Common Ground Society creates a place for inclusion, education and belonging. In a world where everyone wants to belong, be heard and understood, Common Ground Society is unique in their approach to inclusion through education. Staff at Common Ground Society truly believes in the mission and vision and makes it their priority to make all feel welcome.
What Larkin and the team are doing for this non profit is exactly what our community needs. Their goals and vision for this non profit truly fills the soul. I have gotten to work along side of their team, and the programs and support groups that they provide are truly amazing. I can’t wait to see what the impact will be for the future of young children with disabilities in our community.
My family joined CGS in the midst of the COVID shutdown in 2020. Feeling scared, alone, sad, all those feelings you feel when your child is first diagnosed, CGS made me realize I had an entire community living the same path as mine. I'm forever thankful for the many opportunities CGS gives families like mine to meet up with other families who understand what my family is going through. I then decided to volunteer because I wanted to not only support other families going through a new diagnosis, but I wanted to also spread the word of inclusivity in our community and beyond. Through the opportunities CGS has given me, I have been able to meet with people in our community and also present to my employer.
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I have so many wonderful things to say about Common Ground Society but I’ll pick few cause we could be here all year. While in the midst of the pandemic, my son was diagnosed with a disability. I felt overwhelmed, lonely, confused, sad, and so on. I was lucky enough to hear about Common Ground Society from a friend. I was immediately accepted, welcomed by a group parents who understood me and what my family was going through. Common Ground constantly provides information about resources and has presenters present to us about those very resources. The other wonderful thing is the meetups. We are made to feel welcomed. It’s an opportunity for us to connect, offer support, and help each other out. I honestly don’t know how I could have gotten through such a difficult time in my life without Common Ground.
Our family loves the community we have found with Common Ground society! From the family meet ups, to the dad’s group and the Sibling workshops they really try and provide support for everyone. The FB parents group is a plethora of information and compassion. Thank you CGS!
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The Common ground society is such an incredible community. The support that our family has received through this organization has made all the difference in our lives. I only wish they had been around when our kids were younger.
The education that this group provides,to our local schools especially,is critical. The Mom , Dad and family meet ups are such a beautiful way to create connection for all of our families. We so appreciate all that they do.
Common Ground Society is very special to my heart. Something that stood out to me about CGS was the personal relationships they had with people in the community. Their dedication to educate and support their community is inspiring and encouraged me to get involved.
As someone who is new to the Common Ground Community, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about CGS. Instantly, I felt connected to the people and their mission. The passion, kindness, and community support within the CGS family is unique and something I haven't really seen elsewhere. I am proud to be a part of CGS
Common Ground Society has offered and afforded me a sense of community and belonging, as well as a valuable network of practical support and services in Sonoma County. Larkin is tops with us; her outreach efforts for inclusion and happiness are stellar. We are not alone; we are truly on common ground.
This non profit has been instrumental in building a foundation for our family. The education, acceptance and support has allowed our family to thrive in a world we once felt lost and unsupported in. We are truly grateful for CGS!
This is the most amazing group! I dont even know how i stumbled across them but its been an amazing adventure! Me and my son have always felt very included and comfortable. I have always gotten such great advice and heard from some amazing parents and i have learned just SO much! I love being able to come to a event or meeting and not feeling judged by the whole world,the entire time we are there. It helps so much to be heard too,it really does make a difference! Cant say enough about it!
Common Ground Society is responsive to the needs of the community it serves: families raising kids with all variety of special needs. They share information & resources, provide support in every way, and create connections within the community. As a mom of an Autistic child, all I wanted when my kid was diagnosed was to talk with other parents, to find my village. I’ve been a part of several groups, but CGS puts so much energy and love into the support they provide that they have become a hub in the special needs community.
I’m very new to this group. I’m very grateful and impressed with the kindness, support and knowledge shared. I have attended 1 family gathering at a local pumpkin patch. It was wonderful to see many other families with children that are special. There was face painting and tables decorated and treats. It was a wonderful experience. I look forward to more of these events. I also look forward to more conversation about our kids needs, at home and in the classroom.
The Common Ground Society is a truly amazing organization! As a parent of a child with disabilities I have found an incredible community with the other families who are a part of this organization. There is so much support, information and kindness to be found in the social media pages and the in person gatherings. I am so grateful to be a part of a group of parents and caregivers who understand the unique needs of children with disabilities and their families. I'm also incredibly appreciative of the work that the Common Ground Society does to encourage inclusion through their school and business presentations.
Words cannot express the gratitude I have towards this organization and the support they have offered thru the years!
Hello Belonging…..belonging is something I felt I didn’t anymore when I had my oldest son who is autistic/ADHD and then even more so with my youngest who had a liver transplant and is almost autistic/ADHD. It was hard to explain to friends and family why i couldn’t or didn’t want to attend functions, go on outings, why a certain playground didn’t work for us, etc.
