Latest news with #WeRocktheSpectrum
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Red Cross giving away free smoke alarm installations in New Rochelle. What to know
The American Red Cross wants to make sure you're prepared for a fire emergency. The Metro New York North chapter is holding a smoke detector installation giveaway in New Rochelle as a part of its 'Sound the Alarm' event on Saturday, May 3. The local Red Cross chapter, which serves Westchester and Rockland counties, Greenwich, CT, and the US Military Academy at West Point, will install smoke alarms for free for residents who don't have working ones. All folks have to do is sign up ahead of the event date. 'We encourage everyone who doesn't have a working smoke alarm in their home to reach out and sign up for an appointment,' Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Chapter CEO of the American Red Cross, Metro NY North, said in an announcement for the event — 'Do it now, before you need it.' Last minute spring break ideas: Spring break activities: Try sensory-friendly playplace We Rock the Spectrum New Rochelle According to Dunn Ashley, home fires are this country's most frequent disaster. On average, seven people die every day from a home fire. "Every second counts during a home fire," Dunn Ashley said. "Most people don't realize that we have just two minutes to escape." That's why the American Red Cross started a national campaign called the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Sound the Alarm events are a part of the campaign, focused on bolstering home fire safety in the lower Hudson Valley. "We do this work throughout the country and in every community," Dunn Ashley added. "But our Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events are typically held in communities where we see a higher-than-average rate of home fires, and where the people impacted may have additional obstacles to their recovery from a fire." The Home Fire Campaign has helped save at least 2,284 lives since its launch in October 2014, according to the Red Cross. The Metro NY North chapter alone has installed over 11,000 free smoke alarms through its Sound the Alarm events in the area. Volunteers and community partners work together with the Red Cross's Metro NY North chapter to plan a suitable time and date with those who sign up to install as many smoke alarms as a home may need for free to ensure a family's safety. The upcoming May 3 Sound the Alarm event is for New Rochelle residents. But the Metro NY North chapter encourages all residents of the Lower Hudson Valley without working smoke alarms to request one. Those in need of a smoke alarm and installation can request one by visiting or by calling 1-877-RED-CROSS (877-733-2767) and selecting Option 5. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Need a smoke alarm in New Rochelle? Get a free installation May 3
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New indoor gym in Middlesex County offers play space for kids with autism, disabilities
We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym, an international franchise offering an all-inclusive play environment for children, will unveil its new Piscataway location this weekend. The grand opening, open to children of all abilities, will be accompanied by a celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at gym, 1642 Stelton Road, Suite 403. Children will be able to play with all the specialized equipment, including the trampoline, swings and the zip slider. Victoria Rodriguez, who owns this location, explained the facility offers a wide range of activities for kids up to age 12, as well as areas for old children and adults. "We are the only franchise that provides basically a safe and all-inclusive environment for kids of all abilities,' Rodriguez said. 'We are unique in a way that basically the sensory equipment that is in our gym basically provides the ability for children to play with purpose. So, we have 12 pieces of specialized equipment. Each one of the pieces of equipment kind of regulates children in a different way." More: How this young man with autism is turning negative experiences into teachable moments The gym, said Rodriguez, who has a child on the spectrum, is "something pretty near and dear to my heart." And, thus, Rodriguez's journey of opening a location began. "I was looking for a place for my children to play. I have a neurotypical and a neurodiverse child so I was looking for an all-inclusive environment that could be suitable for both my children. And that's kind of how I ended up looking at the page of We Rock the Spectrum franchise and started the journey to open up my own location," said the Dunellen resident. Her son, Zachary, has Autism, or is neurodiverse; and her son, Isaiah, is neurotypical. More: A new Central Jersey culinary program is helping people with disabilities find jobs This will be the sixth New Jersey location for We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym with others in Audubon, Paramus, Tinton Falls, Mount Laurel and Waretown. The Piscataway open play schedule is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, with Toddler Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission for the March 15, event is $20 per child, with treats and refreshments sponsored by the My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation. For further price and membership information, visit the Piscataway location's website at For further details about the We Rock the Spectrum franchise, its specialized equipment, and the various services it offers, visit its corporate website at Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for This article originally appeared on New sensory-friendly indoor gym for kids in Piscataway NJ opening soon
