Spectrum Family Talks is proud to host our 3rd Annual SFT Community Event in non-profit partnership with Burst Into Books, a registered 501(c)(3) organization serving as our official host venue and fiscal sponsor. Together, we are taking national advocacy and bringing it directly back to Roseland!

With your help, South Side youth will go home with "Confidence Kits" equipped with custom long-sleeve tees, the MAC Moves Down Right Confident coloring book, sensory tools, art supplies, and vital community resources focused on social-emotional health.

Bridging the Resource Gap During Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We use this national awareness platform to celebrate disability pride while opening our doors to all local youth and families across Chicago’s South Side—including children navigating Down syndrome, autism, sensory regulation needs, and those who remain undiagnosed or underdiagnosed.

Families in our community face significant gaps in access to essential wellness, specialized education, therapy, and health resources. We are bridging this gap by creating an inclusive space where every child can build confidence, gain self-advocacy skills, and connect to critical tools. Visual art gives youth language and words to communicate feelings, sensory needs, or self-advocacy cues before becoming overwhelmed—teaching them that feeling different is normal, valid, and worth taking the time to communicate properly.

Focusing on Resource Equity & Community Connection

Our event removes financial and social barriers so that all attending children and caregivers leave equipped for long-term growth:

Youth "Confidence Kits" ($30/child): Every registered child receives a custom long-sleeve branded tee (built for Chicago fall weather), an exclusive MAC MOVES Coloring Book, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) tools, art supplies, and a sensory plushie.
Neurodivergent Entrepreneurship & Self-Advocacy: We are proud to feature George Booth and his mother as event sponsors! George is a talented photographer in his 20s and photo booth business owner on his autism journey. Having George capture our families provides our youth with a powerful real-world example of neurodivergent business leadership and self-advocacy in action
Interactive Skill-Building & Art Curation: On-site art activities are curated by Meosha Thomas of Local Color Art Studio (Back of the Yards). Local Color Art Studio has gifted a curated set of 6 giant (11" x 11") interactive coloring pages drawn directly from MAC’s Book, along with sponsored art materials so youth and parents can color together, express themselves, and build regulation skills
Parent & Caregiver Resource Kits: Caregivers receive curated bags proudly sponsored and supported by Blue Door Neighborhood Center and Share Our Spare packed with actionable tools covering health, therapy access, education, nutrition, and family financial literacy from local community service organizations.

3rd Annual Spectrum Family Talks Community Event

Launching MAC MOVES: From Times Square to Roseland