A DAY AT ANGEL STADIUM THANKS TO THE ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH SPORTS FOUNDATION AND THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM August 2018

For most children and the board of directors of the families, a Major League Orange County Youth Sports Baseball game is an Foundation. event to look forward to, but for children Each child received free entry with autism spectrum to the game, an Angel’s hat disorder or other and food vouchers to enjoy a neurodevelopmental box of Cracker Jack popcorn disorders, certain or a hotdog. For some, it was circumstances can make their first baseball game. a day at the ballpark challenging. The “Community outings are a many fans, the roar of great opportunity for our the crowd, and loud patients to practice the music might trigger a social skills they are being meltdown that is difficult taught,” said Catherine to control. Brock, director of The Center for Autism and Thanks to the generous Neurodevelopmental support of the Orange Disorders. “Over the past County Youth Sports four months, we have been Foundation (OCYSF) teaching them how to order and the Los Angeles their own food, keep track Angels of Anaheim, of their money, stay with The Center for Autism’s the group, and engage in Behavior Intervention conversations with peers. It ABA team took over 40 was really rewarding to see children and parents to an Angels’ game in July and again, their progress and the fun they had throughout the day.” in August. Being at the ballpark accompanied by familiar and friendly peers, The Center staff and family made for an One parent said thanks to The Center, OCYSF and the enjoyable day for all. Angels, her 14-year-old went to his first Angels’ game and tried caramel corn. OCYSF helps children overcome personal obstacles, whether emotional, physical or financial, to improve their “To most people, this might not be a big deal at all -- for lives, realize their dreams and achieve their goals through us, it’s huge,” the parent said. “Our family isn’t able to do participation in athletic activities and attendance at major things together, which brings me so much isolation. Trying sporting events. new things is the beginning to more independence.”

“We’re trying to make a positive impact on children by So, thank you OCYSF and the Angels for your generous providing athletic opportunities and experiences they might support of our mission to provide and help and hope to not otherwise have,” said Bob Callahan, who serves on families affected by ASD!