Unique and Meaningful April Holidays

Celebrating the Unique and Meaningful April Holidays

April is an exciting month with many meaningful special days. Whether you're raising awareness about important issues or enjoying some traditions, there's something for everyone in April.

Autism Awareness Month.

April is a time to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. It's an opportunity to get involved in learning more about what my Asperger's son calls "neuro spicy". Volunteering either one one-on-one or with a program can enrich your life as well as others.

Awareness campaigns: Share facts and stories about autism to educate others.

Inclusion Projects: Create opportunities for people to learn how to support peers with autism.

Easy idea: Wear Blue Day. Encourage everyone to wear blue as a sign of support.

In my young adult book, teenaged twins Lexi and Levi have spent most of their lives being bounced from one foster home to another, due to the "quirks" of Levi's autism. Yet those same quirks help them escape kidnappers in the Haitian jungle.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

SAAM aims to raise awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on prevention and support. Activities during this month include:

Educational workshops: Host sessions on consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention.

Support Groups: Provide safe spaces for survivors to share their experiences and receive support

Awareness Campaigns: Use social media and community events to spread information about this important cause.

Easy idea: Donate gently used clothes or toys to the agencies in your county.

In my YA book Freerunner, Kia deals with the effects of early molestation on her life. When her abuser re enters her life nine years later, she has to find the courage to stand up for herself and his next victim.

National Library Month

Typically celebrated the second week of April, National Library Week recognizes the essential role librarians and libraries play in supporting learning and community engagement.

Celebrate by:

Library Events: Host book clubs, author visits, or reading challenges.

Librarian appreciation: Show gratitude to librarians with thank-you messages or small events.

Easy idea: Donate a book to your local library

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

Celebrated April 12th, this holiday gives you an excuse to make grilled cheese.

For fun, your family can create a list of everything that can be added to a grilled cheese sandwich.

Normally, my grilled cheese turns out crunchy!

IN HONOR OF AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH AND SAAM, Freerunner and Catching Hope will be free on April 11-13