News & Blog

Province Invests $20 million Toward Autism Centre

A major announcement today.From the News Release

MAY 2014: Article in Richmond Review

A planned centre for the study, treatment and assessment of autism

Focus Groups

we want to engage with parents, family members, service providers, professionals and individuals on the spectrum to learn more about existing services in your community and how Pacific Autism Centre Society can help meet those needs.

Hello & Welcome

The project is in the very early stages of development and we want this blog to be an interactive tool where people in the BC autism community can find out about the project and contribute ideas and input.

Vancouver Focus Groups

Due to demand we are holding two Vancouver Focus Groups

PAFC Project Update and Public Announcement

On February 28, 2011 Premier Gordon Campbell publicly announced the location of the site and the BC Government's commitment to the PAFC project yesterday

GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub

33 Million-Dollar Provincial Autism Family Foundation Centre Breaks Ground State-of-the-art facility and provincial network to support individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders

Richmond Review Covers Autism Centre Plans

Construction of a new 58,000-square-foot centre for the study, treatment and assessment of autism, could begin on Sea Island in the next three months.

PAFC Governance Committee Nominations Open

The PAFC Board of Directors is now accepting nominations to the PAFC Governance Committee.

Construction Manager Engaged

Pacific Autism Family Centre hires Construction Manager

Project Director Hired

Terry MacKay joins the Pacific Autism Family Centre TeamVancouver, B.C., July 1, 2014

2014年5月: 《烈治文评论》中的文章

一个研究、治疗和评估自闭症的规划中心正在海岛（Sea Island）上落成帷幕，该中心尚属首例，开创历史先河。

《烈治文评论》报导自闭症中心计划

在未来三个月后，这座占地58000平方英尺的自闭症研究、治疗和评估的中心将在海岛（Sea Island）上开始建筑。

MAI 2014 : Article paru dans Richmond Review

Le projet d'un centre d'étude, de traitement et d'évaluation de l'autisme, premier du genre, progresse à ​​Sea Island.

Richmond Review couvre les plans du centre d'autisme

La construction d'un nouveau centre de 58 000 pieds carrés pour l'étude, le traitement et l'évaluation de l'autisme, pourrait commencer à Sea Island dans les trois prochains mois

Provincial Autism Family Foundation Breaks Ground

Today the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation (PAFCF) officially launches a comprehensive provincial network to support individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum and related disorders through a “hub and spoke modelled centre of excellence”.

BC HYDRO: Autism centre in Richmond designed to limit noise, energy use

BC Hydro, Cocchia says, was instrumental in ensuring that the new Pacific Autism Family Centre, scheduled for completion in summer/fall 2016, was designed specifically for the autistic community.Research suggests that many people with ASD find noise unpleasant and even shocking.

VIDEO OF OPENING REMARKS AT GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY DEC 2014

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, PAFC Founder and Co-Chair of the fundraising committee:

PRESS RELEASE: Variety Children’s Charity Announces Major Grant For Autism

$1 million Variety grant boosts Women’s Media Golf Classic fundraising to $1.25M

Rita Thodos Joins the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Rita Thodos as Vice President, Fund Development to our Foundation.

Pacific Autism Family Foundation Receives $100,000 Donation from BMO Financial Group

Pacific Autism Family Foundation’s Board Chair and Co-Founder Sergio Cocchia displays a $100,000 presentation cheque from BMO Financial Group’s Henry Donkers, Steve Saccomano Derral Moriyama.

33 Million-Dollar Provincial Autism Family Foundation Centre Breaks Ground

Today the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation (PAFCF) officially launches a comprehensive provincial network to support individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum and related disorders through a “hub and spoke modeled Centre of excellence”.

$75,000 Donation from TD Bank Group

Pacific Autism Family Foundation’s Founder Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia displays a $75,000 presentation cheque from TD Bank Group’s Stephen Vermette.

PRESS RELEASE: HIRINGS IN MAY 2015

Jenna Christianson-Barker Joins the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation

Canfor Donates $50,000 in Product to the PAFCF

Canfor donates $50,000 in product to the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation

Sotheby’s Presents, an evening of Art with Richard Brodeur and Pattiann Withapea, in support of the Pacific Autism Family Centre

Richard is teaming up with up and coming fine artist, Pattiann Withapea, for a Gallery Tour presented by Sotheby’s International in support of the Pacific Autism Family Centre foundation.

