Autism Advocates in Action held their 13th annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday. People of all ages were invited to eat breakfast and take photos with Santa, enjoy live entertainment and get free toys as part of the organization’s work to provide events tailored for individuals with Autism.
“We are a social engagement event planning nonprofit that provides webinars and quality referrals in addition to for social engagement events,” said Autism Advocates in Action founder Renita Verner. “We have a Valentine’s Day dance, a pizza pool party, a paint and chat social and our breakfasts with Santa.”
City officials, volunteers, community organizers and Santa Claus take a group photo together during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Claus takes a photo with two attendees during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Almost 100 people attended the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Claus takes a photo with two attendees during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
The Pretty Girlz group sing and dance during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Rapper Heaven Ava sings a Christmas song during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
A pile of toys sits beneath a Christmas tree during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Singer Dylan Jenet Collins performs a Christmas song during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
City officials, volunteers, community organizers and Santa Claus take a group photo together during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Claus, left, stands with Councilmember Arleen Rojas during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Pro Tem Cedric Hicks speaks about his experiences during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Two girls show Santa Claus a balloon animal during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Claus pays a visit to attendees eating food during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
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City officials, volunteers, community organizers and Santa Claus take a group photo together during the annual Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by Autism Advocates in Action, in Carson on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Breakfast with Santa is their largest event of the year, Verner said, always selling out early. This year, ninety individuals filled the Carson Event Center and Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes and Councilmember Cedric Hicks visited those in attendance.
Verner said events like these can be really impactful on individuals who feel isolated most of the time and the sense of community lets them “be themselves and not be judged.”
Verner founded the nonprofit in 2012 to provide a space for autistic individuals and their families to come together, support each other and have fun. Since 2012, they have served over 3,000 individuals providing support for families and individuals and hosting inclusive events.
“In 2012 when we started Autism Advocates, the city of Carson did not have the program they have today,” she said. “So, we are responsible for reigniting the city of Carson’s therapeutic recreation program. They were very open and receptive and we worked as a team with the City of Carson to be able to have support group meetings at the community center.”