Office of Development and Alumni Relations 

Partners:  Saint Joseph's University Alumni Association and The Leo Kanner Center - Devereux Foundation, West Chester, PA, home and school to more than 250 children with mental retardation, autism, or behavioral disorders.

Program Defined:  Companion a child or young adult for a school year. Commitment level may be flexible based on the time volunteer has to put into the program. You can do something as simple as phone calls and letters, to more developed activities on Kanner Campus. You are also invited to participate with our friends in Kanner's annual events.

Ideas for Activities:

• Visit with new "friend" at Kanner Center events (e.g., Fall Festival, 10/5).
• Sports: Soccer, Basketball Games
• Read a book with the younger children.
• Deliver food baskets with the Kanner students at Thanksgiving time.
• Graduation/Service Learning Awards - Be there as a friend and support for kids who have no family with whom to share their incredible accomplishment.
• Bring your "friend" to SJU campus for a special event.

Training:  Participants will be provided an orientation to the Kanner Center's Programs, (residential, vocational, and educational), and to their innovative approaches to individuals with special needs. Volunteers can expect staff assistance in learning ways to interact with individuals with emotional, behavioral or developmental disabilities.

For more information about the Devereux Foundation, click here.