Individual Community Building
Because individuals with autism often have difficulty with social skills, Erik’s Ranch & Retreats actively encourages relationships with families, caregivers and beyond – to a larger network of community members and volunteers from around the country and world. We call it individual community building.
Voluntourists and other visitors who stay at an Erik’s Ranch & Retreats location will get to know our residents through their talents or the job they’re performing in their everyday work running our facilities. And, guests who participate in our Experience Guide program will deepen their familiarity and appreciation. In the Guide program, our residents both share their talents and lead guests on experiential outings as knowledge experts in a topic area such as music, history or skiing. Activities will be as diverse as accompanying a skilled resident equestrian on a trail ride while he or she explains the intricacies of caring for horses or preparing an exquisite gourmet meal with a resident sous chef as he or she coaches you on specific cooking methods.
The shared experience will have a lasting impact on both resident and visitor, offering insight beyond autistic behaviors to the unique people our residents are. What’s more, these relationships can be safely sustained over time through email and photo and video sharing on Facebook and other social networks, linking our residents to a large and caring community of extended friends.
