It is Volunteer Appreciation Week and at the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC), we are grateful for the many volunteers who support our mission to improve the lives of individuals with autism, support their families, and educate communities. Whether volunteering at Camp Royall, helping at a Run/Walk for Autism event, or leading one of our many Support Groups across the state, our volunteers give generously of their time and talent. They bring passion and commitment to all they do, and that means more awareness, help, and support for those North Carolinians impacted by autism.
Danielle Abbott, Iredell Support Group Volunteer
Danielle Abbott is one such volunteer. The mother of a 20-year-old autistic son, Danielle volunteers as ASNC’s Iredell County Support Group Leader. ASNC Support Groups are led by parents or family member volunteers who join with other concerned individuals to create a welcoming and inclusive support community for individuals with autism and their families.
“The Nancys”
When Danielle’s son Eli received his diagnosis of autism at age seven, she faced challenges finding the support and information she needed to best help her child. Ultimately, she found the Autism Society of North Carolina where she met “the Nancys,” as she refers to them: Autism Resource Specialist Nancy Popkin and now retired Autism Resource Specialist Nancy Nestor. “They just scooped me up,” says Danielle, “and connected me with resources, went with me to my son’s IEP meetings; they were my confidants, allies, and great supporters.”
Giving back
When she learned that Iredell County needed a support group established, Danielle felt it was an opportunity to give back to “the Nancys” and help other families like hers. “I was a trained social worker at the time of my son’s diagnosis,” she shares, “and if I couldn’t find the help I needed as someone in the service field, I thought then how can others find help. That’s been a driving force for me as a volunteer and in my professional life.”
Since beginning her journey with ASNC, Danielle has earned a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders along with two master’s degrees: one in special education and one in school administration. She also holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a cognate in special education. In addition to her volunteer work, she coordinates services for all special populations at Langtree Charter School.
While Danielle’s personal experience and professional expertise enhance her work as Support Group Leader, she will tell you that being a Support Group volunteer enriches her life and has helped her family “in so many ways.” Volunteering is a family affair for the Abbotts. Her husband helps by connecting with other dads joining the group, Eli watches Support Group parents’ children during the meetings, and their therapy dog Finn and Eli’s service dog Fergie, are part of the group and its activities.
“It’s so important for people living the autistic experience to hear from others who are on the same journey,” says Danielle. “The Support Group provides people with solace and understanding, with information and hope. That’s why I’m a Support Group volunteer – to help others who may be struggling to find the support and community they need, just as the Nancys helped me.”
Jesaya Hargrove, Pender County Support Group Volunteer
“I’ll do it.” That’s what Jesaya Hargrove said recently when she learned the Pender County Support Group needed a new volunteer leader. The mother of a five-year-old son on the spectrum, Jesaya, who joined the group three years ago after relocating to North Carolina from Texas recalls “I had no friends when I moved here. The Support Group connected me with people who really understood my situation.” She has found some of her closest friends through the Support Group and so has her son.
Volunteer and advocate
Jesaya, also diagnosed as autistic three years ago, is an active and committed advocate for individuals on the spectrum. In addition to her volunteer work as Support Group Leader, she has been very active in her public-school community. Finding little support or information for parents of special needs children, Jesaya successfully campaigned for the establishment of a Special Education PTO which now supports families in all 20 Pender County public schools. As president of that Special Education PTO, Jesaya wants “to make sure kids with disabilities are able to learn. My own experience tells me we need to make it easier for parents to figure out what their kids need and then give them access to that.”
Jesaya also volunteers with the NC Child Advisory Council, has developed her own resource guide for autistic families, and established a Facebook page for New Hanover and Pender Counties where she shares information and resources. Her advocacy and volunteer work on behalf of the autistic community is invaluable in her role as ASNC Support Group Leader. Thanks to her efforts, more families are finding the supports and resources they need to build their best lives.
With thanks
Like Danielle and Jesaya, our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a range of experiences and skills to their roles. They appreciate the opportunity to hang up their career hats to explore personal experiences and engage socially as ASNC volunteers. We are grateful to Danielle, Jesaya, and all our Autism Society of North Carolina volunteers who make a difference every day for those in our autistic community.
If you are interested in becoming an ASNC volunteer, please visit the Volunteer page on our website. If you are looking to learn more about supports and services in your area, please visit our Talk with a Specialist webpage to connect with an ASNC Autism Resource Specialist.
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