The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard about an Autism Support Group in Christian County, at its weekly Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Program speaker was Erica Matthews with The Autism and Movement Project which began in 2012 with 6 children and now have nearly 150 students at 2 locations in Pana.  Those locations help teach many sensory skills including science, art, field trips, music and dance.

Matthews shared part of their support efforts is operating a coffeehouse called the “Brewin’ Hope” coffeehouse in the former Masonic Lodge in Pana open Friday and Saturday mornings from 7 to eleven in the morning.  She told Kiwanis members students work at the coffeehouse and learn skills, with seven having gained employment elsewhere due to their training and experience. 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.