MT: How long have you served as the Marketing and Development Director of SHARE?
I joined the SHARE Team as Director of Marketing and Development in June 2023 and just hit my year mark. Best decision ever.
MT: Tell me about why you decided to join SHARE.
My son, Gavin, is autistic and was diagnosed when he was 3. It was an emotional shift for my family. At that time, we drastically sought support and resources as we navigated the special needs journey and quickly learned that our local area was challenged in that capacity. Much of the support we later learned would come in the form of SHARE. We've been a part of SHARE for the last 4 years and it has changed my life, and my family's. I have experienced firsthand the impact it makes on not just yourself, but also your family through its respite nights, support groups, holiday events, and... friendships with other families. Gamechanger. We know we are not alone.
I knew how much of difference it has made for us, and wanted to see how I could help. As an advocate for special needs support and anything autism related, I took on a personal goal to help other families where I can. An opening on staff presented, I have a professional experience in what the position needed, and I knew it was the right fit. My heart was all in.
MT: How do you ensure that your programs are inclusive to individuals with a range of disabilities and special needs?
The core of SHARE is to provide support programs and services to Permian Basin families raising children with special needs and disabilities - at no cost to those families. We understand the circumstances and adaptability needed to ensure those services are available and accessible to those who need them because we, too, have experienced it on that side. Several on the SHARE Staff are special needs parents. We approach all events and programs from a very considerate angle to ensure all feel welcome, seen, and included. The SHARE Staff also undergoes CPR and CPI trainings to ensure safety is maintained as well. The families are in good hands with us!
MT: What strategies do you employ to raise funds and secure resources?
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we can host and facilitate two annual fundraisers - their impact is crucial to us being able to offer our support programs to families at no cost. We employ various community partners to help carryout these events, knowing that the goals render media strategies, donation focus, and special needs experience. So many of our partners have also experienced or have someone they know who has a special needs or disability - it's amazingly more common than not. As a parent, I thrive on those relationships and get excited to meet other families. As a SHARE employee, I get excited to be able to connect with others who may need our services and collectively funnel efforts to help support local families like ours. Partnerships with SM Energy, Market Street, United Supermarkets (to name a few) and other agencies and sponsors have been such catalysts into much of our ability to do what we do and need to do.
Our annual SHARE Walk was this past April, and through a huge team effort to transition to another venue in the 11th hour due to weather, it was a success and raised an organization record-high amount for this event of $110,857.88! Our sponsors, community partners, families, SHARE Staff, volunteers, and families all made that 100% possible and it's one of my proudest moments so far - It was amazing to see it all come together and feel the true fellowship and heart present in the Horseshoe that day. Happy faces!
MT: How can the community support SHARE?
The community is such a critical partnership for us as our organization continues to grow and reach new families. Support comes in various ways - referrals for families that may need our services, opportunities to speak at companies to their employees about what we offer, and volunteers - we can always use volunteers to help with events and programs. Financial support is also always welcome as we are grant and donation funded to be able to offer support at no cost, and any amount makes an impact with us!
Also - so many of our families crave event options and activities with our kiddos! We love community engagements and we want to go, but often are unable to for different reasons or we simply cannot. When sensory events or special needs-considerate options are offered - we love it! Please continue to support and encourage these events, as they do make a difference.