Message from Craig King, 
Executive Director

We are delighted to have a new consumer at our day program. His name is Chris, and he has wonderful and loving parents who are patient and kind. They are also committed to doing what is best for their son, even though many “experts” have told them to give up. Chris is on the autism spectrum and has developed much more successfully than “experts” predicted that he would.

He joined our day program at the beginning of the year and so is still finding his way with us as he is learning our routines and we are getting to know him. Things are going well with Chris so far, but that doesn’t mean things are always easy. He needs encouragement and coaxing to participate with the group, and he has a tendency to self-isolate. People with autism have a difficult time with change and coming to Greater Opportunities is definitely a big change for Chris. Despite this, we are all making progress with each other.

Chris’ moving personal story is revealed in correspondence between our Day Program Coordinator, Renee, and his mom, Pilar, who kindly granted permission to share these comments: Read more...

Craig C. King
Executive Director
Greater Opportunities
900 Lafayette Street, Suite 700
Santa Clara, CA 95050
408-248-4464 x23
cking@greateropp.org

2015 Fundraising Results

Thank you to the 61 generous donors who contributed to Greater Opportunities in 2015. We raised over $23,500 for the year.

Our fundraising goal for 2016 is $30,000 and we hope that we can count on your support again this year, as we can always use your help. To make a donation or to see items on our wishlist, please click here!

This Is Crazy - A Comedy Show About Autism

Comedian Kirk Smith, a Los Angeles-based father of a son with autism, will be presenting “This is Crazy: A Comedy Show About Autism,” in Palo Alto on February 20, 7pm. Buy your tickets through this link and 50% of your ticket proceeds go to Greater Opportunities! 
Buy your tickets here!

In California, Aid Withers For People With Developmental Disabilities

Surrounded by stacks of packages in a brightly lit room, Michael Palone gingerly folded a box and taped it shut. His eyes averted, he shuffled to the front of the warehouse to retrieve scissors, skirting by people and tables in his path.

Palone, 26, has mild autism originally diagnosed as Asperger's syndrome. That makes it nearly impossible for him to socialize with others and adjust to the constant changes of a full-time job. Instead, he assembles packages with about 40 others at a Union City, Calif., work center run by The Arc of Alameda County.

Read More...