At the heart of every meaningful endeavor lies a personal connection, a driving force that propels individuals to make a difference. For the founders of Unomojo, Mo and Jo Rojas, their son Payton serves as that driving force. Payton’s journey with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has shaped their perspective and compelled Unomojo to support the Autism Academy for Education and Development (AAED), an accredited school that champions the academic, social, and behavioral success of K-12 children with ASD.
When Mo & Jo embarked on the daunting journey to find the right educational environment for Payton, AAED’s approach and atmosphere prevailed as a beacon of hope in the commonly institutional landscape. AAED offers a flexible and personalized learning environment, featuring diverse curriculum, small group instruction, structured routines, and engaging activities. Throughout the day, students collaborate, communicate, think critically, experiment, and reflect. The result is a community of young people with autism who are valued, understood, and supported in leading fulfilling lives.
When we chose AAED for Payton’s education, we made a commitment to each other that we were going to give it our all and show up in a big way.
As Jo aptly puts it, “If you’ve met one child with autism, you’ve met one child with autism – each individual is different.” The academy’s commitment to individualized learning and support has prompted Unomojo to become actively involved in its endeavors. Jo serves as the president of the school’s volunteer board program, P3.
Through Unomojo, Mo and Jo have committed themselves to enriching the lives of 230 families at AAED’s Gilbert Campus. Unomojo provides quality, community-building experiences aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity. From organizing pumpkin patches, pancake breakfasts, water days, and dances, to identifying the need for shade structures and playground equipment, Unomojo does A World of Good for students and families.
Many families say they have never had these kinds of opportunities before. Unomojo dismantles stereotypes and affirms parents, reminding them that they are not alone on their journey. “I see the looks in parents’ eyes, and I’ve been there,” said Jo, who is intimately acquainted with the challenges and triumphs that families affected by ASD experience. “Having a child with Autism made me realize just how much the world needs to be a little bit softer, a little bit more understanding, and a little bit more accepting.”
Additionally, Mo & Jo empower AAED’s families with valuable knowledge and resources they have acquired, contributing to the collective growth and well-being of the campus community. By sharing resources for health, housing, safety, and more, Mo and Jo have formed meaningful friendships and built a strong sense of unity with fellow parents and staff members.
Unomojo’s dream is for individuals, like Payton, to find their place in a world that embraces them wholly and allows them to thrive. Autism Academy for Education and Development is doing A World of Good for the cause. Your gifts provide ASD children with comprehensive, educational programming based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
#aWorldOfGood