I felt unprepared to navigate the world of IEPs, and felt alone. Carrying my son out of places like the childrens museum kicking and screaming as well as meltdowns or behaviors at the supermarket all had me feeling so alone.
Along came Larkin and CGS and I felt like we belonged. I didn’t have to explain behaviors at get togethers, or why a playground that’s not enclosed just wouldn’t work for us. Not just that, but my kids can attend events and go places with kids like them and other kids with differing abilities.
For an upcoming surgery for my youngest, someone dropped off a hospital bag on my doorstep that kept my son busy all morning at the hospital.
Larkin is the most supportive, non-judge mental advocate. I’ve vented & complained to her more times than I care to admit, but always have felt supported. I’ve made valuable connections with other families like ours, and can’t say enough how thankful I am to have the Common Ground Society to give us a sense of belonging and also fiercely advocate in the community for us as well.
We are fairly new to this nonprofit but they have been so helpful already! Having a child on the spectrum can be extremely difficult especially if no one in your family or friend group is dealing with it or have experience. I have been lucky enough to be able to ask this non profit Facebook group so many questions and advice. It’s been so nice finding a community that just understands some of the daily struggles but also those happy times. We were able to attend an event that the common ground society has put together and it was so fun/nice to be around the other families. Especially that understood conversations would be short since I had to run after my toddler every second. Overall they came into my life at perfect time and I’m so grateful.
Although I have not had the privilege of attending one of their inclusion assemblies at schools, I have heard wonderful reviews from fellow parents. The kids came home excited and ready to talk to their parents about what they learned and how they could implement it in their daily lives. Good work common ground society!!!
Such a supportive and caring presence in our community for a group who sincerely needs community and connectedness.
Common Ground Society is such an amazing organization. They offer valuable support and education for the community.
I choose to volunteer and donate my time with Common Grounds Organization because they show love, acceptance, and understanding. So often, people who have children with special needs don't know where to turn to for help. Common Grounds is a place where we can motivate ourselves and educate our community leaders like teachers, caregivers, police officers, neighbors, family, and friends regarding people who live with disabilities. It's essential to bring awareness regarding people's differences because that's the key to acceptance and respect. That's what Common Grounds is all about a place to come together on common grounds and make the world a better place for everyone.
CG offers a new belonging to families of special needs children. Their IG posts are uplifting and so reassuring that we are not alone.
Common Ground Society has helped educate our community how to be inclusive and accepting of those who have a visible or invisible disability. I have had multiple people tell me how much their child loved the presentations at the school assembly. My daughter's classmates engage with her and try to include her and accept her differences. Common Ground Society is making a kinder world for my daughter to live in. They have also created a community to help anyone that feels alone on a long road of caring for a child with a disability that they belong and that we will figure it out together. Having a daughter with a rare disease and lots of medical trauma our support was mostly online until Common Ground Society. They include all people with all diagnoses and all disabilities. We found our tribe and local support.
The Common Ground Society has helped me connect with other families in similar situations to ours. In a world that can make it feel so isolating to parent a child with special needs, these connections are invaluable!
What an amazing group! They are making a difference in this community helping others learn about inclusion! We are very excited to be apart of such an amazing group!!! Thank you so much common ground for all your hard work!! You truly amaze me!!
Common Ground Society provides an amazing assembly! They tailored their presentation to each grade range and offered an engaging, interactive assembly, encouraging students to BE THE ONE.
Common Ground Society is an amazing non-profit that promotes inclusion of disabled people and supports families who need information on navigating the system to get services. Their services are invaluable!
I remember the feeling of being lost alone , scared ect... after given the new my son has Down's syndrome.
The support I received from Common Ground has given me strength. I know that I am not alone the community that has built through common ground is amazing
I’m in constant awe of the community created by Common Ground Society. The learning, acceptance and belonging that comes with CGS is mind blowing. Each member of this community brings forth something special and important. I feel so lucky to be part of it.
Just Two Moms from Common Ground Society came to my school a couple years ago to teach about differences, acceptance, and inclusion. It was extra special because Melissa Staggs spoke about her son who has CdLS, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. My daughter has the same syndrome and I love children learning about her differences. My students love and accept her and through this exposure children are learning to be more inclusive and aware. Common Ground Society also provides me with a supportive community being a special needs mom. I feel fortunate to meet other families who just understand.
Larkin and the rest of CGS are amazing educators to everyone they come into contact with. This has been so instrumental in my life. They have changed how I see the world around me and the people in it.
We found CGS a year ago when we were struggling with our son’s behavior. He’s in the Autism Spectrum and ADHD. We needed support as a family, not only with resources, but with friends who “get it.”
I not only found friends, but a whole community of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things for families like mine.
Thank you CGS!