On Apr. 24 Monmouth’s Best Buddies chapter and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) will be coming together for the first time in Monmouth history to bring their mission to the students and faculty of the Monmouth Community.
This event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the student center. A table will be led by CEC and Best Buddies members in honor of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month. Faculty advisor of Best Buddies and faculty Co-advisor of CEC, Dr. Danielle Frith shared that this table will bring awareness to the month of April, provide education materials for faculty and students, answer any questions, and look to grow their chapters.
As a former special education teacher, Dr. Frith has a personal connection to both organizations and was passionate about coming together with Dr. Carol McArthur-Amedeo to start the CEC chapter back up again after COVID. She shared they needed at least 10 students to start CEC back up again, and without any hesitation, 10 “excited, enthusiastic, and committed” students became members.
Dr. Frith added the impact that events such as these make on our community here at Monmouth, and being able to have an event such as this brings attention to what they do. “It brings a spotlight onto the fact we have these chapters,” Dr. Frith commented.
“People mistake inclusion to be a place. It’s not. It’s a philosophy,” Frith said, “Our mission is to include.” They are devoted to broadening their reach of inclusion and demonstrating the inclusion of the university through their organizations.
Don’t forget to stop by the table next week to grab all your educational materials and swag, from pins to bookmarks.
