Kind Tree Prodpuctions, also known as "Autism Rocks" is a remarkable group of supportive professionals reaching out to high functioning autistic young adults. The support group has cut through the loneliness so many youg adults experience, and the peer discussions of social and workk-related problems is comforting and constructive. It's nice not to be alone! The group also offers Social Skills classes, which are great ways to develop tools that would otherwise be incomprehensible. They practice reacting to different situations, they talk about unspoken ways that non-autistic people interact, something that is hard for autistic folks to understand. The Social Skills classes also involve planning outings as a group, fun ways to interact in a safe, interesting social environment in "the outside world." My nephew has found happiness, friendship, structure, and self-awareness through Autism Rocks. He likes the people and the activities, the play-acting, and the discussions. A lot.
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- EIN 93-1232245
- (541) 780-6950
- 2096 1/2 Arthur St Eugene OR 97405 USA
- http://www.kindtree.org
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- KindTree2014
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts, Culture & Humanities, Autism, Camps, Disabilities, Health, Human Services, Sports
Mission: Kind Tree Productions, Inc. is a small Oregon nonprofit, all volunteer organization. Officers and board members include home managers, direct care givers, parents, specialists in the field of autism and people with autism. Hundreds of hours are volunteered by community people to help with the Art Program, the Skill Training for an Independent Living Experience (STiLE), the award winning web site, the support groups, and the unique Summer Friends & Family Camp.
Results: Just one example regarding our Art Program: "I’m more than happy to write this letter of support for your grant application to support the Kindtree Art Program both because of your personal dedication and the important role that Kindtree plays in the Eugene community. I’m a longtime fan and consumer of the Autism Artism shows and your pop-ups at the Holiday Fair and other venues where you showcase the work of Kindtree artists. I’ve seen firsthand how the Art Program provides its participants with self-confidence and real income. But Kindtree is vital in so many other ways, such as partnering with other agencies such as Bridgeway House, OSLP, and Allies LLC as you did to stage the multi-faceted Festival of Art for All in 2019. And of course the Kindtree annual campout is legendary. These events help autistic people value themselves as members of a diverse community and help community members in turn see people with autism as much more than “disabled”, instead seeing them as people with something special to offer that makes their community a richer place to live. I sincerely hope we’ll be able to get back to some kind of pre-Covid level of in-person gathering soon so that your member artists and the larger Eugene community can continue to have the beneficial impact of Kindtree’s efforts. I also know, however, how hard you’ve worked to adapt to these times by offering virtual classes and galleries in the meantime. I actually think there may be a silver lining in there somewhere by which virtual events could help you expand your reach to benefit more people beyond the Eugene area, though of course this requires adequate resources to make it possible. Let me say finally that I know from the experience of my brother James, who was autistic and for whom I provided support for many years, that Kindtree makes a real difference in the lives of everyone it touches. It was way ahead of the game in autism self-advocacy and it remains a leader in our community and an essential force for change and understanding." Tom Keating of Cognitopia
Target demographics: People, families, and caregivers in the Autism Community
Direct beneficiaries per year: 50 people on the spectrum - Covid deeply affected our programs. A normal year will see 200+ served
Geographic areas served: Lane County, Oregon, with an online presence to expand our outreach
Programs: Autism Artism provides grants to artists with autism, curates local art exhibits featuring artists with autism, sells cards and prints for artists with autism providing in royalties to those artists for their works, provides community presentations about autism for public education, features over 50 artists on the KindTree website
STiLE (skills training for independent living experience) provides year round skills training classes for people with autism (and other disabilities) to improve quality of life and community access for these individuals
Autism Rocks Friends and Family Camp provides a fully supported outdoor camping experience for up to 110 individuals with autism, their families and caregivers. 235 persons camp for 4 days and 3 nights at Camp Baker, a fully contained facility with full food services and recreational programming to enrich the lives of these families with an inclusive and supportive environment for socialization and fun.
Advocacy and outreach provides ongoing monthly support groups, newsletters, an up to date, informative website, presentations to community groups and provides referrals to resources to many individuals.