leo and i volunteered at pace (http://www.pacificautism.org/) on friday. as the fullname (pacific autism center for education) implies, this facility targets kids (well, three to 22 years of age) with autism. many of the students there are low-functioning and non-verbal.
i first became aware of pace at the recycling center of the sunnyvale dump last weekend. there was a van in the center with the hood up. the passenger in the front seat was smacking himself in the head and yelling. maybe it was my upbringing or conditioning, but i've never been affected by such things. i walked up to the driver, and offered a jump. (a lesson i learned as a teenage with a car that would constantly break-down... always carry a set of jumper cables.)
anyway, the van was from pace, and we started talking about the program there. i was impressed that, first of all, jv had been at pace for around six years. i was also impressed with how he described pace. i mentioned i had a dog that might do good at the center, and said i'd come by later in the week.
i went by the center on wednesday and met with the assistant director. i was again impressed with his knowledge and concern for the people there. leo was his usual outgoing self. :)
friday was a lot of fun. leo and i arrived at the center at 1 pm, and stayed until 2 pm. many of the kids (and staff) really connected with him. some realized soon enough that if they ran, leo would follow. there was a lot of running that day. the day went exceedingly well. the only mishap came when one of the kids bit some of leo's hair. leo wasn't phased, and neither was i. i think the main lesson there was not to have leo picked-up. i also kept the harness and (16-foot) leash on him at all times... just so i could pull him away if needed.
i think that more folks should bring pets into situations like this, but it is necessary to be very aware of what is happening. it requires a lot of concentration, but is rewarding in the joy it bring to the kids, and also in the feeling that it is the right thing to do.
i'm starting the full background check next friday. they can use help in other areas, and i want to leave that option open. also, i have a ma in education which i've never really used... it'd be nice to do something with it.
i'm sitting in the dana street coffee house as i write this, listening to jazz. i've been coming here for the past few weekend. the jazz is good, and so is the coffee. i'm sitting next to bags of beans and the roaster right now. it is called "the san franciscan". the band just got finished playing "my blue heaven".
well, it's last call for coffee, so i'd better post this before we're kicked out
