared. I didn't understand how difficult church could be for persons with autism until my son was diagnosed. I watched him struggle with social interactions and with abrupt changes in...

Join Me for an Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative!

Jan 30, 2017

Did you know that April is National Autism Awareness Month? This annual observance was sponsored by the Autism Society almost 25 years ago to promote awareness, acceptance and inclusion for persons with autism. Since 2013, I've been sharing my family's story about autism and trying to make a difference within my own areas of influence. This year is no different. I'm looking for places of worship to partner with me for a very special autism awareness faith based initiative!...

My Experience at the Coastal Disability Ministry Summit

Oct 6, 2016

I recently had the privilege of attending the Coastal Disability Ministry Summit in Charleston, SC on September 23rd - 24th. It was sponsored by Joni and Friends Charlotte and the Lowcountry Special Needs Network. The event was held on the beautiful campus of Charleston Southern University. I was invited to attend this summit as a guest presenter with Mrs. Gale Dollar. Our break-out session, "Inclusive Disability Ministry," explained how the special needs ministry got started at...

A New Devotional for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Sep 19, 2016

Are you the parent of a special needs child? Do you have a friend or family member that is new on the journey of raising a child with special needs? If so, I strongly recommend the book, Refresh: Spiritual Nourishment for Parents of Children with Special Needs by Kimberly M. Drew and Jocelyn Green. Here's how the book is set up. There are eight chapters, with each title cleverly alluding to the growth process of a tree....

How Sixteen Churches Spread Autism Awareness in a Big Way

Jun 23, 2016

Hello Everyone! I have some results that I would like to share with you from the 2016 Autism Awareness Month Faith Based Initiative. This was our first year for the initiative and I enjoyed every moment of it! Over 3000 persons from 16 churches received information about autism as a result of the initiative. A special thank you goes out to the following churches that completed the program: Antioch Freewill Baptist Church in Linden, NC Bethesda Church...

Archive

Category Archive for "Faith"