A gala was held last Friday at B Park in OCT, Nanshan District to mark the 20th anniversary of the Shenzhen Autism Society, a nonprofit organization that supports autistic kids and their families. Themed “Be There for You in Our Prime Years,” the event was co-organized by One Foundation, the B Park Culture and Commerce Co. Ltd., and the Kun For Kids public benefit project. Twelve parents started the Shenzhen Autism Society two decades ago, promising to devote the next 30 years to provide services for autistic people, in an effort to help their own children and others who are autistic. Starting with rehabilitation services for autistic children, the society has grown into a professional organization that serves more than 10,000 autistic children, 200 civilian agencies and 7,000 individuals working to care for autistic patients. The society has published surveys about autistic people in South China, organized seminars to come up with better ways to serve the group and raised public awareness about this disorder. Over the span of 20 years, the 12 founders were able to watch their autistic children overcome immense difficulties as they grew into young adults, some of whom have found jobs and are able to support themselves. The gala was to honor the efforts of those loving parents and draw more people to their cause. (Li Dan) | 