Step Up for Autism

04/14/2025

Congratulations to The GRACE Foundation of New York for setting a world record on World Autism Day!

With a Guinness World Records adjudicator on hand, an organization that provides services for individuals with autism sought to do something for the very first time, all in the name of awareness.

04/02/2025

Today is World Autism Day. We invite you to join us and The Resource Center in recognizing all of the amazing people on the spectrum; celebrating their unique talents, abilities and achievements; and supporting them to reach their potential as valued members of their communities.

11/27/2024

With a lake-effect snow warning in the forecast, Friday may be a good day to stay indoors and watch the "Carl the Collector" marathon on WNED PBS.

10/31/2024

Since it’s Halloween, we wanted to share this photo showing the awesome treat we received from Dory Smith Matwijkow. Dory came to Jamestown to present Victoria Trass Bardo, left, and Cindy Hitchcock, right, of Filling the Gap with a check for $7,130. This represents the proceeds from Dory’s fifth annual Step Up for Autism event that took place this month at Beaver Island State Park.

We thank Dory and her family, friends and other supporters for their generosity in making her Step Up for Autism walk a success. We're extremely grateful for this wonderful support!

10/09/2024

What a great day we had Saturday for the fifth annual Step Up for Autism walk organized by Dory Smith Matwijkow! With support from family and friends, Dory holds this walk each fall at Beaver Island State Park in honor of her son Austin, who is on the spectrum. Besides the walk, Dory had a bake sale and a basket raffle that featured 80+ donated items. The event raised more than $7,000 to support the services The Resource Center provides to people on the spectrum. And it showcased the generous, caring sprit of Dory and her family, friends and neighbors. THANK YOU, Dory, and the rest of "Austin's Angels." We are so appreciative of what you do! ❤️

10/02/2024

We’re getting excited for our friend Dory Smith Matwijkow's fifth annual Step Up for Autism walk this Saturday! Dory’s son Austin is on the spectrum and lives in a home operated by The Resource Center, so she holds this event each year to raise money for us. The weather’s looking great for Saturday, so if you’re in the area please join us at Beaver Island State Park at 11:00 for Dory’s event (in the far pavilion by the boardwalk on the river). There also will be a great basket raffle and a delicious bake sale (Dory’s a professional chef!). If you can’t make it but would like to show support for Dory’s efforts by making a donation, visit https://fillingthegap.net/2024/08/29/dory-matwijkows-step-up-for-autism-event-takes-place-october-5/.

09/25/2024

Check out some of the great items that will be won tonight in our Basket Raffle and Sweets Auction, which are part of The Resource Center's annual Sprout Film Festival.

Everything takes place inside the Reg Lenna Center For The Arts. Doors open at 6:00 for people to take their chances on winning something in the Basket Raffle and Sweets Auction. We thank everyone who donated an item!

The FREE film festival starts at 7:00 and features 11 short moves about people with disabilities. The films are guaranteed to inspire. The weather’s a little gloomy, so it’s a great time to take in a film festival!

We thank these sponsors for making tonight possible: Filling the Gap, Inc.;Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union; Brown & Brown Insurance; and UPMC Chautauqua.

05/16/2024

Wanted to remind everyone about our chicken BBQ fund-raiser tomorrow at 18 Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown (near our Michael J. Raymond Center).

The bad news – the kettle corn bus can’t make it.
The good news – there still will be chicken dinners!

We start serving at 11:00 and are scheduled to go until 3:00, unless we sell out before then. Arrive early so you don't miss out!

04/26/2024

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend our chicken BBQ fund-raiser Friday, May 17, in Jamestown. There will be a limited number of meals, so buy yours now to make sure you get one. Tickets available at The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue; the Felice Corporate Center, 92 Fairmount Avenue; or online at https://fillingthegap.net/events/sprout-film-festival-steps-up-for-autism/chicken-bbq-fundraiser/. Proceeds will support this year's Step Up for Autism event, which takes place Sept. 25.

04/24/2024

A mom was worried about what her son, who has autism, would do after high school. So she opened the So Much To Give cafe, a restaurant in Cedars, Pennsylvania, that employs people with disabilities – and helps them grow.

04/04/2024

Get your eclipse shirts and souvenirs at CHQ Plus - Discover the Difference store in down Jamestown! New items have just arrived. The store will be open every day this weekend. Your purchase supports local business owners and people with disabilities.

04/03/2024

Only 13 days until our Blingo event! Tickets are just $20 and are available at https://fillingthegap.net/events/sassy-baggs-blingo/. You can also get tickets at The Resource Center (200 Dunham Avenue) or Filling the Gap (92 Fairmount Avenue).

This fun event raises money for our Mark Pacheco WOW (Working on Wonders) Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The WOW Fund enables people with developmental disabilities to enjoy experiences such as vacations, concerts and sporting events.