To mark the 12th World Autism Awareness Day that falls on April 2, the Shanghai YMCA & YWCA launched a bazaar together with a local church on March 30, 2019.
According to the WeChat account of the Shanghai YMCA, the faith-based organizations and the Church of the Transfiguration in Qingpu District collected donations of 20,000 yuan. Moreover, the Qingpu Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) made a contribution of 100,000 yuan.
Made up of family members with autistic children as well as volunteers, fifteen "temporary families" together played kitchen games. In the afternoon, they shared information about autism through collecting blessing postcards, such as those on WeChat, as well as food maps. More than 3,000 people learned about the disease.
In recent years, the Shanghai YMCA & YWCA has been exploring ways in which older adolescents can integrate into society. Since 2012, the organizations have carried out publicity events including an exhibition of paintings made by autistic children, dramas, and church announcements.
According to the WeChat account of the Xi'an YMCA, on March 31 the Xi'an YMCA in cooperation with local organizations held an eco-marathon to help the public have a better understanding of people with autism. Over 40 families with autistic children, handicapped people, and about 200 volunteers attended.
Autistic children ran together with their parents and volunteers while picking up garbage along the line. They received high-fives for their efforts.
