The Valley’s personalized program for young adults on the neurodiversity spectrum, SEEDS for Autism, will open its companion gift and thrift shop, SEEDS Garden of Treasures, at 3420 S. 7th St., Suite 2, at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7.
The grand opening will feature a variety of festivities, in addition to offering the public its first opportunity to browse the store’s eclectic range of sale items. The new store showcases the unique arts and crafts, gift bags and cards created by SEEDS for Autism program participants against a 10,000 square foot backdrop of high-end thrift items ranging from adult and children’s clothing and accessories to furniture and home goods, kitchenware, books and more.
“At its Garden of Treasures, SEEDS job coaches will work alongside students to provide them with customer service training that emphasizes how to listen and navigate independently to efficiently respond to customers’ needs,” said SEEDS director Mary Ann LaRoche.
For 15 years, the organization has combined craft skill instruction – woodworking, sewing, jewelry, media, computer skills, art, photography and videography, gardening, welding and blacksmithing – with social development and communication programs that help young adults learn to effectively and appropriately interact with others. Its current student body includes about 90 young adults taught by a staff of 25 instructors and assisted by eight volunteers.
The organization is always looking for more volunteers. To learn more, call 602-253-4471 or visit www.seedsforautism.org.
