PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mar. 26, 2015 – 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 Thursday, April 2 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.  

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.  The increasing need for Autism awareness is extremely important and we are thrilled to be taking part in this awareness initiative.   

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.  
 
Additional Buildings include:
Hillcrest Educational Centers
788 South Street Pittsfield, MA 01201
 
Hillcrest’s Housatonic Academy
1450 West Housatonic Street Pittsfield, MA 01201    
DATE:            Thursday, April 2, 2015
TIME: Beginning at dusk
PLACE: Illuminated Landmarks include: City of Pittsfield Park Square Pittsfield, MA 01201    

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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 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