A Message for our Community
Dear friends, 
 
Like so many others, we at Arizona Autism United are deeply saddened by recent events in which the lives of Rayshard Brooks, Dion Johnson, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many other victims were taken. We stand with those who have been marginalized and discriminated against for far too long. We firmly believe that racism and senseless violence have no place in our society.  These beliefs are represented in our values: 
 
Grow with Purpose  
AZA United was formed by parents who recognized that under-served families needed more help. We began with a focus on providing quality services for minority populations and parents who needed resources in their native language.  Ever since then, our mission has been to help as many families as possible in our community, and our approach has always been to meet families where they are. By doing that, we believe in celebrating who they are, just like we celebrate the uniqueness of each child. Our commitment to diversity has always been represented by the different shades of blue in our puzzle heart logo.  As we continue to grow, our pledge to support diverse populations with intent and purpose is now stronger than ever.   
 
Be of Service  
AZA United is committed to the model of I.D.E.A:  Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. We have always felt a responsibility to expand our reach to under-served families, and now it is clear that we need to do more for those that are most vulnerable and in greater need of support. We are absolutely committed to service and program delivery free of prejudice based on sex, race, age, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic status, or religion.  
 
Stay Informed  
It is critical that we listen to the voices of those that we serve and employ so we can steer our focus where it is most needed.  We believe that actions must follow to be part of the solution.  As a first step, we have recently formed a new  Diversity Committee  to identify what we can do better in regards to diversity, equality and social justice. If you have thoughts or ideas to share, we would greatly appreciate your input. Please take a moment to complete this survey to help us identify priorities for change and opportunities for improvement. 
 
Bring People Together  
The uniqueness of our families, employees and supporters is reason to celebrate and embrace what we all have in common. We are all humans, and we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  No one should have to live in fear because of who they are.  It is our commitment to bring people together and contribute to a world filled with kindness, compassion and understanding.  We serve and support people of all diverse backgrounds, and today we stand in solidarity with the black community. Together, we can build a better tomorrow. 
Arizona Autism United
602-773-5773
www.AZAunited.org