Roselle Raises Flag for Autism Awareness Month

ROSELLE, NJ — The Borough of Roselle hosted its annual Autism Awareness Flag Raising Event Monday to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.Despite the chilly conditions, residents attended the event, which was hosted in front of Borough Hall, in partnership with Inroads to Opportunities, a non-profit organization in the borough that provides programs and services to individuals with disabilities.Roselle officials who attended and spoke at the event included Mayor Donald Shaw, First Ward Councilwoman Isabel Sousa, Recreations Director D’Nean Wynn, and Fifth Ward Councilwoman Rosetta McCamery.“We often forget about individuals in our community with different abilities, and that is not what Roselle is about,” Shaw said. “We made a vow to Inroads and to other organizations years ago that we are all here together in this community, and we will be treated all equally.”Linda Galarreta, President of the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) for Roselle’s School District and Inroads to Opportunities employee, who is a mother of two children with autism, expressed how necessary this event is for the community and now that they know more, the need to do better. She also expressed her gratitude to the mayor’s commitment.“One thing I can recall is from the second I’ve met him, he made a promise that he would not forget about our disabilities community,” Galarreta said. “And that has stood with me this whole time.” Cyndy Walsh, Vice President of Inroads to Opportunities, spoke of the non-profit’s mission to make the community more inclusive, to make those that they work with feel like they are part of the community, productive members of society and to have a place where they can blossom and reach their potential.“Events like this bring to light everything that they are capable of and how they need to be respected and given a chance,” Walsh said. “Autism acceptance is an everyday thing.”Union County Assistant Prosecutor Gina Iosim also spoke at the event, thanking Inroads to Opportunities to be a better member of her community and how to help people.“Although, as our national anthem says, this may be a perilous fight, it is a beautiful one,” Iosim said. “When we are respectful of each other, when we are inclusive to one another, when we remember that inclusivity is when everyone not just gets invited to the party but gets a chance to dance, that’s when we are a beautiful community.”Mayor Shaw had invited children and those with Inroads to Opportunities to help with the flag raising.“I want the children to be involved in this process,” Shaw said. “It’s super important that they get an opportunity to be a part of the flag raising–that just means every year they’ll be back to raise the flag.”Spectators and officials would be seen sentimental when the Autism Awareness flag was being raised as Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” played, signaling the Roselle community’s continuing dedication to support for advocacy for individuals with disabilities.Pastor Kip Wright of Roselle's Agape House of Worship gave the invocation and spoke at the event. He said he hopes individuals who see the flag will be reminded of the children and families that need support and compassion.“Let us remind us to always be inclusive, patient, and demonstrate love to anyone who may be on the spectrum or different in any way," Wright said.Mayor Shaw later spoke with TAPinto Roselle and noted the significance of the day’s event, believing in all-inclusive programs and inclusivity within the community as well as being supportive of organizations in the borough.“I want you to be involved,” Shaw said. “We want everybody to embrace everybody in this community.”