Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

We’re thrilled to announce that SARRC is one of the 26 Arizona-based nonprofits to receive a grant from Desert Financial Credit Union! 🥳🎉 The $30,000 grant will help SARRC's Community Schools at our Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe campuses. This generous gift allows us to continue providing high-quality early childhood education for children without autism as well as ABA-based programming for children with autism. Thank you, Desert Financial! 🌟

✨ Happy National Nonprofit Day! ✨ SARRC is proud to be a part of the nonprofit community in Arizona! SARRC is wholly dedicated to our mission of advancing research and providing a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families. Thankfully, we are able to achieve this through the dedication and support of our amazing community! 🥰 Supporting SARRC comes in so many different forms. Here are 4 easy ways to get started! 💜 Attend YES Day Walk for Autism™ on Oct. 27 at Tempe Beach Park! 💜 Hold a fundraiser 💜 Volunteer for the day – individually or with a group! 💜 Tell a friend about SARRC! 💜 Make a donation to help us continue to advance our mission (bonus: see if your employer matches your gift at autismcenter.org/donate)! Looking to get involved? We are always looking for new supporters to join our family ❤ Learn more about SARRC, our programs, research and much more at autismcenter.org.

Are you passionate about fostering positive change in Arizona? Do you want to be part of a dynamic group dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families? We are seeking up and coming professionals to join SARRC NextGen! 💪 SARRC NextGen aims to involve the next generation of SARRC supporters in raising critical funds, engaging the community, volunteering, and increasing awareness and acceptance of autism. Who We Are Looking For: ✅ Members who are 40 or younger ✅ Demonstrate proven leadership professionally and within the community ✅ Work for or associated with a company that values philanthropy Opportunities as a SARRC NextGen Member: 💜 Networking with other members and the SARRC Board of Directors 💜 Engaging with SARRC’s research, programs and services 💜 Attending and supporting SARRC’s special events 💜 Volunteering at SARRC’s campuses 💜 Participating in board governance training and professional development workshops Your Impact: Your fundraising efforts and involvement will directly support the growth and expansion of our mission-critical programs and research for individuals with autism and their families. Application Deadline If you are interested in applying, please complete and return the application form by Friday, Sept. 20 to Lauren Smith at LSmith@autismcenter.org. Please note your application requires a SARRC sponsor to be considered. ➡ Download the application form at: https://lnkd.in/gZiahKAs

We are honored to have been featured in The New York Times! 🤩🎉 The piece centers on Max Cain, a SARRC client, and other adults with autism that work at Fine Timepiece Solutions (FTS) American Manufacturing. Kunal Naik, chief executive and founder of FTS, said he had never thought of autism in connection with watches until a few years ago when one of his business partners […] mentioned his niece, who had autism, would thrive in such a quiet setting where she could wholly focus on one thing. "Not every person on the autism spectrum would make a good watch technician, Mr. Naik said. But, “there’s a sliver that really identifies well with the work we do,” he continued, because they can concentrate on a task for a long period of time. At the time, FTS […] was having a difficult time attracting employees. Mr. Naik thought maybe he could broaden the pool of applicants by seeking candidates with autism. The company’s first step was to contact SARRC and became involved in their Employment Partnerships program, a program that creates partnerships with local and national employers to increase employment opportunities for adults with autism. “What we’re trying to do is adapt the environment and build the skills of the person with autism to be successful on the job,” Dr. Daniel Openden, president and CEO of SARRC, said, adding that both sides sometimes need training to make a match effective. Luckily, FTS and Max were a seamless match. Max is the fourth person with autism to work at the company. “Being able to learn from someone on the spectrum who has a different perspective on life, I think it adds value,” Carmen Vidal, FTS employee said. “It just makes life so much bigger and more interesting.” To read the full inspiring article, visit the link below! (Excerpts from article written by Janelle Conaway)

SARRC is incredibly grateful to have received a $200,000 grant from The Saguaros Children's Charities! 🥳 The Saguaros, a philanthropic and social club, recently announced $866,000 in grants to 29 Arizona nonprofits focused on helping children throughout the state, and SARRC is thankful to have been selected as one of the chosen nonprofits. The grant will go towards our strategic plan of putting effective services within reach of every Arizonan by 2030. Thank you again to The Saguaros for their generosity! 💜

The AFP - Greater AZ Chapter recently announced their 2024 National Philanthropy Day Leadership Awardees and we are pleased to say Maureen Jorden, SARRC's chief development officer, has received the honor of Outstanding Fundraising Executive! 🥳 All awardees will be recognized at the National Philanthropy Awards Luncheon scheduled on November 22. Please help us congratulate Maureen for this excellent achievement! ⭐

Are you passionate about fostering positive change in Arizona? Do you want to be part of a dynamic group dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families? We are seeking up and coming professionals to join SARRC NextGen! 💪 SARRC NextGen aims to involve the next generation of SARRC supporters in raising critical funds, engaging the community, volunteering, and increasing awareness and acceptance of autism. Who We Are Looking For: ✅ Members who are 40 or younger ✅ Demonstrate proven leadership professionally and within the community ✅ Work for or associated with a company that values philanthropy Opportunities as a SARRC NextGen Member: 💜 Networking with other members and the SARRC Board of Directors 💜 Engaging with SARRC’s research, programs and services 💜 Attending and supporting SARRC’s special events 💜 Volunteering at SARRC’s campuses 💜 Participating in board governance training and professional development workshops Your Impact: Your fundraising efforts and involvement will directly support the growth and expansion of our mission-critical programs and research for individuals with autism and their families. Application Deadline If you are interested in applying, please complete and return the application form by Friday, Sept. 20 to Lauren Smith at LSmith@autismcenter.org. Please note your application requires a SARRC sponsor to be considered. ➡ Download the application form at: https://lnkd.in/gZiahKAs

Daniel Openden, president and CEO of Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), knows that democracy is all about inclusivity. We greatly appreciate that he's using his voice to spread the word. Thank you, Daniel! There's so much more we can accomplish when we provide opportunities for everyone. #VoteTheSpectrum

Watch the video recap! 🎥 Almost one month ago we took the first swing (literally!) towards building SARRC’s Kathryn G. Bosco Mesa Campus! 🤩 Last month's sledgehammer ceremony was attended by teams from Willmeng Construction, Inc. and LAST Architects, SARRC Capital Campaign members, donors including Kathy and Mike Bosco, and SARRC Board members. Scheduled to open in January 2025, our new campus marks a significant milestone in SARRC's Strategic Plan to establish nine "brick-and-mortar" locations across Arizona by 2030. Our partners at Willmeng Construction have produced a short video to commemorate the special day! Watch the video below 🎥

SAVE THE DATE! SARRC is excited to celebrate the 4th annual YES Day Walk for Autism™ with our supportive community on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at Tempe Beach Park! This year, we are thrilled to introduce a 1-Mile Family-Friendly Walk during the event! 🤩 SARRC YES Day walk teams are invited to join our inaugural community one-mile walk at their own pace, offering a fun and engaging way to boost your 2024 fundraising efforts! Opening Ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., with an instructor-led stretch session to warm up our attendees for the Walk. Following the walk, participants can enjoy all the activities our fourth annual event has to offer! Leading up to the event, we encourage our community to register in advance to help raise funds, awareness and acceptance! Start your team, join a team, or register as an individual at yesdayforautism.org! 💜