Press Release: The Autism Program debuts airport accessibility initiative.

Support local & autism-related projects during the month of April

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Help Hope and The Autism Program of Illinois earn a $25,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project during the month of May. Visit for upcoming details as we roll out our "Get out the Vote" strategy.

April is Autism Awareness Month and to demonstrate our support of our local community and other national organizations providing services to those with an ASD, we have compiled a listing of several organizations that need your support by voting for their project in the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Local Organizations:

Bleachers for Bruins - Blessed Sacrament School
http://www.refresheverything.com/bleachersforbss

AMBUCS - Give 100 children with disabilities therapeutic tricycles. (AMBUCS has been a strong supporter of The Hope Institute)
http://www.refresheverything.com/amtrykesforchildren

Honor Flight - Helping send WWII Veterans to Washington
http://www.refresheverything.com/illandoflincolnhonorflight


Ben-Gil Elementary Boosters - Help rebuild our elementary school condemned due to mine subsidence.
http://www.refresheverything.com/bengilelementary



ASD Related Projects

Autism Center of Toledo - Provide Free Early Intervention to Children with Autism
http://www.refresheverything.com/bengilelementary

Kardon Institute for Arts Therapy - Dance & Art Therapy for children with Autism
http://www.refresheverything.com/kardon

The SMART Foundation - Produce the Concert 4 Autism and stream it worldwide
http://www.refresheverything.com/concertforautism

KEEN USA - Help kids with disabilities play with volunteers
http://www.refresheverything.com/keenusa

S.M.I.L.E Autism Services - Comprehensive, Cutting-Edge, Family-Based Autism Therapy Center
http://www.refresheverything.com/smileautismservices


You can vote for each of these great projects once per day at http://www.refresheverything.com/ and please visit us often for information on our "Get out the Vote" effort in May.

'Triple Your Gift' Challenge

February 10th through March 26...

Your donations will three times the impact upon the children served by The Hope Institute!

A generous supporter has challenged The Hope Institute to raise as much money as possible over the next 45 days in an effort to increase awareness and support for our organization. As a result, for every $1 that you donate to the children of Hope, this supporter will match on a 2-to-1 basis.

That means every gift will instantly triple! A gift of $5 will be matched with $10 to become $15. A gift of $10 will become $30. A gift of $15 will become $45.

Just think of the impact your gift to The Hope Institute could make if it were tripled…

Your support of The Hope Institute is one of the most rewarding investments you’ll ever make. It’s an investment in the promising futures of 26,000 children statewide that Hope impacts each year.

Click below to make a single Gift of Hope

Become an Angel of Hope - Establish a monthly gift to Hope below

Place Amount of Donation: $

Donations may also be sent to:
The Hope Institute for Children and Families, 15 East Hazel Dell Lane, Springfield, Illinois 62712.
Thank you for your support of the children of The Hope Institute!

Press Release: The Hope Institute chosen as select charity for the Chicago premiere of "Billy Elliot the Musical"

The Hope Institute for Children and Families and The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) endorse HBO Films’ “Temple Grandin”

A conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin

HBO and The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) recently held the Chicago premiere of the new HBO Films production, "Temple Grandin", which depicts the life of animal scientist and autism icon Temple Grandin. During the premiere, the TAP film crew had this conversation with Dr. Grandin.

HBO & The Autism Program of Illinois present Temple Grandin

Pictures from our exciting premiere of Temple Grandin.

Media Advisory: HBO, The Autism Program of Illinois partner for Chicago Premiere of HBO Film's "Temple Grandin"

Temple Grandin to attend HBO world premiere in Chicago.

HBO and The Autism Program of Illinois confirmed yesterday that renowned author, scientist and autism advocate Temple Grandin, will attend the world premiere of HBO Film’s biopic, Temple Grandin, in Chicago next week. The January 27th premiere event will take place at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. The premiere event takes place prior to the February 6th release of HBO’s Temple Grandin. For more information about the Chicago Premiere visit http://www.thehopeinstitute.us/ or The Autism Program of Illinois fan page on Facebook.

HBO Releases new Temple Grandin Trailer

Introducing the latest trailers for HBO Film's Temple Grandin. To learn how you can attend the world premiere on January 27th at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, visit The Hope Institute website or our facebook page.

Trailer

Temple Grandin book signing at Chicago Library

Temple Grandin


When: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 @ 6:00 p.m.

Temple Grandin, bestselling autism advocate, scientist and author of Animals in Translation and Thinking in Pictures,  discusses and signs her new book, Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals.

Animals Make Us Human focuses upon Grandin's insights into how animals think, act and feel. Grandin builds upon her experiences with autism and as a distinguished animal science to show us how animals and humans can best interact and how we can give our animals the best and happiest life. 

Where:
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60605

312-747-1194

Admission: Free

On January 27th, The Autism Program of Illinois and HBO Film's will present the world premiere of the HBO Film, Temple Grandin.  For more information on this extraordinary biopic please visit: The Hope Institute website or our facebook page.

Temple Grandin Trailers

Introducing the latest trailers for HBO Film's Temple Grandin.  To learn how you can attend the world premiere on January 27th at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, visit The Hope Institute website or our facebook page.

The Autism Program partners with HBO for premiere of HBO Film's Temple Grandin

The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) has partnered with HBO on the Chicago premiere of the new HBO Films’ production, “Temple Grandin”, which brings to the screen the story of the best-selling author, animal scientist and autism advocate.

The Chicago Premiere will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The event, which is being specially targeted to the autism community in Illinois, will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a screening of the film at 7:00 p.m. Following the film, a panel comprised of persons with autism, family members, noted researchers and a media representative will discuss the film.

Starring Golden Globe winner Claire Danes in the title role, “Temple Grandin” paints a picture of a young woman’s perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism at a time when the disorder was quite unknown.

Click Here to learn more about the movie, Temple Grandin and to win 2 tickets to the Chicago Premiere!