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kim

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My Reviews

SQUARE PEG FOUNDATION

September 1, 2008

Joell, Greg and the volunteers at Square Peg have created a beautiful, magical place, where my 6 year old son with autism thrives. He loves Joell, Greg, the horses, and other animals. The kids who volunteer are great role models for him. Greg and Joell focus his tremendous energy on jobs at the ranch, which he loves and is very proud of. They know how to work with active boys! He is so happy there because he can be himself. He can be loud and socially awkward at times and he is not judged. At Square Peg, I have found a very special place where I can learn and grow as a parent. I have learned that my son can successfully be very independent and that I can let go there and trust that he will be O.K. I have learned that rather than trying so hard to turn my son from a square peg into a round one, I want to find more places like Square Peg, where he can happily be himself.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

helping children with a variety of special needs: autism, Down's Syndrome, and emotional difficulties experience great joy and growth. I have seen typical children, become well-informed compassionate teachers of children with special needs. I have seen parents learn to trust others with their special children and increase their confidence in their children's strengths and independence.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

find more volunteers to work on fundraising so that I could hire an administrator. However, this is easier said than done, when you are devoted to providing a great service to children.

More feedback

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

seeing my son radiance at Square Peg. I enjoy learning from Joell and Greg about children and parenting. I love to see these beautiful horses so well loved and taken care of.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

awesome-knowledgeable, compassionate, fun, and creative.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

give thousands of children the opportunity to experience a beautiful connection with the horses, be incredibly happy in a place where they can be themselves and teach many typical kids to be. It could rescue more beautiful horses. It could hire a director, so that Joell can devote her remarkable talents to the children.

Ways to make it better...

Joell had administrative support. And our experience has been and continues to be wonderful.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

funding.

One thing I'd also say is that...

Square Peg is an amazing gift to children and their families from coastal and inland families from San Jose to San Franciso. I encourage anybody who values children with special needs, creating compassionate children who can teach others, and rescuing beautiful horses to consider helping this organization through volunteering and/or financial support.