Thank You Boca Raton Observer!

Thank you to the Boca Raton Observer magazine for featuring our Emerald Ball coverage in the September 2015 issue!!

Happy New Year's Eve!

2014 was a year full of memories and milestones for Unicorn as we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

2015 is going to be even bigger and better!

Join us on January 15, 2015 for a Community Conversation on Special Needs and Disability, and on February 28, 2015 for Emerald Ball. For more information, visit http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/events

Thank you to all of our supporters who have made Unicorn Children's Foundation what it is today. We can't wait for all of you to continue with us on our journey in 2015...

There is Still Time to Make a Difference

We're hoping you'll help us start our 20th year off right by making a year end tax-deductible donation!

Unicorn Children's Foundation envisions a world where all people, regardless of their neurological differences, can be fully engaged members of society who are given the opportunity to...

- Obtain and sustain employment,
- Pursue continued academic endeavors,
- Enjoy social/recreational activities, and
- Live independently in communities of their own choosing.

Your gift will help us to continue our mission to provide leadership, education, and funding to ensure the success and inclusion of individuals with neurodiversity in everyday routines, activities, and places.

Donate Now

20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique Photos Online

https://plus.google.com/photos/114447671366269128560/albums/6093895155897018337

Thank You for Supporting Our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique

Thank you to everyone who helped make our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique yesterday afternoon at Mar-A-Lago such a success! To our Chairperson, Angela Fisher, you are incredible. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. Thank you to our Mistress of Ceremonies, Erin Guy WPBF for your time and generosity. We would also like to thank our Opera Singers, Carlos De Antonis and Kristen DiNonno Noffsinger and pianist Sergio Salani for their enormous talents. To our sponsors and supporters, we couldn't do it without you!! Thank you for making a difference.

LAST CALL FOR LUNCHEON TICKETS!

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Last Day to Submit Program Ads

Today is the LAST DAY to submit your Screen Ads for our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique!

Let our Honorees know how much you admire their hard work and dedication to Unicorn over the past 20 years.

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

What is ‪#‎GivingTuesday‬?

A day TUE give!

Help Us Raise Our Goal of $20,000

In honor of our 20th Anniversary, your donation of $20 or more will help us provide leadership, education, and funding to ensure the success and inclusion of individuals with neurodiversity in everyday routines, activities and places.

Donate Now

Your Support Makes a Difference:

To date, we have awarded in excess of $3,100,000 to support various initiatives around the world, including:

$1,000,000 Endowment to the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies at Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to promote research on best practice interventions for clinicians, educators, and parents.

$1,000,000 in grants for research and education at universities and organizations:

• York University, Toronto, Canada
• Angels Reach Developmental Enrichment Centers, Hialeah, Florida
• University of Maryland
• Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
• Ann Stork Center of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Florida State University
• B'Nai Torah, Boca Raton, Florida
• Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida
• Commission Scolaire English-Montreal, Montreal, Canada
• University of Miami, Miami, Florida
• Dimensions Therapy Center, Davie, Florida
• Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
• Florida Federation CJA, Montreal, Canada
• Amapei, Monaco
• Mission Enfance, Monaco
• Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders, Washington, D.C.
• Peter Blum Family YMCA, Boca Raton, Florida
• Sulam, Jerusalem, Israel
• Miriam Foundation, Montreal, Canada

Over $800,000 to fund the development and construction of Unicorn Village Academy, an innovative high school where youth who think, communicate and learn differently can develop life-long personal, social, and career skills based on their own strengths, interests, and preferences. This safe, non-threatening, and supportive learning environment will provide students with an opportunity to prepare them to live independently, obtain and sustain employment, pursue continued academic endeavors and participate in the communities in which they live.

Over $200,000 to fund Unicorn Children's Foundation Mobile Community Developmental Clinics that promote awareness of the early warning signs of developmental, communication, and learning disorders by providing developmental screenings and parent consultations at no charge to families, especially those in traditionally undeserved areas. Currently these clinics are operated in partnership with University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University.

Over $50,000 to fund 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Special Needs Hotline, the first call for help, connecting families with available resources and service organizations in the community.

Nearly $25,000 in grants to community organizations to promote awareness and education as well as provide opportunities to participate in community activities.

Initiatives:

Collaborative Community Needs Assessment and Build Data Warehouse - capture data on the “state of special needs” in the community and streamline data sharing data amongst organizations

Social Capital Conference – introduce the concept of interdependence to the South Florida community

211 Special Needs Hotline – the first call for help, connecting families with available resources and service providers in the community

Training - develop a series of online pediatric trainings to educate on the importance of early screening and resources for referral

Fund innovative and emerging programs 

• Unicorn Village Academy
• Mobile Developmental Clinics
• Mobile Phone Applications

