For the Hubbard family — parents Kathy and Bob, and their son Tyler, now in his 30s — autism intervention has been crucial in their journey.
“We were fortunate to get services when he needed them as a teen and adult,” they share. “The ability to receive coaching services earlier, on both the youth-side and adult side, was very important.”
During high school, the Hubbards connected with SARRC, enrolling their son in several inclusive volunteer and camp programs. As he became older and ready for a job, they turned to SARRC’s Employment Services program, where he learned resume writing and interview skills, and ultimately was a program instrumental in helping him secure employment.
Watching their son achieve his goals and independence has not only impacted his life for the better but also the entire family. “He lives on his own, manages his budget using tools introduced by SARRC, and works successfully. It’s all because we had the SARRC team at our side, watching and coaching us on how to reach these goals,” they share.
Tyler, their son, has spent the past four years on the maintenance team at a local Phoenix high school, commuting independently to and from work.
“I look at my own world, and I’m proud to be married for more than 50 years to Kathy,” says Bob. “We raised eight kids and started our own businesses 25 years ago — Hubbard Swim Family School and Camp Hubbard — that have positively impacted the lives of staff, and students, including those with special needs.”
Their desire to assist families with special needs, along with their own positive experiences, has moved them to take their gratitude one step further. The Hubbards were inspired to become a Multiyear Visionary Partner, where donors commit to a multiyear gift of five years or more to be invested into SARRC’s vital programs, services, and research. They hope their multiyear gift will have a positive impact and support people with autism across the lifespan, especially the continuation and expansion of support for adults as they look to become more independent in their lives and in the workplace.
Having SARRC available as a resource has been instrumental in the Hubbards’ lives. “We appreciated that SARRC needed predictability in their funding, and we wanted to help stabilize that,” they shared.
In 2025, Tyler decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and become an MVP himself — a full-circle moment for the Hubbard family.
“We think it’s incredibly meaningful that, after benefiting from so many SARRC services, he’s now able to give back as an MVP,” shares Bob.
The Hubbards look forward to SARRC being a model for other cities and states and sharing its message and techniques.
Are you interested in making a difference by becoming a SARRC Multiyear Visionary Partner? Learn more here.
