Latest news from The Ernie Els Centre for Autism, providing lower resourced families of children on the autism spectrum with free access to effective education for their child via e-learning programs.
1. Ernie and Liezl attend #GameON clinic at Glendower Golf Club
The Ernie Els Centre for Autism was fortunate to be invited back to host our second #GameOn Clinic at Glendower Golf Club (pictured above) during the 104th South African Open last month. The excitement was heightened by the additional presence of two important guests – none other than Ernie and Liezl Els. “Thank you to everyone who participated and made this the truly remarkable day that it was,” said Shani Zuk, the newly appointed Centre Manager of The Ernie Els Centre for Autism.
“My schedule doesn’t always allow me to attend these clinics,” commented Ernie, fresh from shooting a first round 67 in the South African Open, “so it’s a pleasure for me seeing the feedback from the kids and the smiles on their faces. Being active in golf and having fun; that’s what the #GameON autism clinics are all about and that’s why we’re so excited to have been able to launch them here in South Africa. Actually, Glendower very generously hosted the first ever clinic back in November, so we thank them for their continued support. Thanks also to my old friend, and former Tour pro, Gavan Levenson and his team for providing the coaching duties on the day.”
2. Liezl Els invites European Tour players’ wives to The Ernie Els Centre for Autism
Our co-founder, Liezl Els, was very gracious to host a small contingent of European Tour players’ wives at The Ernie Els Centre for Autism. The purpose of the visit was to share more about the challenges that autism presents to our families, as well as letting them know about the great work being done by our committed team. “Hearing the Els family’s story first-hand allowed all of us to feel grateful for the establishment of the Centre,” commented Shani Zuk, “as well as filling us all with hope for what we can continue to achieve at the Centre in the years to come.”
This was followed by a visit by the Program Director for Els for Autism, Dr Marlene Sotelo. We felt blessed to have Marlene spend time here and observe several of our families at the Centre, assisting us in our aim to provide the best possible guidance for each family, and for the Centre as a whole. These combined visits refuelled our motivation to continually add to our type of support provided to our families and to the South African public as a whole. “We thus have some exciting new ideas coming in 2015, so watch this space,” said Shani Zuk.
3. The inaugural ‘Autism Speakers Tour’ successfully completed
The Els for Autism Speakers Tour reached over 300 parents, professionals and other community members throughout the three seminars taking place at the Hilton Hotel properties in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, respectively. Els for Autism were privileged to have three world-class speakers at each event, anchored by Dr Marlene Sotelo, Program Director at Els for Autism. Our other key speaker was Professor Petrus de Vries from the University of Cape Town, whose incredible insights from his many decades of experience in the field were extremely powerful. They were enhanced by introducing a third speaker in each region who added some on-the-ground localised advice on the services currently available to families and practitioners in that area. These speakers were Tam Bennet (Durban), Professor Lorna Jacklin (Johannesburg), and Dr Nerica Ramsundhar (Cape Town).
Thank you to the Hilton Hotel Group for their generous support and contributions to making this dream a reality. Beyond the knowledge and ideas shared, a resounding sense of eagerness to work together was evident in the united goal of creating a more connected autism support network throughout South Africa.
4. Operating hours extended at The Ernie Els Centre for Autism
As of September 2014, The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in Johannesburg extended the working hours to include one Saturday a month, to assist families on their program who are not able to find time in the working week. “It is our hope that by doing so it will make life easier for many families in the future,” commented Centre Manager Shani Zuk.
The Centre understands the difficulties some families and parents face when it comes to extremely busy schedules and not being able to attend the Centre during the week and, therefore, the Centre has extended their working hours, offering some 7am slots, to better accommodate working care-givers.
Furthermore, this year we will be collaborating with Autism South Africa and the Johannesburg Hospital School in hosting a family support group every quarter. This will consist of a sibling group, simultaneous parent support group and a group for our kids to stay busy while these groups run. Having done our first STARS (Siblings That Are Really Special) group in 2014, it is our hope that more families in the community get to experience all the fun and support of these wonderful events.
5. About The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in South Africa
The Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by Ernie and Liezl Els to focus on the issue of autism. The Els’ son Ben is severely touched by the disorder, which in the U.S affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys. For the last six years Ernie and Liezl have devoted their efforts to a catalytic philanthropic project, The Els Center of Excellence, which broke ground in Florida in March 2014. This first-of-its-kind Center will focus on a digital e-learning platform that gives children on the spectrum around the world access to best practices in education and therapy. It will also help connect the international autism community with best practices and the very latest information and research.
South Africa currently boasts the first international link to the Center of Excellence. Located in Johannesburg, The Ernie Els Centre for Autism provides lower resourced families of children on the spectrum with FREE access to effective education for their child via e-learning programs.
