ASCEND

09/25/2026

💙 Sometimes the best resource for a family is another family who's already walked the road they're just beginning.

Would Prescott & Yavapai County families be interested in bringing back an Autism Family Support Group?

Before COVID, ASCEND hosted a support group for local autism families. We're considering bringing it back and want to know if there is enough interest in our community.

Our vision is a positive, welcoming place where parents and caregivers can share information and experiences about:

• Navigating schools, IEPs, and advocacy
• Finding autism-friendly doctors, therapists, and other providers
• Local resources and DDD services, behavioral health
• Challenges and successes at different stages of the autism journey
• And simply connecting with other families who understand

After more than 25 years of experience navigating autism, education, advocacy, and services, ASCEND has a lot of knowledge we're willing to share.

ASCEND would provide the meeting space, guidance, and support. But we need volunteers to help us get the program off the ground and eventually help facilitate it. Ideally, we'd like to develop a small group of parent/caregiver volunteers to help shape the program.

So we're asking:

Would you participate?
Would you be willing to volunteer?
What would you like to see from an autism family support group?

If you're interested, please comment below or send us a private message.

We want to see if our autism community is ready to reconnect. 💙

09/21/2026

This is your last week to get your raffle tickets for the ASCEND field trip fundraiser and get in on all the great prizes to be won! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/L9S8E7QLFARV4

09/07/2026

A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING, PLEASE. ❤️

We want to address something that occasionally creates an uncomfortable situation for autism caregivers.

Yes, sometimes you may see a female caregiver take a grown autistic man into the women’s restroom.

Before you assume the worst, please understand why.

Some men with profound autism are not cognitively capable of using a public restroom independently. They need their caregiver to help with toileting, clothing, hygiene, and safety.

They aren't there to gawk at women.

They aren't there to invade anyone's privacy.

They aren't “creeps.”

They are there because they need help.

And if their caregiver is a woman, sometimes the women's restroom is the only practical option.

Would we love to see more family or companion restrooms? Absolutely. They provide privacy and dignity for situations exactly like this. Unfortunately, they are still few and far between.

So if you encounter this situation, please pause before confronting the caregiver or making assumptions.

You may not be witnessing someone doing something wrong.
You may be witnessing someone caring for a person who cannot care for himself.

Please give us—and the individuals we care for—a little grace.

Different doesn't mean dangerous.
Needing help doesn't mean having bad intentions.

Sometimes, compassion simply means understanding what you're seeing. ❤️

09/02/2026

MORE THAN A FIELD TRIP and more than just another fundraiser: Be a part of something special and a chance to win a GREAT PRIZE!

Tickets are on sale NOW for ASCEND’s 3rd Annual School Year Fundraiser Raffle! HERE IS THE LINK:

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/L9S8E7QLFARV4

For many people, a field trip or community outing may sound like a simple day away from home or the classroom. For an ASCEND student or adult day program member, it can be so much more.

For many families, taking their autistic loved one into an unfamiliar environment can be an enormous undertaking. New places, crowds, sounds, changes in routine, transportation, and safety concerns can make experiences that others take for granted extremely difficult.

That is why ASCEND outings are so meaningful.

Our dedicated staff understand the individuals we serve and can provide the support, structure, and encouragement that allow them to successfully experience things they might otherwise never attempt.

A train ride. A wildlife park. A restaurant. A community event. A new activity. A new experience.

These moments can be profoundly life-changing.

Successfully trying something new can build confidence and expand what a student or member believes they are capable of doing. And that confidence often carries home. Parents may see their loved one succeed with ASCEND and gain the courage to try something new together as a family—something they may never have considered possible before.

That is the real impact of these outings.

When you purchase a raffle ticket, you aren't simply buying a chance to win a great prize. You are helping make these experiences possible.

Every dollar raised directly supports educational outings and community experiences for ASCEND’s K–12 students and adult day program members, including the staffing, transportation, planning, and individualized support these experiences require.

For individuals who are often underserved and may have limited opportunities to participate in these experiences, your support can open doors to a bigger world.

And this year, our community has responded in an incredible way. Generous business partners have donated an amazing collection of prizes for our raffle.

THE RAFFLE IS LIVE — TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/L9S8E7QLFARV4

THIS YEAR'S PRIZES INCLUDE:
• 2 Tickets to the Verde Canyon Railroad ~$300
• 4 VIP Box Seat Tickets to Opening Night 2027 Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo, incl parking (Kinda PRICELESS!)
• Hassayampa Inn – One-night stay + complimentary breakfast ~$300
• $100 Red, White & Brew gift card
• 4 Free Admissions to Out of Africa Wildlife Park ~$150
• Bend Hot Yoga – Five-Class Pass ~$100
• 2 Rounds of Golf at Stoneridge Golf Course ~$200
• Bearizona Carload Pass ~$150
• (2) $100 Ocean Blue Car Wash gift cards • Rosa’s Pizzeria – Large pizza & tiramisu ~$40
• $100 Fat Frog gift card + hat & T-shirt
• $100 Doc’s BBQ & Whiskey gift card + hat & T-shirt
• Club Pilates – $100 retail credit + classes pass
• True Beauty Salon gift basket ~$150
• (2) Fry’s Supermarket BBQ Grills + Charcoal ~$75 ea
• Williams Canyon Coaster & Tubing Ride Passes ~$300
• Papa John’s Gift Cards – $100 each
- Yavapai College Perfroming Arts Gift Certificate of $250

Follow ASCEND for ticket information, prize announcements, and updates. Winners will be selected and announced LIVE on social media. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT TO WIN...but you do need to at least buy a TICKET :) The more tickets you buy, the higher the chance at winning a GREAT PRIZE!