Donate Now

Statistics 

• 20 percent of children who have older siblings with autism also develop autism spectrum disorder (2015)
• About 6 percent of U.S. children use stimulants, up from about 2.4 percent in 1996
• Approximately 1 in 25 US children is taking medication for ADHD (University of California, Berkeley, 2007)
• Use of drugs to treat ADHD has more than tripled worldwide since 1993 (University of California, Berkeley, 2007)
• 5% of US children aged 6-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD (Center for Disease Control, 2008)
• There has been a 3% average annual increase in childhood ADHD diagnoses from 1997 to 2006 ADHD (Center for Disease Control, 2008)
• Most recent statistics indicate that the percentage of children with learning and communication disorders has steadily increased over the past decade.  Specifically, a 31% increase for infants and toddlers and a 46% increase for preschool-aged children (U.S. Department of Education, 2005). 
• Approximately 17% of children have some type of developmental disability, including more mild conditions such as speech and language disorders, learning disabilities, and ADHD, which appear to be more common than the Autism Spectrum Disorders (www.cdc.gov)
• 1 in 150 children have an ASD (www.cdc.gov)
• 1/3 of youngsters diagnosed with autism are prescribed psychotropic drugs to control their symptoms. (upi.com, April 19, 2007)
• From 1993-2003, there was a 657% increase in autism cases nationwide according to the US Department of Education and a 435% increase in Florida
• 4 million children are born in the United States every year, approximately 24,000 of these children will eventually be diagnosed with an ASD. (www.cdc.gov)

Donate Now

WHAT IS #GIVINGTUESDAY?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.

Donate Now

Forget Black Friday Crowds!

Don't fight those Black Friday crowds today!

Join us at our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique on December 11th at Mar-A-Lago for the BEST deals and AWESOME gifts you won't find by standing in long lines at 3am!

How about SOLD OUT tickets to see the Book of Mormon at the Kravis Center from the Orchestra, Center?

What about a 2 night stay for 2 at Mar-A-Lago?

Find these items and much more in our Silent Auction.

Purchase your tickets here: http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Shop with our Vendors for the Holidays!

Black Friday is approaching, and perhaps you're planning your list of stores with the best deals.

Shop at our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique at Mar-A-Lago on December 11th instead!

We've got amazing vendors including: 
Bonnie's Loft – Handbags
David Hsu Collections - Pearl Jewelry
Dena Lyons - Scarves / Pillows
Eileen Kramer – Leather Tops
Elegant Child – Children's Clothing
Gregory's Fine Jewelry – Jewelry
Jodi Rose Originals – Cashmere Scarves
Lifestyles of Lynn – Home Accessories
Melina Drohan – Jewelry
Michelle Farmer – Women's Clothing
Milli Hershman – Jewelry
New Spirit Farm – Equine Kids Items
The Present Situation – Gifts
Shop DNA – Men's / Women's Clothing
Sparkle of Life – Jewelry
Unicorn Village Academy – Unique Glassware / Stationary
The Valeria Collection – Exotic Skin Handbags

Secure your tickets today:http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Thank You to Our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique Sponsors!

We are THANKFUL to our generous sponsors of our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique at Mar-A-Lago on December 11th!

A special thank you to Gregory Fried of Gregory's Fine Jewelry, our Vice-President of our Board of Directors and Jewelry Sponsor. Thank you for all of your support and for always stepping up with your incredible generosity!

Secure your tickets today: http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Great News!

The deadline for our Program Screen Ads has been EXTENDED until Wednesday, December 3, 2014.

Help show your support for our incredible honorees!

Visit http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

THIS DAY IN HISTORY...

Today is Unicorn Children's Foundation's 20th Anniversary!

Thank you to all of our supporters who have helped change the lives of individuals with neurodiversity over the past 20 years. We couldn't do it without you!

November 2014 Newsletter

The November 2014 Newsletter is Now Available!

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/1114newsletter/

Secure Your Tickets to our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique

Have you purchased your tickets for our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique at Mar-A-Lago on December 11, 2014?

We have vendors with unique items you won't find anywhere else, a silent auction including a foursome of golf at the exclusive Trump International Golf Club, and we are honoring The Rosenbloom Family and Past Gala Chairs.

We have many surprises in store, so secure your tickets today:
http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Deadline for Program Ads THIS Friday!

The deadline for Screen Ads for our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique is THIS Friday, November 21st.

Let our Honorees know how much you admire their hard work and dedication to Unicorn over the past 20 years.

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The stores are already "beginning to look a lot like Christmas."

Don't stress about finding the perfect holiday gift! Join us for our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique on December 11th at Mar-A-Lago to get your shopping done while giving back with our numerous vendors and a silent auction that will be sure to have something for everyone.

Purchase your tickets today:
http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Deadlines for Screen Ads 11/21

The deadline for Screen Ads for our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique is next Friday, November 21st. 

Let our Honorees know how much you admire their hard work and dedication to Unicorn over the past 20 years.

http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Help Us Honor The Rosenbloom Family and Past Gala Chairs

You're invited to join us on December 11, 2014 at Mar-A-Lago for our 20th Anniversary Luncheon & Boutique.

Help us honor The Rosenbloom Family and Past Gala Chairs for their dedication and support to Unicorn Children's Foundation over the past 20 years.

For more information, visit http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/luncheon/

Have you heard the Who's Who in Charity & The Arts?

It's Unicorn Children's Foundation, of course!

Check out our feature in Gold Coast's Fort Lauderdale Daily in their Guide to the 2014 - 2015 Season!