Autism Social Center, the Only One of its Kind, Needs Your Help Brandon’s Place is a very qualified, unique, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Oakwood Village that was created in 2013 to fill the need to personalize social and vocational services to individuals with autism and their families in a non-therapeutic lifestyle center. The organization provides social opportunities for those with autism – from childhood through adulthood. Participants just sign up and have fun! The national statistic for individuals impacted by autism is one in 68, and one out of 50 boys. There is a huge need for this type of programming and Brandon's Place has filled the demand. Each day, Brandon’s Place touches the lives of hundreds impacted by autism. If you had the ability to help the thousands of people in your community, would you? This community has come to depend on a place that they can call their own, and Brandon's place needs help from our community to continue its mission. “Funding our programs has been more challenging than we ever could have anticipated,” said Karen Forbes, founder and executive director. “Our families, a large percentage of which are already dealing with financial challenges, are charged a nominal fee to participate in our programs. Our qualified staff either volunteer or are paid a minimal salary for their services. Based on our current financial situation, we need funding to continue serving our community.” Forbes explained how this bridge funding will hold them over until Brandon’s Place completes its qualification to participate in the Medicaid Waiver Vocational Habilitation Training Program, administered by the State of Ohio. This program is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2015, and that funding and reimbursement will kick in at the second quarter of 2016. To survive, Brandon's Place needs to raise $120,000 by May of this year. To learn more about Brandon's Place, Forbes encourages you to watch the short video on the organization's homepage, at www. brandonsplace.org. “This is about helping families,” Forbes added. “They would be so grateful to have their kids continue to participate in our programs – programs that are essential to their emotional, social and mental well-being.” If you are interested in stopping at Brandon's Place, please call us at 440.232.9906 or email info@ brandonsplace.org. New Cleveland Ballet Brings World Class Dancers to Stage On April 17, the Cleveland Ballet Youth Company and very special guest artists Carlos Lopez and Adiarys Almeida, accompanied by the Cleveland Ballet Orchestra, will perform Classic, Elegant, Timeless at the historic Ohio Theatre at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square on April 17 at 7pm. Lopez and Almeida will perform the White Swan pas de deux from the ballet, Swan Lake. The performance will be accompanied by live music, performed by the Cleveland Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of Alexandra Preucil, assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. Special guest William Preucil, the Cleveland Orchestra concertmaster since April 1995, will accompany Lopez and Almeida in Peter Tchaikovsky's White Swan pas de deux. Guest choreographer Robert Wesner, co-founder and artistic director of Neos Dance Theatre, has created a new world premierchoreography for this event. Wesner has traveled and performed with various companies all over the northeast region of the U.S. and in Italy. The event will allow the public to experience young dancers at the height of their training as the 14-member Cleveland Youth Ballet Company takes the stage. Special pre-show activities for children ages 5 to 14 From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., children are invited to experience the magical world of ballet. Guests will meet dancers, learn about ballet and take home a craft. Cost: Free for ticket holders of Classic, Elegant, Timeless. VIP Post Performance Reception at Bin 216 Wine Bar Due to its overwhelming success last year, the Cleveland Ballet will host a post-performance VIP reception. Guests can meet Carlos Lopez, Adiarys Almeida, members of the Cleveland Youth Ballet and orchestra musicians. Light refreshments and cocktails will be served. For ticket and VIP post-performance reception information, visit www.playhousesqure.org or call 216.241.6000. Special Master Class On Saturday, April 18, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cleveland Ballet studios, guest Principal Ballerina Adiarys Almeida will conduct a master ballet class. The class is free for any ticket holders who are classical ballet students, ages 12 to 19, with an intermediate to advanced level. There is a $10 fee for non-ticket holding ballet students. 40 Beachwood Buzz n March 2015