Help an ASCEND student or adult member experience something extraordinary!

08/26/2026

ASCEND’S 2026–2027 FIELD TRIP RAFFLE IS HERE!
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/L9S8E7QLFARV4
We are thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual ASCEND School Field Trip Fundraiser Raffle—and this year is our biggest and best yet.

Thanks to an enormous response from our incredibly generous local business partners, we have an amazing collection of prizes for our raffle ticket purchasers to win. From adventures and entertainment to dining, beauty, fitness, golf, and more, there is something for everyone.

PRIZES INCLUDE:
• 2 Tickets to the Verde Canyon Railroad ~$300
• 4 VIP Box Seat Tickets to Opening Night 2027 Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo, incl parking (Kinda PRICELESS!)
• Hassayampa Inn – One-night stay + complimentary breakfast ~$300
• $100 Red, White & Brew gift card
• 4 Free Admissions to Out of Africa Wildlife Park ~$150
• Bend Hot Yoga – Five-Class Pass ~$100
• 2 Rounds of Golf at Stoneridge Golf Course ~$200
• Bearizona Carload Pass ~$150
• (2) $100 Ocean Blue Car Wash gift cards • Rosa’s Pizzeria – Large pizza & tiramisu ~$40
• $100 Fat Frog gift card + hat & T-shirt
• $100 Doc’s BBQ & Whiskey gift card + hat & T-shirt
• Club Pilates – $100 retail credit + classes pass
• True Beauty Salon gift basket ~$150
• (2) Fry’s Supermarket BBQ Grills + Charcoal ~$75 ea
• Williams Canyon Coaster & Tubing Ride Passes ~$300
• Papa John’s Gift Cards – $100 each
- Yavapai College Perfroming Arts Gift Certificate of $250

EVERY DOLLAR RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO ASCEND’S K–12 STUDENTS and ADULT Day Program members, helping provide educationally based outings, experiences, and field trips that give our students opportunities to learn, explore, socialize, and see the world beyond thier typical experiences.

This fundraiser has been a tremendous success for the past two years, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community and the generous businesses who have donated prizes to make this fundraiser possible.

Raffle tickets ON SALE HERE NOW with multi-pack discounts: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/L9S8E7QLFARV4

Winners will be selected and announced LIVE on social media -need not be present to win. Winners choose prizes in order they are drawn, so be sure to follow the ASCEND page and stay tuned for updates, ticket information, additional prizes, and announcements.

Buy a ticket. Win a great prize. Help an ASCEND student or member experience something extraordinary.

08/20/2026

ASCEND’S 2026–2027 FIELD TRIP RAFFLE IS COMING!

We are thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual ASCEND School Field Trip Fundraiser Raffle—and this year is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet.

Thanks to an enormous response from our incredibly generous local business partners, we have an amazing collection of prizes for our raffle ticket purchasers to win. From adventures and entertainment to dining, beauty, fitness, golf, and more, there is something for everyone.

PRIZES INCLUDE:
• 2 Tickets to the Verde Canyon Railroad ~$300
• 4 VIP Box Seat Tickets to Opening Night 2027 Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo, incl parking (Kinda PRICELESS!)
• Hassayampa Inn – One-night stay + complimentary breakfast ~$300
• $100 Red, White & Brew gift card
• 4 Free Admissions to Out of Africa Wildlife Park ~$150
• Bend Hot Yoga – Five-Class Pass ~$100
• 2 Rounds of Golf at Stoneridge Golf Course ~$200
• Bearizona Carload Pass ~$150
• (2) $100 Ocean Blue Car Wash gift cards • Rosa’s Pizzeria – Large pizza & tiramisu ~$40
• $100 Fat Frog gift card + hat & T-shirt
• $100 Doc’s BBQ & Whiskey gift card + hat & T-shirt
• Club Pilates – $100 retail credit + classes pass
• True Beauty Salon gift basket ~$150
• (2) Fry’s Supermarket BBQ Grills + Charcoal ~$75 ea
• Williams Canyon Coaster & Tubing Ride Passes ~$300
• Papa John’s Gift Cards – $100 each

EVERY DOLLAR RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO ASCEND’S K–12 STUDENTS, helping provide educationally based outings, experiences, and field trips that give our students opportunities to learn, explore, socialize, and experience the world beyond the classroom.

This fundraiser has been a tremendous success for the past two years, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community and the generous businesses who have donated prizes to make this fundraiser possible.

Raffle tickets will be available soon.

Winners will be selected and announced LIVE on social media, so be sure to follow the ASCEND page and stay tuned for updates, ticket information, additional prizes, and announcements.

Buy a ticket. Win a great prize. Help an ASCEND student experience something extraordinary.

07/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1azVywKL4s/

07/19/2026

We're hiring!!! Please share!

04/11/2026

As usual... the Prom last night was another EPIC SUCCESS! Thank you to the many folks with beautiful servant hearts who put in so much time and effort to make this such a great night for all!!! ASCEND'S staff are the best of the best and give so much of their hearts to better the lives of our students, adult members, and their families. We (Angie and Keith) can't adequately express our love and appreciation for you all. Pictures to be posted soon!

Mark your calendars! Open to all individuals with special needs 14+ with chaperone/families. We have room for 180 this year!!! Also we're looking for any sponsors who may want to help financially with door prizes, scholarships, decorations, etc.