My Nonprofit Reviews
Mary Bonds
Review for Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
I have an autistic granddaughter that I have adopted and raised since the age of 7 months. Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center was not around when she was first diagnosed with autism. When I first started taking her to SARRC, it was amazing the things that I discovered that they were doing for the children. She quit talking when she was 15 months of age. It took almost 4 years for her to become verbal again, allbeit just one word. There came a time that SARRC began Life Skills classes with her. They teach the children to make simple meals, how to wash clothes; teach hygiene and so many other things that allow a child like mine to be able to live somewhat independently. The other thing that my child has learned is socialization. There is a monthly "Monday Night Out" at the Life Skills Building. They have dinner, interact with the staff and each other. My child loves going there. She has found it easier to interact with others that are like her. She also has mild mental retardation, so there will be other things that she will not be able to do and will have to have a guardian after I am gone. I do volunteering there and love doing it and I love the staff; they are just wonderful. I also attend the monthly Grandparent's Meeting (or get-together) that they provide. There will be great speakers at those meetings that provide a lot of help and knowledge to the grandparents, some of which are raising their autistic grandchildren such as I am doing. I just cannot say enough about the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC).
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
All the ways and then some that I listed in my note above
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
like to see them maybe be able to take those that are over the age of 19 to the camping experience at Whispering Hope Ranch although not necessarily at the same time that the younger teenagers go.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
There really is nothing more that they could do to improve.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Probably did not teach me a new skills but did meet a lot of wonderful people; and is certainly helping to keep me young.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Like I was doing something that mattered; something that would help others.
