Acceptional Minds to host Community Fun Fest

For families that have members with autism, it can be difficult to find community events that are accessible, comfortable and sensory inclusive.
Acceptional Minds and Event Rentals by Kris will be co-hosting their second annual Community Fun Fest on Saturday, May 2.

The Community Fun Fest is specifically designed to give families an opportunity to come to an event that is inclusive, integrative and welcome to everyone.

“I think there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of damage to self esteem, a lot of stress for every family that has a neurodivergent disability because the world’s not set up for those individuals, and it’s not set up for those that support those individuals,” said Director of Services and Founder of Acceptional Minds Becky Krisko.

Acceptional Minds is a family oriented organization that offers support, mentoring and education for individuals with autism.

“Basically what we do here is symptomology based and not diagnosis-based, but we do have a specialty in autism. And so what we work on doing is integrating all of our members back into their home communities while scaffolding natural support,” said Becky Krisko.

This organization has a large variety of classes and programs including family support and mentor programs, informational and speciality classes, after school classes, private schooling and more.

In every class they focus on each person’s individual needs and even create new programs based on those needs they see.

The Community Fun Fest event is open to all families and ages to explore their programs and community partnerships.

There will also be booths with some of Acceptional Minds’ sponsors so parents can learn those services while their children can run around and check out the activities.

Event Rentals by Kris will be providing the tables, chairs and activities such as 9 hole mini golf,a giant maze, arts and crafts, carnival games, face painting, sensory zones and more.

To make it accessible for everybody, the activities will be indoors and there will be quiet zones if someone needs a break.

There will be a rummage sale, merchandise sold, and a hamburger and hotdog fry available for purchase, cooked and provided by the young adult program.
“What I hope people take away from this is that we as a community can make ourselves stronger. We as a community can work together so that no one is left behind. Everyone deserves to find their purpose and to find their joy, and every community needs all of its members,” said Becky.

“We’re trying to reach out and we just want other people to reach back,” said Technical Writer and Instructor of Accpetional Minds Nekita Krisko.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at Acceptional Minds in De Pere.

It is free to the community but will be accepting donations including snack and clothing donations for the kids.

Acceptional Minds also has the opportunity for people to volunteer like reading for kids.

For more information about Acceptional Minds, please visit acceptionalminds.org