Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/147169
Foundation Improves the Lives of County's Autistic Children by ALEXANDRIA RAPPE Amy Sparks knew something just wasn't right with her son Jarred when other excitement. Sparks enjoys that it makes more and more people aware he was just two years old. He didn't have the vocabulary or language of a and they want to know about the organization. typical child at that age. And when he did speak, it was very spontaneous The next goal is to build a school in honor of Jarred. It is called The School and he would never repeat those words again. Jarred also of Hope, and the plan is for it to open the fall of 2016. had several temper tantrums, up to 10 to 15 times a day; "There is a need here. Our son would have been 21, and simple, everyday tasks, such as walking through a door, there is nothing here for children or adults for autism. The were complicated. Sparks had an inkling Jarred could have school is going to specialize in this area; it's about finding autism. "I tried to deny it, but we had to be fair to Jarred," out what makes these kids tick and about meeting their she said. The diagnosis was official soon after Sparks gave needs," Sparks said. The age range they are aiming for is birth to her third child, Dylan. "It was a hard diagnosis, very four years old to adult. heartbreaking and emotional." "Who says you can't learn at 35?" Sparks added. "We Sparks and her husband, Rob knew they had to do want these kids to feel accepted, secure and loved." something. Sparks's prayer was answered when she heard She truly wants to help the community. "There is no about the Lovaas Program that focuses on Dr. Ivar Lovaas' better way to help children who are affected by autism," research. The program involves 50 hours of one-on-one she said. "We have got to be prepared and help because intense therapy with the child every week, and greatly helped autism is not going away. It used to be 1 in 10,000 Inspired by their love for their son Jarred, children diagnosed, now it is 1 in 100 children. " the Sparks family. pictured above, the Sparks family is aim"This opportunity opened up doors and gave our son the Sparks's passion is reaching out to those in need. She ing to make a difference for families deal- advises families who are dealing with autism to never give appropriate education," she said. They were able to start the intense behavior modification in their own home when Jarred ing with autism. up hope and educate themselves about autism and to join was four years old. Through the therapy, he was able to reach support groups. valuable milestones. Jarred said "mama" for the first time at age five and told Everything the Sparks family does is for Jarred. "He was life changing. his mom he loved her for the first time when he was seven. Everything he touched was better and every person he knew became better; Jarred died on June 10, 2011. Though devastated, the Sparks family kept everybody who came in contact with loved him. He was meant to be autistic going and found ways to make a difference just like Jarred made a difference because I believe God had a plan and that plan was for Jarred — it was all for a in their lives. They founded the Jarred Sparks Foundation; it took them 15 greater plan. I wouldn't think of having anyone else. He helped me be a better months to get the nonprofit up and running. mom, better teacher and a better human being," Sparks said. "My number one drive is my son. I never want my son's memory to die and For more information including volunteering and I want to help other people with autism," said Sparks. making donations visit www. The foundation's goal is to "write grants, fundraise and do whatever is jarredbryansparksfoundation.org or ALEXANDRIA RAPPE Intern, COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomnecessary to fund the next phase." There have also been two Spring Festivals call 486-5445. Don't forget to like ingweekly.com. at Terry Sanford High School that have had games, face-painting, food and them on Facebook. Opening ReStore Helps Keep Community Clean by JEFF CASHWELL homes in struggling communities. In the United States alone, 48.5 million A Habitat For Humanity ReStore will launch in Fayetteville this October people live in poverty and could use the aid of this organization. 19. To aid in the opening efforts, the Stock the Restore campaign will begin Habitat for Humanity, is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that Aug. 10, and will run every Saturday thereafter until Oct. 5. The ReStore strives to provide safe and affordable housing to families. Houses built will mean great deals and a cleaner community for the Fayetteville area. Habitat for Humanity ReStores work as donation centers where people can under their ministry are completely nonprofit for the organization and are financed with affordable loans. The loans paid by the families are used to drop off excess building materials, furniture and appliances. Development build more Habitat houses locally and abroad. Their mission statement is: Manager Perry Olive stressed "It keeps items out of the landfill and off of "Seeking to put God's love into our streets." action, Habitat for Humanity brings With landfills running out people together to build homes, of room, utilizing the ReStore communities and hope." as an alternative to dumping Volunteers will be sought during supplies benefits individuals and Stock the Restore campaign. "We're the community. For larger loads, always looking for volunteers who Habitat for Humanity will also want to have fun," Olive said. personally pickup items from your Anyone interested in lending location. People can also bring a hand, call Olive at 977 5867. in their old electronic devices to be recycled, avoiding the landfill. Habitat for Humanity ReStore is set to open in October, but will begin taking donations beginning The event will help stock the store with materials ready to be sold at Computer hard drives will be Aug. 10. the ReStore's launch in October. shredded upon receiving the device All items at launch will be from donations. "We're looking for building to ensure all personal information is protected from theft. materials, furniture, appliances, plumbing supplies, flooring supplies and Excess garbage and building materials dumped in landfills are causing household goods," Olive said large problems nationwide. The decomposition of trash can take mere weeks If you find yourself faced with an overstock of building materials, for food items; however, objects such as plastic, wood, and metal can take refrain from dumping into local landfills and instead aid the decades or centuries to break down. These chemical processes create gas community in becoming more green. Whether it's half a bucket emissions and soil pollution for surrounding areas. Services like the ReStore of paint or an entire furniture set you no longer want, help help take some weight off of landfills and put gently used or overstock contribute to a good cause by material to good use. Once materials are donated to the ReStore, they are then sold to the public donating to our new local ReStore, JEFF CASHWELL, Intern. COMmany families in need will at a discounted price of 30 to 50 percent. All money made by the ReStore MENTS? Editor@upandcominthank you. will be used to benefit the Habitat for Humanity cause by building more gweekly.com. 16 UCW JULY 31 - AUGUST 6, 2013 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM