The Autism Society of North Carolina Support Groups (formerly Chapters) promote and extend the mission, vision, and values of the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC). They are the “front porch” of our organization in communities across the state.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
For up-to-date information on all Support Group activities and events, visit our calendar.
Use this link to add yourself to the Support Groups Contact List so you don’t miss any Support Group news!
Every quarter we want to shine a light on volunteer Leaders making a difference in their hometowns.
From the Raleigh Area
Durham Support Group: The Durham Support Group planned a Scavenger Hunt/Hike for their November Meet-Up at the beautiful Duke Gardens in Durham. The leader, Alicia Brown, made a visual of what items could be found along the way and planned this event before Thanksgiving to give families some outdoor time and relaxation. They had a great turnout! Kids had a task to focus on while walking and parents could chat with each other casually during the hike. Thank you to Alicia for such a unique id Fall! Outdoor events are always a hit around this time of year!
Orange Chatham Support Group: The Orange Chatham Support Group, hosted by a leadership team of six parents, decided this year to volunteer at Camp Royall’s Trunk or Treat Event. They offered something that has never been done there—a cookie decorating booth! It became one of the most popular attractions and they served nearly 100 people! This is such a wonderful example of how Support Groups can support and help out at ASNC events. Thank you to the Orange Chatham Support Group for this fun and creative idea!
From the Greenville Area
Halifax County: We would like to highlight Jennifer Clapton’s longevity as she comes up on 10 years as a Support Group Leader for the Roanoke Rapids area. Every school year, Jennifer organizes monthly meetings for local parents and families. Most meetings are informal gatherings for parents to support one another, but over the years she has also scheduled events such as photo sessions for members with autism, parents’ night out, and most recently, a therapy dog Meet and Greet.
From the Asheville Area
Haywood Support Group: Co-Leaders Tenisea Higgins and Nora Doggett have offered a Sensory-Friendly Santa event annually. This year, they had such a large response from families wanting to attend, they ended up adding an extra date! Many families have shared that following such tragedy caused by Hurricane Helene, kids, teens, and adults alike were eager for normalcy and events that bring joy. They served close to 200 people during their three events, offering a visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, cookies and hot cocoa snack. Families also got their pictures taken and sent to them. Thank you to the Haywood Support Group Co-Leaders, volunteers, and Pinnacle Church for providing this cheer to a community who so desperately needed it this year.
Jackson Swain Qualla Boundary Support Group: Co–Leaders Candy Ross and Amanda Bradley are continually bringing autism awareness and acceptance to their local Cherokee culture. Their Support Group is being asked to be present at local events to continue getting the word out to families about their group. Throughout October, they reached over 2,000 people when they helped to sponsor a local Halloween party for the special needs community and hosted their own Support Group table to offer Halloween fun and hand-outs to those attending the event. Shout out to these Leaders for becoming so well known in their communities and getting the word out about their Support Group!
Welcome New Leaders
We want to welcome our newest Support Group Leaders:
Pamlico: Ashley Sieber lives in Pamlico County with her husband and two boys. After attending several events with the nearby Craven County Support Group, Ashley decided to start up her own group in her home county of Pamlico. She is excited to begin bringing together families in her local community.
Pender: Jesaya Hargrove has been a member of the Pender County Support Group for a couple of years and recently decided to take on a leadership role. She is a proud mom to her five-year-old son. She hopes to continue the group’s monthly meetings and plan some other community events.
Yadkin: Eunice Kimbrell is our new Co-Leader for the Yadkin County Support Group. The hard-working mom of an autistic son and a newlywed, she is partnering with Beth Jones to bring support and activities to the Yadkin community.
Community Partner Spotlight
Under the Oak Catering | Landon Estate
Blake Gotliffe, founder/CEO of both Under the Oak Catering and Landon Estates (new wedding venue in Clayton) has a beautiful vision to become an inclusive employer. His six-year-old son, Landon, was born with a rare syndrome and has an autism diagnosis as well. Blake and his wife Megan are hoping to build opportunity and acceptance for the special needs community in the Johnston County area. The Gotliffes bought a property last year and have transformed it into a luxury wedding venue, naming it after their sweet boy Landon. Blake is excited to donate Landon Estates as a space for Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) events and they plan to donate a percentage of yearly proceeds to ASNC. They are also involved with ASNC’s fundraiser Catwalk to Camp, and love supporting Camp Royall. ASNC Support Groups are sure lucky to be in touch with this lovely family!
Support Group Volunteer Interest Meetings
- Are you interested in starting an ASNC Support Group or volunteering as a meet-up host? Upcoming meetings can be found on our calendar. Sign up today!
Leader Vacancies
Join our team! We are currently seeking volunteer Leaders in the following counties:
- Cabarrus County
- Davidson County
- Union County
Email Virginia “Ginny” Hall for more information.
- Carteret County
- Edgecombe County
- Inner Banks (Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden)
- Nash County
Email Lauren Buhrmaster for more information.
- Lee County
- Moore County
- Richmond County
Email Amy Vanwyk for more information.
- Guilford County
Email Meleah Lowe for more information.
- Henderson County
Email Meleah Lowe for more information.
To learn more about helping us to start a Support Group near you or volunteering with an existing group, contact Marty Kellogg at mkellogg@autismsociety-nc.org or fill out this form.
We are growing!
Liesa Hawks is joining Support Groups staff to assist the Surry County Support Group. Liesa and her husband have volunteered with the group for many years. They have two children, five grandchildren (one of whom has autism), five dogs and one cat. Welcome, Liesa!
Tawanda Eley is also joining us to support outreach for the Raleigh area. We featured Tawanda, her sons, and their support in Alamance County in our blog earlier this fall. Welcome, Tawanda!
English Speaking Support Groups
Asheville area (formerly West): supports Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson/ Swain/ Qualla Boundary, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey.
Catawba Valley area (formerly Unifour): supports Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell.
Charlotte area: supports Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union.
Fayetteville area (formerly South Central): supports Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland.
Greensboro area (formerly Triad): supports Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie/Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin.
Greenville area (formerly Central East and Northeast): supports Beaufort, Bertie, Carteret, Craven, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne, Wilson.
Northeastern area: supports Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Washington, Tyrrell.
Raleigh area (formerly Triangle): supports Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren.
Wilmington area (formerly Southeast): supports Bladen/Columbus, Brunswick, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Sampson
Contact us
Courtney Chavis, Support Groups Director (State Office)
Email: cchavis@autismsociety-nc.org
Marty Kellogg, Support Groups Coordinator (State Office)
Email: mkellogg@autismsociety-nc.org
Call: 1-800-442-2762