activities · 8
what they do
direct service · 6
- Development of Oak Tree Ranch Independent Living Community Supported Living for IDDIs developing Oak Tree Ranch, a 31-unit independent living community designed as a specialized housing solution for adults with autism and related intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), which will house both neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals.
- Life Skills for Lifelong Independence Program Independent Living Skills TrainingOffers a 1-year program for teens and young adults (ages 16+) in Phoenix, AZ, focusing on kitchen skills, home/self-care, and executive functioning skills to promote lifelong independence.
- Online Resource Directory Community Resource Navigation & ReferralMaintains a self-service online Resource Directory to connect individuals with support service programs and resources, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, employment training, housing, and mental/behavioral health services.
- PEERS for Adolescents Course Mental Health Education ProgramsOffers a 16-week virtual PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) course, taught by a certified instructor, to teach social skills to teens, with separate sessions for parents/social coaches.
- Social Circle Program for Adults with Autism Adaptive Social and Recreational ProgramsOperates a membership-based Social Circle Program that hosts monthly social events, such as bowling and ice cream outings, for adults with autism to strengthen peer connections, improve social and emotional well-being, and promote community inclusion. In 2024, the program served 40 individuals and had 375 social event participants.
- Workforce Development Program Supported Employment for People with DisabilitiesOperates a program to support individuals with autism in obtaining competitive integrated employment in the restaurant industry, teaching both hard and soft job skills.
research · 1
- Community Health Needs Assessment Community Needs Assessment & ResearchConducts a Community Health Needs Assessment survey to understand the needs of individuals and families in the community.
capacity building · 1
- Certified Autism Center™ Designation Certified Autism Center OperationsAchieved designation as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) through staff training and certification in best practices for assisting autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
strategies · 6
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Community-funded support and housing model community-funded support modelRelies on community funding and support to sustain services and housing programs for young adults with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities, ensuring accessibility and long-term viability.
- Holistic well-being and empowerment framework holistic_wellbeing_frameworkApplies a comprehensive well-being model that strengthens individual, environmental, and social resources—such as psychological health and life skills—to empower adults with autism to improve their health, independence, and life outcomes.
- Membership-based engagement model membership_modelUses a membership-based structure to actively engage individuals with autism, facilitate access to social events, and distribute relevant information, fostering sustained participation and community connection.
- Partnership-driven housing development partnership-driven housing initiativeAddresses the shortage of safe and supported housing for adults with autism by proactively seeking partnerships and sponsorships to expand housing access and sustainability.
- Safe and supervised socialization environment safe_space_socializationProvides a safe, non-judgmental, and supervised setting where adults with autism can socialize, build peer relationships, and express themselves, promoting social acceptance and emotional well-being.
- Socialization through structured events socialization through eventsFacilitates social engagement and peer interaction for adults with autism by organizing structured social events that promote fun, connection, and community participation.
named programs · 7
what they call their work
Autism Center for Well-Being
A future center opening in 2026 aimed at strengthening individual, environmental, and social resources for well-being.
Community Resource Directory
Provides a self-service directory to connect individuals with support services and resources such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, employment training, housing, and mental health services.
Life Skills Program
A one-year program for teens and young adults (ages 16+) to foster independence, self-determination, and safety through modules on kitchen skills, home/self-care, and executive functioning skills.
Oak Tree Ranch Community
A planned 31-unit independent living community for adults with autism and related IDD, designed to be safe, supported, affordable, and inclusive of both neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals.
PEERS for Adolescents
A 16-week virtual course for teens (ages 12-17) to learn social and relationship skills, including friendship development, conversation skills, and handling disagreements. Parents/Social Coaches attend separate sessions.
Social Circle
Promotes socialization, social/emotional well-being, and community inclusion through monthly community-based events for individuals with autism.
Workforce Development
A program in partnership with the Arizona Restaurant Association to support individuals with autism in obtaining competitive integrated employment in the restaurant industry, focusing on hard and soft skills.
relationships · 26
who they work with
- 2024 Funders Funder — Provided financial support for Autism Life & Living's services and housing programs in 2024.
- Aira Partner — Marc Garcia, a board director, champions accessibility through partnerships with organizations like Aira.
- American City Business Journals Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, previously served as Director of Advertising at the Milwaukee Business Journal, which is part of American City Business Journals.
- Arizona Restaurant Association Partner — Teams up with the Arizona Restaurant Association to support individuals with autism in obtaining competitive integrated employment in the restaurant industry.
- Arizona Tech Council Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, serves on the board of the Arizona Tech Council.
- Bowlero Partner — Hosts Social Circle events at Bowlero venues for adults with autism.
- Cold Stone Creamery Partner — Hosts Social Circle events at Cold Stone Creamery locations for adults with autism.
- Columbia Trust Company Partner — Lena Gardea, Board Treasurer, is a Wealth Advisor, V.P, Private Client Advisor for Columbia Trust Company.
- Community Partners Partner — Collaborates with Autism Life & Living to empower young adults with autism toward independence and purpose.
- Dick Anderson Construction Partner — Rivers Anderson, a board director, leads the Phoenix branch of Dick Anderson Construction, his family’s business.
- Downtown Phoenix Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, serves on the board of Downtown Phoenix.
- Fry’s Food Stores Partner — Participates in Fry’s Community Rewards program, allowing shoppers to support the organization with a portion of their grocery purchases.
- Grand Canyon University Partner — Riley Kollbaum, Board Secretary, has worked with the L.O.P.E.S. Academy at Grand Canyon University, gaining insight into inclusive education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Greater Phoenix Leadership Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, is a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership.
- Hidden Disability Sunflower Program Partner — Marc Garcia, a board director, champions accessibility through partnerships with organizations like the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program.
- Integrity Building Corporation Partner — Dean Howard, a board director, serves as Vice President of Strategic Development for Integrity Building Corporation in Arizona.
- International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) Partner — Marc Garcia, a board director, led Mesa to become the nation’s first Autism Certified City through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
- Lisa Masters Partner — Founder of Autism Life and Living (ALL) who offers "The Social Circle" group.
- Maricopa County Partner — Partnered to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment for 2026.
- Phoenix 2030 Club Partner — Rivers Anderson, a board director, is an active member of the Phoenix 2030 Club, supporting initiatives focused on helping children and young adults.
- Phoenix Business Journal Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, is the Market President & Publisher of the Phoenix Business Journal.
- The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) Partner — Worked with IBCCES to be designated as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC).
- Visit Mesa Partner — Marc Garcia, a board director, is the President and CEO of Visit Mesa.
- Visit Phoenix Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, serves on the board of Visit Phoenix.
- Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University Partner — Ray Schey, a board member, serves on the board of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
- Wheel the World Partner — Marc Garcia, a board director, champions accessibility through partnerships with organizations like Wheel the World.