Lyric’s Champs mission is to promote Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Education within our community so that those families affected by Autism can breathe a little easier knowing they and/or their loved ones are accepted within their own community and have every opportunity to succeed. Through increasing available supports, education, training and resources in our community our goal is to bridge the gap and grow understanding of autism and highlight the differences that make everyone a champ in our eyes.
Lyric’s Champs was founded by Eric and Linda Saulnier, proud parents of Lyric Champ and Crosby King.
Lyric was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2012 at the age of two and not long after inspired his parents to begin fundraising and organizing events and groups to help support, educate and spread awareness and acceptance of those individuals with Autism and other developmental disorders as well as their families within the community.
In 2015, Lyric’s Champs launched its first skating program, appropriately named “Lyric’s Champs Skating Club.” Our skating club provided a five week learn-to-skate program for kids with Autism and other developmental disorders in a sensory friendly environment with one-to-one instruction. Since 2015, the skating program has more than doubled in size, growing from 10 participants to 23 with over 25 volunteers.
Beyond the skating program, Lyric’s Champs has been able to raise proceeds through various fundraising events which were then used to benefit our community- including purchasing and donating 13 iPads to the Somerville Public Schools Special Education Department as well as donating thousands of dollars to the Boston chapter of Autism Speaks.
In 2017, Lyric’s Champs officially registered as a 501c3 charity, gaining federal and state tax exemption. This opens many new doors for the future of Lyric’s Champs and we’re beyond excited to see what the future holds!
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