Where the System Ends, CAA Begins. We Built the College We Couldn't Find. CAA Story #29: Parent Volunteer Sonia

When Sonia S. first learned about CAA, she never could have imagined how much the community would become a part of her daily life. Sonia’s son does not speak very much, so Sonia would volunteer in his classes to help out. But when her son was ready for college, he saw his sister going to college and wanted to go as well.

Sonia started looking for a “college” program that would fit her son's needs, and learned about CAA through her husband who met cofounder DeAnna Pursai through his involvement in Rotary. When they learned more about CAA, and came in to experience its college-like environment, they knew it would be a great place for their son.

One of the things Sonia loves most about CAA is the dynamic environment it offers students. She feels like CAA encourages her son to make his own decisions, become more independent, and use his voice. Watching him grow and become more confident has made her experience with CAA incredibly meaningful, and keeps her coming back for more classes with him.

After being part of the CAA community for a few years, Sonia found herself wanting to give back and find ways to help the college. Sonia got to know the CAA staff really well by observing her son's classes, so when she saw a staff member's office covered in stacks of paperwork, she volunteered to help them organize and complete some basic administrative tasks. But in order to do that, she had to sign up as an official CAA volunteer.

Today, Sonia volunteers around the office, helps new volunteers learn their way around, and sits in on classes. She has found a way to contribute her time and support the place that has helped her son grow in ways she wasn’t even sure was possible.

For Sonia, CAA is more than a college for her son, it is a community that encourages independence, confidence, and self-advocacy.
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Written by Nina Pal

Volunteer