Rich Center pupils present quilts to Rescue Mission

YOUNGSTOWN — A summer art project at the Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism at Youngstown State University has wrapped up just in time to benefit those in need this holiday season.

In an effort to give back to the community, 45 preschool and school-age Rich Center pupils crafted 80 fleece quilts during the center’s Kids Who Care summer art program.

The children were to present the blankets to residents and staff of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, 962 Martin Luther King Blvd., at 10 a.m. today .

“We’re delighted that our students, staff and parents have an opportunity to collaboratively take part in this unique creative endeavor,” said Georgia Backus, Rich Center director. “This project is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the Rescue Mission for the tremendous service they provide for our community.”

The summer art program is designed to reinforce art concepts through sensory stimulation while teaching students about the importance of community service.

“The project was empowering to the students,” said Jill N. Holod-Dunbar, art teacher. “They learned a new skill and helped other children in the community.”

In addition to the children in the summer art program, nine adolescents with autism participating in the Center’s Adolescent and Family Transition Program assisted in assembling the quilts. The project was funded through a $1,000 dollar grant from the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education.

The quilts are made from fleece fabric that features the multi-colored puzzle-piece pattern that symbolizes autism awareness.