Saturdays in Motion Finds New Home at Boys & Girls Club of Plainfield

Saturdays in Motion (SIM), a free recreational program serving children with autism in Union County, has found a new home at the Boys & Girls Club of Plainfield after storm damage displaced its previous location.

The program, which began 34 years ago at Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge, arrived at Plainfield YMCA this February. For months, it provided a welcoming space where children with autism and their families could gather, connect, and participate in recreational activities together. Then a severe storm caused significant damage to DuCret School of Art, the program's host site, leaving SIM temporarily without a venue.

The community came through. The Boys & Girls Club of Plainfield stepped in to provide Saturdays in Motion with a new home, allowing the program to continue serving the families who depend on it.

"For parents, these sessions are a rare and precious breath of fresh air," one family shared. "It is a space where we can connect, share resources, and simply be, without ever feeling the need to apologize for our children being exactly who they are."

That sentiment captures what makes Saturdays in Motion special. Each three-hour session brings together children with autism and their families in a supportive, welcoming environment. Dedicated volunteers lead recreational activities in the gym, creating a space where children can be fully themselves while their families connect with others who understand their experiences.

Saturdays in Motion will continue every other Saturday throughout the fall and into winter. Sessions run from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Boys & Girls Club of Plainfield, located at 165 E. Front St., Rear Entrance, Plainfield. Upcoming session dates are October 10, October 24, November 7, and November 21.

Families interested in participating can learn more and register at www.gscymca.org/saturdays-in-motion. The program is free, and volunteers ensure that every child and family feels welcomed and valued.

The relocation to the Boys & Girls Club demonstrates the strength of community partnerships and the commitment to serving Union County families. Whether a child is newly diagnosed or has been part of the autism community for years, Saturdays in Motion offers something rare: a judgment-free space where families can simply be together.

FAQ

Q: What is Saturdays in Motion?
A: Saturdays in Motion (SIM) is a free recreational program that serves children with autism and their families in Union County. It brings families together on select Saturdays for three-hour sessions focused on recreation, connection, and creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment.

Q: Where does Saturdays in Motion meet now?
A: The program relocated to the Boys & Girls Club of Plainfield, 165 E. Front St., Rear Entrance, Plainfield, NJ 07060. It moved to this location after storm damage displaced its previous site at DuCret School of Art.

Q: When are the upcoming sessions?
A: Sessions run every other Saturday from 2 PM to 5 PM. Upcoming dates for fall and early winter are October 10, October 24, November 7, and November 21, 2026.

Q: Why did the program need to relocate?
A: A severe storm caused significant damage to DuCret School of Art, which was the program's host site. The Boys & Girls Club of Plainfield stepped in to provide a new home for the program, allowing it to continue serving Union County families.

Q: How long has Saturdays in Motion been serving families?
A: The program began 34 years ago at Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge. It arrived at Plainfield YMCA in February 2026, bringing this established program to Union County families.

Q: What happens during a Saturdays in Motion session?
A: Sessions are led by dedicated volunteers and include gym activities and recreational time in a supportive, welcoming environment. The program is designed to give children with autism and their families a space to connect with others, share resources, and simply be together without judgment.

Q: How do I register for Saturdays in Motion?
A: Families can learn more and register at www.gscymca.org/saturdays-in-motion. The program is free to participate in, and volunteers ensure every family is welcomed and valued.

Q: Who is Saturdays in Motion for?
A: The program serves children with autism in Union County and their families. Whether children are newly diagnosed or have been part of the autism community for years, families are invited to participate.