>> ... Next Generation ...

Clothing
S.P.E.A.K.s

West Bloomfield native sells shirts with the goal of
erasing ignorance surrounding autism.

Sports

Fun At Old
Tiger Stadium

The latest scoop from ComePlayDetroit.

MARIELLE TEMKIN I JN INTERN

I

"I already knew that I needed to
f you don't explain it to people,
have
some sort of an actual business
you can never erase ignorance,"
plan
and
figure out exactly who I
says Allie Rogovein, 19, of West
would
be
marketing to," she said, "but
Bloomfield, who started the clothing
the
classes
helped with the process
company S.P.E.A.K.Apparel. The acronym
and
gave
me
ideas for how to figure
stands for Standing for Simply Publicizing
out
marketing."
Everything Amazing Kids Are, and her
While in high school, Rogovein
clothes share a message that spreads
volunteered
for two years with West
awareness for autism.
Bloomfield-based
Friendship Circle,
"I started making the shirts because
and
she
has
two
special
needs cousins.
I saw this video on Facebook about
"Kids
with
special
needs
are very
how this man's autistic son was being
important
to me;
bullied at school by his
they
have
a special
teacher," the Andover
place
in
my
heart.
High grad explained.
Because
I've
always
"It really struck a nerve
been
around
my
with me because it
cousins, I think I am
seems like everyone is
more patient and
so ignorant, and I think
sensitive
with them,
if people were more
and
it
also
makes me
aware, they wouldn't
SIMMER
more
attuned
to how
act so hurtful."
DOWN
the
public
views
kids
At the beginning of
AND
with
special
needs,"
the summer, she started
RAISE
Rogovein said.
selling tank tops at
A
WARENESS
"The main message
the Franklin Farmers'
t-
4
AROUND
I'm
trying to get out
Market and donated
is
that
they really
15 percent of her sales
are
no
different than
to Autism Speaks,
Allie Rogovein
what
you
would
an autism advocacy
consider
a
'normal'
person.
Just
organization.
because
they
have
some
quirks,
there's
On the front of the shirt, it says
no
reason
why
we
should
treat
them
"Simmer down and raise awareness
any differently," she said.
around." Rogovein said, "It means
She uses a company in Walled Lake,
to take a step back, chill out, listen
Preferred
Products, to print her shirts.
and just be observant. I think a lot
Interested
customers can contact her
of people have an automatic opinion
through
S.P.E.A.K.Apparel's
Facebook
about autistic children, but they need
page.
to take a step back and think about
"My next step as I continue with
what they're doing.
the
company is definitely to expand to
"There's no reason these kids should
selling
other items of clothing besides
be judged by strangers."
tank tops so it'll appeal to a broader
Printed on the back is the statistic
audience," Rogovein said. "Right now
"1 in 88," referring to the number
I'm focusing on getting more in the
of kids with autism. "A lot of people
public
eye, but as I grow, I also want to
come up to me and ask what my shirt
donate
a larger portion of my sales to
means, which is exactly what I want to
Autism
Speaks."
happen," she said.
The member of Temple Israel said, "I
"People won't get over their
like
that what I decided to do is going
discomfort or misunderstanding if they
to help people see things differently
never ask or learn, so I want to make
and just be more aware of their
people curious enough to ask. That
thoughts
and actions toward autistic
way, I can explain it to them."
children." Li
Studying business and public
relations at Indiana University helped
For more information, visit www.
Rogovein be more organized as she
facebook.com/SpeakApparel.
started S.P.E.A.K.Apparel.

36

October 4 2012

The gang that played the Sept. 17 game at old Tiger Stadium

C

omePlayDetroit's third
summer was a huge
success! With
more than
2,000 participants in our
leagues, we continue to
be the fastest-growing
sport and social club in
town. Now that the New
Year has arrived, we
are kicking off the fall
with an assortment of
leagues you can register
for, including basketball,
volleyball, dodgeball
and the largest bowling
league in town. Check it all out at
www.ComePlayDetroit.com .

On Sept. 17, ComePlayDetroit
hosted a softball game at the old Tiger
Stadium for a group of young
professionals from across
the country. With more than
40 participants, the game
was extremely recreational,
and a LOT of fun! The
opportunity to stand in the
same batter's box as so many
all-time greats was inspiring,
and even the one double
play turned up the middle
was reminiscent of Alan
Trammel and Lou Whitaker.
Stay tuned as this may be
the first of many ComePlayDetroit
games at this historical site.

Roommates Wanted

Moishe House Detroit is looking for one or two additional women to join two
other women to fill the vacant spots. This beautiful house on historic Ferry Street
is conveniently located behind the DIA and across the street from Wayne State's
campus. Email for more details at moishehousedetroit@gmail.com .

ComePlayDetroit
Mazel Toys

Congratulations to Seth
and Anna Rogers on their
amazing wedding over Labor
Day weekend at The Henry in
Dearborn. The band played
until 1:30 a.m., and the
dancing continued with a DJ
Matthew Owen and
until 3 a.m.
Stefanie Elson
Also over Labor Day
weekend, Stefanie Elson and
Matthew Owen tied the knot at the Troy Marriott.
MAZEL TOV to both these beautiful couples!

Seth and Anna

Rogers

