More than 300 people gathered at Miller Quarters Park on Saturday, April 18, for the first “Arms Around Autism” Acceptance Walk, an event organizers say exceeded expectations and will return next year.
Hosted by Families Helping Families Region 7, the event brought together families, advocates, and community members for a morning focused on promoting acceptance and celebrating neurodiversity.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including music, food, bounce houses, vendor booths, and tours of a fire truck. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver also participated in a dunking booth, drawing attention and participation from the crowd.
Organizers said the strong turnout and community involvement highlighted local support for individuals with autism and their families.
Carlissa Myles-Arkansas, a board member for Families Helping Families who organized the event, said the idea stemmed from recognizing a need in her hometown. Though she now lives in Shreveport, she said Minden residents responded enthusiastically.
“I was thinking about the need for awareness and acceptance here, so I reached out to Chanel to see if we could host an event here. Minden has really, really shown love. Even with the sponsorships, people really gave,” Myles-Arkansas said.
She also noted a gap in local services, saying many children in the area must travel to Ruston or Shreveport for therapy, underscoring the need for additional resources in Minden.
Chanel Jackson, executive director for Families Helping Families Region 7, said the event fulfilled its purpose of fostering acceptance.
“The event was very successful. Minden is a very supportive community, and it was so good to see everyone come out and support autism. Not only support, but acceptance. That’s what this walk was about: accepting our kids. Accepting them in the community, accepting them in schools, accepting them in the City of Minden. The acceptance and the outpouring of love was definitely shown and felt here today,” Jackson said.
Organizers confirmed plans to make the walk an annual event.
“We will be back next year!” Jackson said.
For more information on Families Helping Families, visit their website at fhfregion7.com.
