SARRC Elects Michael Bill to Board of Directors
Michael H. Bill, the CEO of MJ Insurance, has been elected to Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s (SARRC) board of directors. “Our board of directors are an integral part of our success,” said SARRC President and CEO Daniel Openden, Ph.D. “Our board is comprised of community and business leaders who are deeply engaged in […]
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Wins Bid to Open Cafe at Burton Barr Central Library
The Phoenix City Council approved a contract permitting Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) to occupy vacant café space located inside Burton Barr Central Library. The five-year contract permits the operation of SARRC’s social enterprise program Beneficial Beans Café, scheduled to open in March 2017. Beneficial Beans Café will sell coffee and food items […]
Beneficial Beans Internships Help Pave the Road to Independence
This year was life changing for Kristopher, a 22-year-old adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the spring, after being connected to Beneficial Beans, SARRC’s social enterprise program, he embarked on two new experiences that helped him learn vital workplace skills—internships within the Beneficial Beans Cafe and Garden. “We were thrilled to learn that Kristopher […]
SARRC and Botanica at the Farm at South Mountain announce new partnership
Nationally, more than 90 percent of adults with autism (ASD) are unemployed or underemployed, but Beneficial Beans—a social enterprise business of Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)—is working on changing this statistic by providing employment-training opportunities for adults with ASD. These opportunities are funded through the sale of their products. To support these efforts, […]
Video Highlights Beneficial Beans’ Products with a Purpose
Beneficial Beans, SARRC's social enterprise business, does more than just sell coffee products – it provides hope to adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Beneficial Beans provides an opportunity for interns with ASD to gain valuable job and life skills, and secure meaningful employment that assists them on the road to independence. This special video testimonial from […]
Autism Speaks Walk in Partnership with SARRC Raises $875,000
On Sunday, October 23, more than 20,000 people from across the state gathered at Tempe Beach Park in support of the Autism Speaks Walk in Partnership with SARRC. The annual event raised an estimated $875,000 that will go toward supporting autism programs and research. Half of all monies raised during the walk will stay in […]
Early Diagnosis and Continued Services Help A Family on Their Autism Journey
When experts talk about autism, they note that early diagnosis and intervention can often make a world of difference. This is true for Chandler family Jenn, George and their 5-year-old son Derek who was diagnosed with autism at 16 months. “Our time at SARRC was and continues to be life changing,” Jenn says about her […]
Central Arizona Family Benefits from Intensive Parent Training at SARRC
Like most four years olds, John Michael of Bagdad, Arizona is a “giant bundle of energy,” according to his mom, Jennifer, a special education teacher. “He [John Michael] is outgoing, adventurous, loves the outdoors, and has a particular love of sprinklers and anything that spins,” Jennifer said. “He hasn't met a grasshopper he couldn't catch […]
PBS NewsHour Series “A Place in the World” Features SARRC, Thanks to Brilliant Storytellers John Donvan and Caren Zucker
John Donvan and Caren Zucker, highly acclaimed journalists from ABC’s Nightline, recently released their now New York Times best-selling book, “In A Different Key-The Story of Autism,” which documents the history of autism dating back to the very first person ever diagnosed. As part of their book tour, Donvan and Zucker visited Phoenix, Arizona and […]
Beneficial Beans Café Gets a New Look, Offers Same Great Coffee with a Purpose
Today, SARRC gathered with officials from the City of Scottsdale and members of the public to reopen the Beneficial Beans Café-Scottsdale, located at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library. It was a great morning event that featured a ribbon cutting, lots of great coffee and wonderful treats from our vendor partners such as Matt Cottle of […]