Family fun for a good cause

With one promoting autism awareness and the other awareness against sexual abuse, two nonprofit organizations came together for families and community members in Garapan and Capital Hill last Saturday morning and afternoon for a day of fun activities.

The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence held their S.A.F.E Jamboree last Saturday at the Capital Hill Softball field and saw many community members not only joining in the activities but also learning more about the services of CNMI organizations that can help or support those who have been victims or know a victim, further spreading awareness against sexual violence.

With live music, and cultural and dance performances, the jamboree started at 11am, and continued for a good five hours until 4pm. Many families could be seen enjoying the event’s activities, games, and food. Raffle drawings were also held and prizes given to participants. Many community members also left the event grounds with a free #SAAM2023 T-shirt.

The event was part of the many ways the NMCADSV and partnering organizations are advocating against sexual abuse, especially this month, since it is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Their theme this year is “Support all Survivors. End Victim Blaming!”

Just a couple of miles down from the NMCADSV event, at Micro Beach, Center Field in Garapan, the CNMI Family 2 Family Unique Pieces in Different Colors partnered with the Autism Society of the CNMI to host the Autism Awareness Family Fun Day, which was open to the public as well. The event lasted from 3pm to 6pm.

The F2F Unique Pieces and Autism Society of the CNMI organizations spearheaded the event, but several organizations, including some from the Disability Network Partners, also participated, such as the Department of Youth Services, the Center for Living Independently, Early Head Start Program, and the Northern Marianas College’s SOE SP23. Their booths did not only have information but also had activities and games for kids to participate in. The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. also brought their mobile clinic to the event, and the Department of Fire & Emergency Medical Services brought a firetruck and firefighters.

“We’re excited to have a lot of the community members coming out. …We want to…promote autism awareness and ensure that no one feels that they are alone. We want all families to know that there is a big community that is supporting the cause…,” said Autism Society of the CNMI president Clarice DLG Arriola.

F2F Unique Pieces’ Autism support group president April Lisua, vice president Chimako Namauleg, and family support specialist Chrislaine Manibusan, who are also parents of children with autism, shared that the F2F program for kids under the spectrum wasn’t just for the benefit of the kids, but is mainly focused on supporting the families of these gifted children.

“I was one of those parents that didn’t know about support groups and I didn’t even know that I needed it, so coming into this support group I feel more relaxed.” Lisua said.

“We can totally relate in many ways, with the growth of our children, the milestones that they need, and just sharing experiences and growing from there. So I’m very grateful for this support group and the families that are in it,” said Manibusan.

Manibusan also shared that F2F’s services aren’t just limited to autism, but also to families of children with special needs. “We serve families who have children with any special healthcare needs, or any special condition that is not typical for a child. We have support groups and one of the support groups is for the families who have children with autism.”

Lisua, Namauleg, and Manibusan encourage members of the community, whether they have an autistic child or know someone who does and needs a support group, to join the organization.

“You are definitely not alone. There are families who share very similar happiness and challenges, but there are support groups that are here for you. Just like us in the beginning, we didn’t know there were support groups and when we found out we didn’t even realize we needed something like this and just realize that there are families that are there to support us, because they understand.

They live a similar life too…” said Manibusan.

For more information on the program, the F2F Unique Pieces headquarters are located on the fifth floor of the Marianas Business Plaza, or check them out on Facebook @UniquePiecesCNMI.

For more information on Sexual Violence Awareness, call NMCADSV at 670-234-3878, or email info@endviolencenmi.org. You can also follow them on their socials @EndViolenceNMI.