Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is proud to have its first ever variety show on NCTV17! Featuring five talents of those who are on the autism spectrum and hosted by North Central College student Ben Weiss, who was the brainchild behind the program and has a huge passion for the arts and has long dreamt of producing such a show.
The Performers
All performers love to express themselves through their talents and have spent many hours preparing and truly enjoy sharing their passions with others. These five acts are:
- Amolak, singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
- Tanush, playing piano medley
- Tarek, sharing and critiquing his top three films by director David Fincher
- Zach, singing “My Funny Friend and Me” as performed by Sting
- Sarah, playing the accordion
More About Turning Pointe
In 2007, local residents Randy & Kim Wolf developed a program of supports with therapists that proved life-changing for their family. Their son, Jack, had been diagnosed with autism at eighteen months and was engaging in the most destructive behaviors associated with the disorder. As their programming helped Jack emerge from a place of isolation to a place of connection, Randy and Kim were relieved but not satisfied.
Rather than resting after their truly tiring time of intense intervention for Jack, Randy and Kim galvanized a group of volunteers, experts and the community to start Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. The organization is dedicated to best practice approaches to supporting students on the spectrum. Their mission: Increase independence and improve communication and socially-appropriate behaviors for students with autism so that they may maintain a meaningful future. They currently have seven classrooms, building their eighth to be completed in 2021.
For more information about the organization, check out our “Spotlight” interview with their Executive Director, Carrie Provenzale.
Turning Pointe In the News
- Helping Those at Home
- Social Distance Superhero Graduation
- Film Festival Helps Those on the Spectrum
- Test Drive for Autism Awareness Month
Sponsors
- Toyota of Naperville
- Lexus of Naperville
- boyce Body Werks
- Mustang Construction
- Two Brothers Brewing Company
- Positively Naperville
- Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce
- Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Hugos Frog Bar
- 95.9 The River
- 101.9 The Mix
- Daily Herald
- Dupage Aerospace
- West Side Mechanical
- Braconi’s
- Aurelio’s
- Naperville Bank & Trust
- Esser Hayes
- Catch 35
- Dry Bar
- Costello Jewelry
- Lou Malnati’s
- Egg Harbor
- Anderson’s Bookshop
- Lush
- Cinnaholic
- Naperville Running Club
- Serendipity
- Two Bostons Pet Boutique
- Giordano’s
- Q BBQ
- Allegro Printing
- Molly’s Cupcakes
- Biaggi’s
- Oma Steaks
- Naperville Italian Auto
- Autobahn Country Club
- McCarthy Ford
- Barrington Chamerce
- Ferguson Hill Wealth Management
- Hunziker and Hunziker
- 41 North
- DuPage Medical Group
- Supporting Strategies
