Special fundraiser set for Autism Breakthrough
“Whiskey Business!” is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at Yee Haw Brewing, 745 N. Broadway in downtown Knoxville, benefitting Autism Breakthrough Knoxville’s social skills group.
Cost for the event is $55 per person, which provides bourbon tasting, games and activities, food, a silent auction and door prizes.
Dress code for the event is “come as you are casual,” according to information provided by Autism Breakthrough. Those participating in the tastings must be age 21 or older, but families and children are welcome in the venue.
“The sale of one ticket covers the cost of one social skills group therapy session,” said Chelsea Montgomery, director of therapeutic service for Autism Breakthrough who assists with facilitating the social skills classes. “One hundred percent of the proceeds from Whiskey Business will go directly to the participants of Social Skills Groups to pay for their therapy services.”
Social skills groups began in 2022 under the leadership of Micki Benoit, Breakthrough’s speech-language pathologist, “and it is growing at an exponential rate,” the Autism Breakthrough website stated. “Social Skills Groups play a crucial role in developing the skills necessary for successful interactions, independence and relationships, as well as building self-esteem and confidence.
“During Social Skills Groups, we participate in activities that promote socialization with others with similar interests.” This includes weekly group meetings, and social outings.
“Breakthrough currently stands as the only provider of therapeutic social skills groups for individuals ages 14 and up in the Knoxville area.”
As of as of May 31, Autism Breakthrough noted 26 active Social Skills Groups participants, with an average of three to four new participants every month.
Samantha Garcia of Farragut is one of those active participants. She said she has been taking part “for about five months. It has really helped me with living day to day and just living life as someone who has autism.”
Garcia said the group helps its members “in many ways. With bills, budgeting, getting jobs, going to school.
“Mostly it shows you how to make a good life for yourself if you have a disability.”
Garcia said she has made many new friends in the group.
“It helps us form bonds with each other, but it also helps us to know we are not alone,” she said. “It also helps us to be able to reach out to others who might be struggling, so we can let them know if we can deal with things in a positive and productive way, they can too.”
Garcia, who graduated from Farragut High School in 2020, said in addition to making friends with her peers and fellow group members, the leaders, Montgomery an Benoit, also are supportive and hands-on.
“Chelsea and Micki are available to us, all day, every day, even though we only meet officialy once a week,” Garcia said. ‘Thye are so open, and we can call them, or text them, and they set up a time for us come by, or will call us if we need them to.
“They are a constant help to us.”
Cheerful and positive in her demeanor, Garcia said she has n’t always been that way privately. “I have really struggled with depression and anxiety, and it has been hard for me in the past to admit sometimes when I needed help,” she said. “But after joining this place, I have been able to think more clearly about everything, and I can go to them and ask them what I should do.
“It has really helped me to have less anxiety and less anxiety attacks because of the help I’m getting,” Garcia added.
She also recently started as a cashier for Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant/ Turkey Creek.
For more information, contact Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville at 865-247-0065 or find its Autism & Community Outreach Center at 1700 Liberty St. To purchase tickets, visit https://breakthroughknoxville.org/whiskey-business/
