Yuma Autism Walk  2025

Putting the Autism Walk on the Map– and on the news

The Strong Beginnings Project

When I joined Strong Beginnings, I saw right away that their annual Autism Walk had heart, but not enough eyes on it. For seven years, this amazing community event had been quietly doing its thing without much media attention or significant growth. I knew we could change that.

The Challenge

Despite the passion behind it, the walk had hit a ceiling. Attendance had slowed, and while the community cared, I believed the event could increase its growth and impact.

This was also the first year we introduced formal fundraising and donor contribution levels, so it was critical that the visibility and benefits matched their support.

I knew donors needed to feel seen, and the event needed to evolve beyond tradition into something that could grow with purpose.

What I Did

• I built a real relationship with the local TV news director, and for the first time ever, the walk got on-air coverage.
• I wrote and sent out press releases before and after the event, because if you don’t tell your story, someone else will (or worse, no one will).
• I landed two articles in print newspapers and made sure local radio stations were talking about the event.
• I created custom social posts for our major donors to make sure they felt celebrated and seen.
• And I even drafted the mayoral proclamation that got read at the walk. It was a big moment of recognition for our cause and our community.

How It Resonated

I wanted people to feel genuinely connected to the event and the mission. My focus was on building momentum, fostering community pride, and highlighting local involvement to amplify visibility and inspire action for Yuma’s autism community.

My approach worked because it was personal, relational, and intentional. And it turned a quiet community tradition into a recognized public event.