Our on-going collaboration with Dutton Farm in Rochester, Michigan is heartwarming and tremendously fun! Lisa has coordinated 5th grade field trips to the farm to educate and introduce the children to Dutton's special farmers. Lisa has also served as Curriculum Director for the Skill Building Program at Dutton Farm. We have several pieces of art in the LJFC gallery painted by Dutton Farm artists. Dutton Farm soaps are used in our homes and LJFC offices. We love Dutton Farm! Click on the green button to be linked to their website.
LJ Friedrich Consultants has had the opportunity to collaborate with Rochester Community Schools in Rochester, Michigan on a special task force for the 2017 Authors in April program. One of the feature authors, Cynthia Lord, has written a fantastic fiction book for elementary school children entitled RULES. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl who has an autistic brother. Our special task force worked diligently to open up the world of special needs to all of the district elementary school children through communication boards, writing contests, art projects, and field trips. I was delighted to facilitate field trips and co-administrate a Facebook page for the community to share in the experiences. Click on the green button to be linked to their website.
Fleece & Thank You is an amazingly creative and compassionate non-profit organization that makes and delivers fleece blankets to sick children in the hospital. LJ Friedrich Consultants raised enough funds to make eight (8) blankets during one of our Women's Social Nights. A team from Fleece & Thank You came to our event, taught us to make the blankets, assisted with every snip and tie, then video taped our individual messages for the children about to receive the blankets Fleece & Thank You staff would deliver. The experience was fun and powerful. Click on the green button to be linked to their website.
The collaboration with Extraordinary Ventures Michigan (EVM) began years ago when Lisa was the original researcher and then Director of the venture. At that time the facilities were at Oakland University in the Incubator on campus. Since then the new Director, Don Reid (former Detroit Piston basketball player) has built the business and found its home at the Legacy Center in Oxford, Michigan. Their mission is to employ adults with autism and differing abilities. They produce microgreens, make a large selection of fidgits, do laundry for McLaren hospitals, and provide custodial work in the Legacy Center. Great job, EVM!
Weighted products have been of use for autistic people for many years. I remember as Director (five years ago) of a peer transition group for autistic students in university, that handmade heavy blankets often comforted our group members while under academic stress. As a Mom, I purchased a heavy blue weighted vest for my son in his middle school years. CapeAble Sensory Products has taken all of these tools to a whole new level. Their creations are of the highest quality fabrics, impeccable construction, and are scientifically designed for just the right amount of weight as to release those relaxing feelings. While not exclusively for autistic people at all, the benefits for LJFC members are tremendous! Can you imagine how a wearable weighted shawl, a soft weighted scarf, or a warm weighted lap pad can comfort and help focus. We hope to distribute CapeAble products at our YOU Fit Center soon.