Chicago Tribune
05-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Down to Business: We Rock the Spectrum play gym offers something for every child: ‘I love that kids don't want to leave'
Business: We Rock the Spectrum-Naperville Address: 5019 Ace Lane Phone/website: 331-472-0764; Owner: Maureen Hatfield, 41, of Plainfield Years in business: 1 What does your business do? 'It's an inclusive kids' play gym, which means we have sensory equipment that is favorable to kids on the (autism) spectrum, but is liked by all kids,' Hatfield said. What misconceptions do people have? 'People ask us a lot if it's just for kids on the spectrum. It's definitely not. It's for all kids, but we keep kids on the spectrum in mind. It's not overstimulating here. The lights (aren't too bright). Music isn't super loud. All our equipment has a purpose. We call it 'play with a purpose.' The zip line is something all kids like.' Why did you start this business? 'We saw a need in the area. There's a lot of playroom cafes, which are for kids 7 and under. And there's also big play areas like the trampoline parks and laser tag. We wanted something in the middle. We have two kids. One is a big sensory seeker. He could do the zip line and the trampoline all day. Our daughter is the kind of kid who loves to spend Saturday in the library. We wanted something to fit them both.' What are those? 'Kids have a variety of sensory profiles, not just kids on the spectrum. Some kids are seekers. … They go, go, go. Other kids are more sensory avoidant. Maybe they're more easily overwhelmed by a loud or busy place. 'Our son, Victor, is 7. He is big energy. We visited We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin Park one day. Had a lot of fun. He loved that kind of place. Our other child, Fiona, she's 9. … We wanted a place in Naperville with all the sensory needs. We have a quiet art area. A calming room in the back. What we call 'low-stim,' a place to have quiet fun. … They both like it here. They were our guinea pigs.' Is this a chain? 'It's a franchise. There's not a lot in Illinois. … A lot in California, Florida, Texas. There's quite a few in Canada.' What was your job before? 'I worked in special education. First a teacher, then an administrator.' Why is this business important? 'Inclusion is really important for all kids. … Gone are the days when kids with needs were in special classes down the hall. … We have to prepare kids to be accustomed to people who aren't like them.' Is this a good location? 'It's a great location, this corner of Naperville. There's a little bit of everything here.' How is your business doing? 'Business has been great. … We do a lot of events. Two New Year's Eve parties sold out. We recently had a princess party. … We have a lot of fun with our community events.' What age groups visit? 'During the school day, we're more a 4-and-under crowd, a toddler crowd. On the weekends, I'd say kids 10 and under. A lot of families come out for a few hours.' When are you busy? 'Winter is good. Rainy spring days are good. We do a ton of birthday parties during the weekend, which are really fun.' What are your hours? '10 to 6 every day except when we are closed for private parties.' What's the cost? 'Twelve dollars first kid, $10 each sibling. We try to keep it reasonable. … We also offer five visits for $50. That's our most popular. We offer eight (visits) for $75. Unlimited monthly membership for $99.' Is there a time limit? 'We say two hours, but I don't know if we've ever kept track.' What's the rent for a birthday party? '(It's) $350 for two hours, 25 kids.' Where do you find equipment? 'The big stuff is made by a therapy company. Our swing sculpture was built by a local welder we hired. We created a little grocery store.' What do you like best? 'I love that kids don't want to leave.' Any future plans? 'We hope to expand. There's nothing next door.' Any favorite stories? 'We had a customer who sent us a photo. Her son built (a replica of) We Rock the Spectrum using Legos. It was so cool. … Another parent told us his daughter woke him in the middle of the night and asked if they could come here.' What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'The first year is letting people know you're here in any way you can. … You've got to invite them in. … Don't assume anybody knows you're there.'
