Autism Ontario

Our Vision: Acceptance and opportunities for all individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Our Mission: To ensure that each individual with ASD is provided the means to achieve quality of life as a respected member of society.

Our 6 Key Areas of Focus

• Advocacy and Support
• Research
• Best Practices
• Government Relations
• Public Awareness
• Governance
  

Autism Ontario (formerly Autism Society Ontario) is the leading source of information and referral on autism and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community. Members are connected through a volunteer network of Chapters throughout the Province of Ontario.

We are guided by a Board of Directors, composed primarily of parents of individuals with autism, plus a host of volunteers and respected professionals who provide expertise and guidance to the organization on a volunteer basis.

Autism Ontario is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals with whom they interact. The association and its chapters share common goals of providing information and education, supporting research, and advocating for programs and services for the autism community.

Need to BOOK YOUR STAY during Aloha Toronto. Our host hotel is the CAMBRIDGE SUITES HOTEL in downtown Toronto.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Aloha Toronto is the first beach festival in Toronto! The first and only Surfers Healing Canadian date!
• The only large scale event benefitting autism in Ontario! Along with Surfers Healing, our local beneficiary for 2013 is Autism Ontario!
• We are spreading aloha to our ohana in British Columbia and  Nova Scotia in 2014! Stay tuned for details.

Visit our Facebook page for regular updates.

Do you want to be a volunteer at Aloha Toronto? There will be many positions available to help facilitate this massive event. From set up to tear down, from assisting vendors to the live entertainment stage and from the stand up paddle (SUP) races to Surfers Healing, we welcome your support!

Kindly fill out the contact form below adding the following in the message block: “VOLUNTEER”  to RSVP your spot.

Mahalo!

Aloha Toronto Team

WHAT ALL VOLUNTEERS NEED TO KNOW:

1. Watch our inaugural event Aloha Toronto 2012
2. The inspiration behind Aloha Toronto is Surfers Healing. Aloha Toronto founder Helen Hatzis shares the story.
3. In their own words, Izzy and Danielle talk about how it began in their show “The Swell Life” that was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
4. Surfers Healing is now in its 16th year. Toronto, Canada was their first Canadian date at Aloha Toronto.
5. Surfers Healing is our beneficiary annually. We also support a local autism organization. In 2012 it was SickKids Hospital. This year (2013), it is Autism Ontario.
6. Team Aloha Toronto is active throughout the year spreading autism awareness by producing a series of awareness videos, hosting smaller scale events such as: Snow Bash – the hottest party in the middle of winter, and film screenings.
7. Dress code: We are a professional event dealing with the public. Everyone will be fashioned with a branded event shirt to stand out. We suggested comfortable (smart) looking shorts/board shorts and shoes (flip flops, water shoes with extra on hand).
8. Conduct: Once we don an event shirt, we must be cognizant of how we act and react in any situation. We must all use best practices and uphold professional standards while on duty. No obscene language, no smoking, no consumption of alcohol.
9. Shift Responsibility: Volunteers will be assigned specific roles and are encouraged to work closely with their team and captain. Volunteers are expected to perform their duties with utmost professionalism and best practices. Volunteers must be punctual and fulfill their confirmed commitments.
10. Social Media: Help us by spreading the word! Like us on Facebook. Tweet about us. Repin our photos on Pinterest. Share, retweet and pin our posts, tweets and photos.
11. Aloha Toronto, Surfers Healing and Autism Ontario branding see below:
12. The Aloha Toronto weekend includes:

Surfers Healing logo:

                  Autism Ontario logo:

Contact: alohatoronto@gmail.com

PLEASE CONTACT US AND A VENDOR REPRESENTATIVE WILL EMAIL THE NECESSARY APPLICATION.

Surfers Healing was founded by Israel (Izzy) and Danielle Paskowitz. Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children, he often suffered from sensory overload-- simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite. A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea -- with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing.

The Paskowitz family is world renowned as the first family of surfing. A documentary “Surf Wise” depicts the nomadic lifestyle that patriarch Dorian Doc Paskowitz, his wife Juliette and nine kids lived – surfing and living a clean lifestyle. Today, Izzy Paskowitz’s family life with autism was featured in an Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) program titled “The Swell Life.”  www.surfershealing.org/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=82-W4CbAFXY

Aloha Toronto is happy to announce that the CAMBRIDGE SUITES HOTEL, in Toronto is our host hotel again this year!

To book your room with this fantastic hotel, you must call and make your own reservations with the hotel.  Please call their toll free number 1-800-463-1990 or locally at 416-368-1990, and ask for the Reservations Department.  They are pleased to offer a special discounted rate at 20% off. When contacting the hotel, please reference this promotional code: 13ALOHA13.

Each elegantly appointed suite consists of:

 -       Complimentary High Speed Internet and Wireless Connectivity availability

-       A bright living room and generous work area

-       A large bedroom with a private bath and separate dressing area

-       An entertainment wet bar featuring a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker

-       Complimentary gourmet teas and coffee

-       Two private phone lines

-       In suite movies and games available for a nominal fee

-       24 hour access to our Business Centre including complimentary Wi Fi

-       Complimentary boarding pass kiosk in the lobby

-       Complimentary local calls, long distance access and credit card call acceptance are complimentary

-       Complimentary shoe shine

Please note that the hotel’s check in time is 4:00 pm and check out time is 1:00 pm.  For those guests who plan to arrive before or depart after the designated times, advance notice is required.  All early arrivals and late departures are subject to availability and additional charges apply.

7:00 pm – Our infamous kickoff party at The Balmy Beach Club includes: Traditionary Hawaiian ceremony, introduction of Surfers Healing crew from Hawaii and California, Silent Auction, Giveaways and sponsorship acknowledgement presentation.

Dress code: Wear ‘white’

Saturday August 24, 2013 (subject to change)

10:00am - World Paddle Association (WPA) check in opens

10:30am – Traditional Hawaiian ceremony led by Izzy Paskowitz and Surfers Healing crew followed by ribbon cutting ceremony

10:30am – 8:00pm – Entertainment stage (DJ)

11:00am – WPA SUP competition alarm/start

Noon – SUP Awards

Noon – Check in for Surfers Healing | Concert Stage Entertainment begins

4:30pm – Izzy Paskowitz book signing

8:00pm – Concert stage entertainment ends

Sunday August 25, 2013 (subject to change)

10:30am – Entertainment stage (DJ)

11:00am – Concert Stage Entertainment begins

Noon – Check in begins for Surfers Healing

Noon – Celebrity SUP challenge

12:30pm – 5:30pm -Surfers Healing Camp

8:00pm – Concert stage entertainment ends