My Nonprofit Reviews
CindyFacteau
Review for Autism Society San Diego, SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
I am the parent of two children on the Autism Spectrum. I have been a board member of the Autism Society San Diego for the past three years, and was inspired to join this all-volunteer board of directors as a direct result of seeing the incredible quality of programs available to individuals of all ages on the spectrum and their families. The incredibly low administrative costs (1 paid office employee!) and the fact that all local dollars stay here locally to help families really makes this one of the best organizations I have ever affiliated myself with. I love helping families, and the Autism Society San Diego is a perfect example of a grassroots organization that makes a BIG impact when it comes to making volunteer hours and donor dollars stretch to serve the maximum amount of people possible.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make sure more people knew about this incredible organization!!!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
Review for Re Spectrum Community, La Mesa, CA, USA
We enrolled our preschooler in ReSpectrum's Lil Athletes Soccer Program this year, and he has attended every session available since. We had never considered being able to have him involved in a sport before, because there are not many opportunities available for very young children with Autism to partake in such activities. Our teenager, who is diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder, was on a typical peer soccer league, and we would watch our younger son try to copy him, run out on the field, and show an obvious interest in the sport. We were overjoyed to find that there was a nonprofit devoted to programs specific to children on the Spectrum, because it finally afforded us the opportunity to get our little guy involved in a sport, and gave him a sense of belonging to a "team." We applied for a scholarship, and were graciously given an entire 6 week session, free of charge. My husband signed on to be a volunteer coach, giving him the opportunity to be a part of something that our son did recreationally outsid of therapy settings, which meant a lot to him, because he is a Marine, and often misses out on opportunities to get as involved as he'd like. The sessions were structured and fun for all involved, and on the days when we'd bring our older son, the coaches always found something for him to do to help out, which gave him the sense of being a role model for the younger kids. I was excited to attend each session, because I was able to watch my little guy gain so many useful skills, while feeling like he was just like any other small child on a sports team. It gave our family an opportunity to get involved, bond, and above all, experience that sense of "normalcy" that is not always easy to come by when you are the parent of a child with Autism. This unique organization has taken an entire community of parents, children, and siblings, and given them an infusion of hope, success, and inclusion. For that, and so many other reasons, we love ReSpectrum!!!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Everyday life! We can see the benefits that come from the Lil Athletes program in the way that our child responds to other recreational situations he is exposed to. His awareness has increased, and his sense of rules, team playing, and turn taking is also much better. He also seems much more confident with his own body.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change a thing! If I ould do anything, it would only be to clone the incredible people behind this program, so that more children and their families could experience the amazing types of programs that ReSpectrum has to offer!
