Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Are you passionate about fostering positive change in Arizona? Do you want to be part of a dynamic group dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families? We are seeking up and coming professionals to join SARRC NextGen! 💪 SARRC NextGen aims to involve the next generation of SARRC supporters in raising critical funds, engaging the community, volunteering, and increasing awareness and acceptance of autism. Who We Are Looking For: ✅ Members who are 40 or younger ✅ Demonstrate proven leadership professionally and within the community ✅ Work for or associated with a company that values philanthropy Opportunities as a SARRC NextGen Member: 💜 Networking with other members and the SARRC Board of Directors 💜 Engaging with SARRC’s research, programs and services 💜 Attending and supporting SARRC’s special events 💜 Volunteering at SARRC’s campuses 💜 Participating in board governance training and professional development workshops Your Impact: Your fundraising efforts and involvement will directly support the growth and expansion of our mission-critical programs and research for individuals with autism and their families. Application Deadline If you are interested in applying, please complete and return the application form by Friday, Sept. 20 to Lauren Smith at LSmith@autismcenter.org. Please note your application requires a SARRC sponsor to be considered. ➡ Download the application form at: https://lnkd.in/gZiahKAs

Daniel Openden, president and CEO of Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), knows that democracy is all about inclusivity. We greatly appreciate that he's using his voice to spread the word. Thank you, Daniel! There's so much more we can accomplish when we provide opportunities for everyone. #VoteTheSpectrum

Watch the video recap! 🎥 Almost one month ago we took the first swing (literally!) towards building SARRC’s Kathryn G. Bosco Mesa Campus! 🤩 Last month's sledgehammer ceremony was attended by teams from Willmeng Construction, Inc. and LAST Architects, SARRC Capital Campaign members, donors including Kathy and Mike Bosco, and SARRC Board members. Scheduled to open in January 2025, our new campus marks a significant milestone in SARRC's Strategic Plan to establish nine "brick-and-mortar" locations across Arizona by 2030. Our partners at Willmeng Construction have produced a short video to commemorate the special day! Watch the video below 🎥

SAVE THE DATE! SARRC is excited to celebrate the 4th annual YES Day Walk for Autism™ with our supportive community on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at Tempe Beach Park! This year, we are thrilled to introduce a 1-Mile Family-Friendly Walk during the event! 🤩 SARRC YES Day walk teams are invited to join our inaugural community one-mile walk at their own pace, offering a fun and engaging way to boost your 2024 fundraising efforts! Opening Ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., with an instructor-led stretch session to warm up our attendees for the Walk. Following the walk, participants can enjoy all the activities our fourth annual event has to offer! Leading up to the event, we encourage our community to register in advance to help raise funds, awareness and acceptance! Start your team, join a team, or register as an individual at yesdayforautism.org! 💜

Tomorrow! Our friends at First Place AZ are hosting Spark the Spectrum—a free, accessible voting workshop with Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer tomorrow, Tuesday, June 25 at Ability360 from 3 to 5 p.m. Learn more and register below!

SARRC is proud to stand by and support our LGBTQ+ community! 💜 As an organization built on the values of inclusion, we think it's important to shine a light on the intersection between the autism and LGBTQ+ communities as people everywhere continue to celebrate Pride Month! Studies have recently shown a higher rate of LGBTQ+ identities among autistic individuals compared to the neurotypical population. In honor of Pride Month, here are some ways our supportive, inclusive community can better support individuals with autism and an LGBTQ+ identity: 🌈 Validate an individual’s identity: People with autism and an LGBTQ+ identity have reportedly experienced loved ones around them invalidating their identity, stating their autism makes them unprepared to determine their LGBTQ+ identity (Miller et al., 2020). Validating a person’s judgment and sense of self is a simple action that will greatly affirm someone’s identity! 🌈 Honor an individual’s identity: If an individual with this identity discloses preferred pronouns to be referred to by, honor them. Extending this acceptance of their identity will make them feel supported and heard. 🌈 Create a safe and accepting environment: Foster an atmosphere of acceptance, love and support within your community. Help to educate and inform others. 🌈 Respect an individual’s identity: Show respect and provide quality services regardless of someone’s identity. If you are unsure or have questions, strive to ask in a considerate, tactful, and thoughtful way! To read more, visit our blog at https://lnkd.in/gQZKRwVQ!

On June 6, SARRC held a Sledgehammer Ceremony to celebrate the renovations underway at its newest and fifth campus, located at Power and McKellips roads in Mesa. The event was attended by SARRC’s leadership team, representatives from Willmeng Construction, Inc. and LAST Architects, along with prominent SARRC supporters, as SARRC ceremoniously began demolition to make way for the new Kathryn G. Bosco Mesa Campus, set to open in January 2025. “SARRC celebrates a monumental moment as we begin work on our new Kathryn G. Bosco Mesa Campus,” says Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA-D. “The swinging of the hammers signifies not just the expansion of our physical footprint, but a deepening commitment to building inclusive, supportive communities throughout Arizona.” The new Mesa campus will house a fourth Community School —an inclusive preschool for children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children ages 15 months to 5 years, along with the Comprehensive Behavioral Program—a program where one-on-one ABA-based treatment is implemented in the home and in the community. Read the full update below!

Our #FeelGoodFriday shout-out goes to the Scottsdale Charros, who have generously awarded SARRC a $5,000 grant to support our Community School program! 🥳 This generous funding will specifically support our Scottsdale Paiute Campus, one of three Community School locations, and will allow families increased access to a high-quality early education program, enriching the lives of young children with and without autism. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support and dedication of the Scottsdale Charros to SARRC's mission! 💜 We’re currently enrolling young learners across all three campuses in Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale! If you’re interested in learning more about our inclusive preschool program, please visit https://lnkd.in/gAMJXXaP or call 602-606-9806.

Are you a local or national employer looking to foster a more inclusive workplace? SARRC’s newly revamped Employment Partnerships program provides training to help your organization create a more inclusive workplace for individuals with autism spectrum disorder!   Learn more about our Employment Partnerships program, including its numerous advantages, various participation levels, and more, by visiting ➡️ https://lnkd.in/drhh_kxV ⬅️   💪 See your impact in action: Discover how you can make a meaningful impact and enhance independence for individuals with autism like Max at Fine Timepiece Solutions! Watch the video below!

We're #hiring a new Executive Assistant to the CEO in Phoenix, Arizona. Apply today or share this post with your network. Learn more below or at autismcenter.org/careers!