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Santa Fe Christian senior describes volunteer program supporting children on the autism spectrum
Summary
Mila Sonken, a senior at Santa Fe Christian School, told the Encinitas Youth Commission about her Autism Tree Volunteer Club and a program called Friendship Trios that pairs children on the spectrum with volunteers to help them form friendships.
Mila Sonken, a senior at Santa Fe Christian School, briefed the Encinitas Youth Commission on April 2 about her Autism Tree Volunteer Club and its work supporting families in San Diego.
Autism Tree is a nonprofit in San Diego that runs programs for children on the spectrum, Sonken said. She told commissioners that one program her club helped run, “Friendship Trios,” pairs two children with similar interests with a volunteer for a year-long program designed to help the children form lasting friendships.
Sonken described a range of volunteer activities her club has supported, including spa events, Halloween decorations, a winter-wonderland event and a charity golf tournament. She said Santa Fe Christian students are a consistent group of volunteers for Autism Tree and that parents have expressed gratitude for the club’s work.
"Children on the spectrum, like, they just wanna be loved and feel support," Sonken said, describing the club’s approach to peer interaction and volunteer training.
Commissioner Hubbell introduced Sonken and said she had worked with Sonken on yearbook staff; Sonken also said she plans to attend Harvard University in the fall.
No formal action followed the presentation; commissioners said the presentation fulfilled a goal of the youth health and safety ad hoc to educate the commission on major physical and mental health issues.
