Buildings and Landmarks will Light Up Blue as Part of a Global Initiative to Raise Awareness of Autism 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mar. 25, 2016 – Hillcrest Educational Centers’ Administrative Offices on South Street, Hillcrest’s Housatonic Academy, and the City of Pittsfield’s Park Square will illuminate with special blue lights on the evening of Friday, April 1 in support of Autism Speaks global annual Light It Up Blue (LIUB) campaign to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month.  

The lights will remain lit through the entire month of April in support of Autism Awareness.  We thank Limelight Productions, Inc. for providing the lighting in Park Square.  

Hillcrest Educational Centers is home to a residential Autism Program as well as a Therapeutic Day Program, Housatonic Academy, who also caters to a variety of populations, including students with Autism.  

This year we are excited to announce that Downtown Pittsfield Inc., College Internship Program, UCP of Berkshire County, and Community Resources for People with Autism are partnering with us to host an Autism Resource Fair and Art Show during the First Friday Arts Walk at the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. offices from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1 followed by a lighting ceremony in Park Square at 7:30 p.m.  

Hillcrest and Park Square join a list of more than 10,000 iconic landmarks, businesses, communities and homes in 136 countries on all seven continents that will shine a bright light on autism. The Empire State Building in NYC, Niagara Falls in Canada, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, and even the International Space Station have all joined Autism Speaks along with Hillcrest’s Administrative Offices and Park Square in support of the millions of families affected by autism.  

Throughout the month of April, Pittsfield residents can support their neighbors and friends by participating in Light It Up Blue. Visit www.autismspeaks.org/LIUB for fun and creative ways to shine a bright light on Autism.  

DATE: Friday, April 1, 2016 TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Illuminated Landmarks include: City of Pittsfield Park Square Pittsfield, MA 01201      
Additional Buildings include:   Hillcrest Educational Centers 788 South Street Pittsfield, MA 01201  
Hillcrest’s Housatonic Academy 1450 West Housatonic Street Pittsfield, MA 01201      

About Hillcrest Educational Foundation A top area employer, Hillcrest Educational Foundation is a private not-for-profit agency, serving students from across the country. Hillcrest was started as an organization that provided residential programs for students with complex psychiatric, behavioral and/or developmental disorders, including autism, and a variety of high-risk behaviors. While the agency still provides these residential services, today Hillcrest also offers nonresidential day programs and services for emotionally/behaviorally disturbed students at their Housatonic Academy, general family dentistry at Hillcrest Dental Care and outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents and adults through Hillcrest Community Support Services. Hillcrest’s Administrative Offices are located at 788 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. More information is available at www.hillcrestec.org.About Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. fosters the on-going growth and vitality of downtown through vision, leadership and advocacy and to position downtown as the creative and business hub of the Berkshires for the benefit of all. Visit us at www.downtownpittsfield.com.  

About Limelight Productions, Inc. Limelight® has served the production and technical needs of the entertainment industry for well over 40 years. They have served national clients such as ABC News, HBO, Discover Channel, E Center, Sony Films, DreamWorks, Magic School Bus Tour and Pilobolus Dance Theatre. Our client list also includes the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Tanglewood, Berkshire Choral Festival, Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, among many other well-known organizations.  

About College Internship Program The College Internship Program (CIP), is a national postsecondary transition program for teens and young adults with autism and other learning differences, offering year-round and summer programs at six locations nationwide.  For more information about CIP and their comprehensive services, visit www.cipworldwide.org.  

About UCP of Berkshire County United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Association of Berkshire County — an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy Association — was established in 1961. UCP of Berkshire County offers support and advocacy for any individual, regardless of disability, to pursue a fulfilling, self-determined, high-quality community life — a life without limits.  The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.  

About Community Resources for People with Autism Community Resources for People with Autism provides support, information, educational advocacy and practical help for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families living in western Massachusetts.   We help families build on their strengths, work together to create a positive vision and reality for the future, and help children grow and be welcomed as fully included members of their community. For more information about Community Resources for People with Autism, please contact our Easthampton office at 413.529.2428, our Pittsfield office at 413.443.4780 x 19, or link to our website: http://www.theassociationinc.org.    

About Autism Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.  

About Autism Speaks Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $525 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 60 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.       ###   Media Contact: Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. Katrina Cardillo Director of Communications 413-499-7924 ext. 114 kcardillo@hillcrestec.org

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Media Contact:
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Katrina Cardillo Director of Communications
413-499-7924 ext. 114
kcardillo@hillcrestec.org