Pacific Blue Cross Commits $100,000 to PAFCF

Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation’s Board Members Grayden Hayward and Jack McGee display a $100,000 cheque from Pacific Blue Cross’ President and CEO, Jan Grude, Chair of Pacific Blue Cross Community Connection Health Foundation, Richard Taylor, and Simone Hung, Customer Service Representative, and her two sons.

Provincial Autism Support Strengthened Through New Federal Programs and LifeLabs Partnership with PAFCF

Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation (PAFCF) will deliver the Canada-wide Ready, Willing & Able and GO Group programs to those living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in BC and open an innovative blood lab through LifeLabs $150,000 donation.

FILMS FROM THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

Liam O'Rourke and Dan Ten Veen, Co-Founders and Directors of Spectrum Productions Montreal, are excited to work in collaboration with Sergio Cocchia and Pacific Autism Family Center to bring the incredibly creative works of over 50 talented filmmakers on the Autism Spectrum from Montreal to screen at Vancouvers Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema in the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts.

PAFC And Ready Willing and Able Launch a Job Seekers Database

Today the Pacific Autism Family Centre officially launches its Autism Job Seekers Database, in partnership with Ready, Willing and Able.

PAFCF Welcomes Trevor Loke as CEO

The Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation (PAFCF) welcomes Trevor Loke as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as of July 1, 2016.

canfitpro: $100,000 to PAFCF

The Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation is creating a hub and spoke network where children and families facing the challenges of autism can access information, treatment, research and support.

Inform Every Autism - Update June 2016

New resources to build connections between BC researchers and those affected by autism spectrum disorders have been released by the Pacific Autism Family Centre (PAFC) its research arm “Inform Every Autism” and its partners.

Open house at the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub

Explore the new hub before we go into operation in January --three open houses are taking place this week at the following dates and times:

Pacific Autism Family Network Welcomes Dr. Gabe Kalmar as President/CEO

Pacific Autism Family Network welcomes Dr. Gabe Kalmar as President/CEO

Montecristo Magazine Features PAFN

Thank you Jim Tobler, Grady Mitchell and Montecristo Magazine.

Dr. Suzanne Lewis joins PAFN as Chief Medical Officer & VP of Research

Dr. Suzanne Lewis joins PAFN as Chief Medical Officer & VP of Research

The Goodlife Fitness Autism Family Hub Grand Opening

Pacific Autism Family Network, along with lead sponsor, GoodLife Fitness, opens the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub.

POPARD: Intro to Mindfulness for Young Adults

PAFN Welcomes Autism BC to its Main Hub in Richmond

Autism BC moves their Burnaby head office to the new GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub in Richmond

BC Lions’ Games Just Got More Autism Friendly

The BC Lions and Pacific Autism Family Network are creating a first in the Canadian Football League.

PAFN Creates Canada’s Largest Luncheon for Autism

British Columbia’s new Parq Vancouver played venue host to the LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon that raised a whopping $513,000 for Pacific Autism families affected by ASD across the province

PAFN & MIRIAM FOUNDATION RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP CANADIANS IMPACTED BY AUTISM

The movement to assist Canadians living with autism, intellectual and development disabilities, and their families gained ground today when the government of Canada announced an investment of $20 million over 5 years as part of the 2018-2019 federal budget.

AIDE Canada Launches

Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Knowledge Exchange Network (AIDE) is a wide-reaching initiative focused on offering information and support to neuro-intellectually diverse individuals and their families and caregivers.

Pacific Autism Family Network Welcomes New Executive Director

Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is pleased to welcome Dawn McKenna to the role of Executive Director of the Society which oversees the GoodLife Fitness Family Hub - Effective August 21, 2017.

PAFN Announces Voices of Autism

The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is pleased to announce the creation of the Voices of Autism (VOA)

PAFN Launches the GO Group Employment Initiative

The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is pleased to announce the launch of their GO Group Employment Initiative.

LifeLabs Now Accepting Patients at the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub

LifeLabs is proud to announce that a specially designed Patient Service Centre (PSC) at the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub in Richmond (the Hub), in B.C., is now accepting customers.

Analysis Finds Serious Shortcomings in MCFD’s Proposed Assessment Tools

The British Columbia Disability Collective (BCDC) has written a media release to express their concerns regarding some serious shortcomings in the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)’s proposed tools for determining which children with disabilities will qualify for support in the new Family Connections Centres (previously called Family Connections Hubs). You can read it here or click the image below: