In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, HeartShare is proud to partner with Raise New York, a local bar and restaurant in Kips Bay with a charitable spin.

In addition to receiving 20% of the bar’s proceeds for the entire month, HeartShare will receive 20% of the proceeds from a special event on Wednesday, April 25th and a signature HeartShare drink available all month. If you take a picture of your drink, be sure to tag @heartshare and include #autismawarenessmonth.

“We wanted to create a place where people enjoyed coming for dinner and drinks, but also felt great about giving back to the community,” said Co-Owner Bryan Butvick, who sits on the Board and is an active supporter of Kids Enjoy Exercise Now or KEEN-NY. The non-profit helps kids with disabilities access fitness and fun.

Bryan’s connection to HeartShare’s mission is a very personal one. His three year old daughter lives with a heart condition. “I really like that HeartShare serves everyone–from children to adults–and that it offers very tangible things, like a home, a job or much needed recreation.”

Since its founding last year, Raise New York has donated more than $40,000 to charities and foundations from its monthly give back program. It was featured in TimeOut New York as “a good excuse to hit up happy hour.”

“We are grateful for this partnership with Raise Bar. We’ve found a way for the larger community to celebrate Autism Awareness Month, while also fundraising for HeartShare’s Autism Services,” shared Meredith Beck, HeartShare Vice President of Development.

Autism acceptance and awareness is a central part of HeartShare’s work. Since 1977, HeartShare has provided services and supports to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum. Throughout its 100 year history, HeartShare has strived to respond to the needs of the New York community, which is why the agency has developed programming for the growing number of individuals, now 1 in 59 children, diagnosed with autism.

All HeartShare Developmental Disabilities programs are equipped to assist children and adults with autism, but some programs are especially tailored to their needs, including special education pre-school classes, a school for children ages 5-21, adult day programs, group homes, overnight respite services, recreation programs and community habilitation services.

To learn more, visit HeartShare Autism Services.