Associated Bank recognizes Autism Acceptance Month
In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, Associated Bank is highlighting a client that makes a difference every day in the lives of individuals with autism and their families.
The Family Achievement Center (FAC), based out of Woodbury and Bloomington, Minn., offers high quality occupational, physical and speech therapy services to people of all ages. Unlike traditional pediatric therapy models, FAC uses a family-centered approach, partnering with parents and caregivers to promote empowerment.
Sarah Mason, FAC president and co-owner, in her own words:
Why was Family Achievement Center created?
Family Achievement Center was founded on the ideal that every child and family deserves hope during challenging life circumstances. Founder and CEO Tom Hoel’s personal experience as the father of a child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy inspired the launch of a more family-focused, collaborative pediatric therapy clinic motivated through a mission and core values.
How do your services change the lives of the children with autism? How does it impact their parents?
FAC collaborates with caregivers to provide a family-centered approach to treat the whole child. In addition to our therapy services, we recently established the Family Achievement Foundation, a nonprofit arm of the business specifically founded to help parents and caregivers. We recently launched free programming with parent support groups, an education series, and a Journey Award program to recognize parents and provide monetary support.
What would you want someone with a newly diagnosed child to know?
Through the past 20 years, we have built a wonderful and supportive community with knowledge of a lot of tools and resources to help families along the way.
What makes your job meaningful? What makes you want to come to work each day?
At Family Achievement Center, the therapists and staff love to be a part of the care team that collaborates with their patients, families and other professionals to help the children and their families achieve their goals. We are more about our mission than we are a typical business out to make money. That sense of purpose and being part of something larger than yourself is extremely meaningful.
What makes Associated Bank the bank of choice for your business?
Throughout the years we have established a wonderful relationship with Associated Bank. They know who we are and care about our business and our success. While there are many financial institutions we could conduct business with, we believe in the relationship model and Associated has consistently delivered on that.
How can our colleagues or community members support your mission?
In addition to using or making a referral to the services provided by the Family Achievement Center, community members may support the Family Achievement Foundation through donations or volunteerism. Learn more at FamilyAchievementFoundation.org.
Associated Bank celebrates the unique abilities in everyone through disability awareness, education and programs that support the needs of their colleagues and communities. Associated’s workplace efforts are strengthened by the company’s seven colleague resource groups (CRGs) that work to create greater organizational awareness of and take specific actions to address the unique needs of diverse populations within the company and markets.