PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 A Valley thrift store is helping adults with autism find a sense of belonging while offering shoppers a way to save money.<\/p>\n
Seeds for Autism<\/a> operates Garden of Treasures<\/a>, a thrift store where all proceeds support programs for adults on the autism spectrum. The store sells clothes, toys and electronics.<\/p>\n Trinity Washburn, a participant in the program, works at the store and said the experience has changed her life.<\/p>\n \u201cMy experience with autism has been real rough for me because sometimes I listen to what people are saying, but I can\u2019t fully register the task,\u201d Washburn said. \u201cSo, being here has helped me basically figure out how to communicate with people.\u201d<\/p>\n Building skills and confidence<\/p>\n Mary Ann LaRoche, director of Seeds for Autism, said participants often arrive believing they cannot accomplish tasks.<\/p>\n \u201cThese guys come to us, and they\u2019ve been told that they can\u2019t do things, feel like they can\u2019t do things, and so they need a resource, a place where they can feel like they belong,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n LaRoche\u2019s mission is personal. Her brother was diagnosed with autism in the 1970s, when resources were limited.<\/p>\n The organization teaches woodworking, sewing and other skills. LaRoche said the programs go beyond job training.<\/p>\n \u201cThey learn to work through anxiety and their coping skills that they need to help them to breathe, to know that they\u2019ve got support when they have a feeling of overwhelmingness,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n Washburn said the skills she has learned extend beyond the workplace.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s also helped me in my personal life, how to be organized, how to stay focused, how to basically complete a goal, and how to not let basically my negative thoughts overwhelm me as much,\u201d Washburn said.<\/p>\n LaRoche said she has seen participants transform over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see that they are feeling a sense of pride and feeling like they can do something,\u201d she explained. \u201cThey\u2019ve been told that they can\u2019t, they believe that they can\u2019t, and now all of a sudden, they\u2019re in an environment that\u2019s supporting them and believing in them and encouraging them.\u201d<\/p>\n Some participants will eventually get jobs. Others will learn cooking skills. The organization also offers summer programs for adults with autism who want to participate.<\/p>\n The thrift shop is located on 7th Street, jut south of Interstate 17<\/a>. The store is closed this week for summer break but is typically open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n