Dear ATPF Community:

We are excited to announce that the Autism Tree Project Foundation received a $20,000 grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation. These funds will support our important work of providing more than 20 free intensive programs to families and children that help to improve their confidence, behaviors and social communications. We are honored to be one of 114 organizations supported by The Conrad Prebys Foundation inaugural grant cycle! 

"Our staff and board are honored to serve as stewards for The Conrad Prebys Foundation, and with our role comes the responsibility to empower the non-profits creating meaningful change across San Diego," said Erin Decker, Director of Grantmaking for The Conrad Prebys Foundation. "The grantees have exhibited an extraordinary level of resilience, innovation and compassion during this very challenging time, and it is these organizations that will heal our community in the months and years to come. The foundation is proud to be a part of their story."

California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response March 19, 2020 @ 11:22 PM

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction. 

Read the full Executive Order here (pdf).

More information & resources here: https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/ 

• Screening & Testing
• Emergency Housing
• Food
• Employment Assistance

The State has approved San Diego to move into Stage 2, allowing Dine-In restaurants and In-store retails to reopen with modifications in order to adhere to public health guidelines. Here are the changes you can expect: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus.html

Written by Bob Morris, San Diego Union-Tribune

Dayna Hoff has a master’s in business administration and is a former pharmaceutical sales representative who worked with neurologists and neuroscientists in San Diego and elsewhere. Her husband, Todd, is a healthcare executive.

In 2000 their son Garrett was born. He was a bright, happy baby who brought joy to his family, but in the months that followed, certain behaviors became troubling. Dayna and Todd were connected to the world of healthcare in Southern California, and Dana spent the next nine months and a huge amount of personal resources with doctors between San Diego and Los Angeles trying to diagnose the problems.

Written by Bradley J. Fikes, San Diego Union-Tribune

Autism never affects just one pereson. It changes the lives of entire households. How well they can cope depends on the condition's severity and the support available to each family. The public, too, plays a role.

Here are the stories of two affected families:

Garret Hoff has no problem keeping busy. When he's not at Francis Parker School in San Diego, the 14-year-old is often preparing for a play with San Diego Junior Theatre. On Wednesday, the Point Loma resident went off to England for two weeks with his class. And when he gets back, Garret plans to start interning for state Sen. Joel Anderson, R-Alpine.

Not too bad for any teen, let alone one with autism.

Written by Bradley J. Fikes, San Diego Union-Tribune

Bagels and biology. Cocktails and chromosomes. Music and medicine. And for a backdrop, the Pacific Ocean and the Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Bella Vista Social Club & Caffé, a spot for social and professional scientific networking -- or just eating and drinking -- celebrated its sixth anniversary last week.

Perched on the second floor of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the Bella Vista draws scientists from Torrey Pines Mesa’s extensive life science community. Thousands are within easy walking distance. One block to the south, there’s the Salk Institute. UC San Diego is one block to the east, across North Torrey Pines Road. The rest of Torrey Pines Mesa is a short drive away.

Tune in NOW to FOX 5 San Diego to see our ATPF kids talk live about our 10th Annual Winter Wonderland!!!

We are so grateful for all of our families and volunteers who joined us today for our 4th Annual Bridge to the Beach Program! Big thank you to the San Diego Lifeguards and Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego! This fun event would not have been possible if it wasn’t for your generosity! We had so much fun today playing with our buddies!

Hoff one of 12 women honored at the longest running charitable event in San Diego

We are sending out a big thank you to the San Diego Union Tribune for the article featuring on our very own Founder & Volunteer Executive Director Dayna Hoff. Hoff was honored by the The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of San Diego County at the 53rd Annual Women of Dedication Luncheon on May 30, 2018. The luncheon marked the 53rd year of honoring incredible women who give back in their community, making it one of the longest-running charitable events in San Diego. The theme, “Wonder Women,” acknowledges the remarkable lives and actions of the honorees. Congrats Dayna on this award for more than 15 years of tireless work and dedication to ATPF!

ATPF is so blessed to be interviewed by a TV show called American Dream today.

First, huge gratitude to Nathan Watkins for working so hard to make this interview happen for ATPF.

We are so blessed to work with our community partner, The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University. We had the pleasure of creating this video to highlight how people of ALL ages can give back at an early age - you are never too young or too old to volunteer!