The Sahaurita - Green Valley Family Support Network was started in 2012 by a few parents in Sahaurita that wanted to form a support group for local families with kids, teens, and adults with special needs, as there weren’t many resources in the area. 
Jamie Comeau started a FB group to share information with hopes to reach more families. This group is the main contact for these families, aside from their email. 

In 2013 Hania Medrano joined to help run the group along with Jamie Comeau. 
Hania has a 14 year old son with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and ADD. 
Jamie has an 19 year old non verbal son with Autism and a 17 year old son with Autism and Anxiety. 
So making this group a success was truly heartfelt and meant the world to the both of them. 
Just 2 moms that wanted to make a difference for families like theirs!!

Jamie and Hania spoke with the staff at the Rancho Sahuarita Clubhouse about what they wanted to do for families in/and around the community, and the types of events they wanted to host, to bring the families in the group together. The clubhouse staff agreed to sponsor the groups events, and so far they have been amazing at helping last 4 years!
Hania and Jamie host a themed event almost every month for these families.
The events can be a visit with Santa in December, an Easter Egg Hunt in March, or a Valentine’s Dance in February, just to name a few. 

They rely solely on donations (wether it be monetary, food, supplies for specific events, volunteers, gifts of talents, such as DJ's or personal business such as Limo rides for prom & bounce houses for Autism Awareness Day, etc) as they are not a non profit. Sometimes they pay for costs out of their own pockets when the donations just aren’t enough. They do everything they can to make these events a safe and fun environment for the group. 
They started an annual Autism Walk around Sahaurita Lake that takes place on April 2nd, and held their 4th walk this year. 
They organize a Prom for everyone 15 and older which is held in May.
In the fall they also have a Homecoming Dance for ages 15 and up. 
Aside from the monthly events, they also have play dates for the little ones, Moms Nights Out so the moms can just get a chance to chat and unwind, and when needed they meet up with new families to get to know each other and help with resources as much as they can. 
The closed Facebook page is currently at 364 members, just from Sahuarita and Green Valley. 
There, families can ask questions about doctors, specialists, schools, as well as applying for DDD, SSI etc.. Or just have a safe place to vent about hardships they are currently facing with their child’s diagnosis, or journey to get a diagnosis, as well as share in the joy of triumphsand growth with one another!! 

"Our hope and vision for the future is to find a sponsor that can help us with filing to become a 501C-3 to make the group it’s own non profit. 

"Once upon a time we all felt alone in our journeys, and at times even helpless. 
But with this group we have made some amazing connections with other families going through the same struggles of finding the right doctors and therapists for our kids. 
We’ve made lifelong friends who just get it, and our kids have found a place where regardless of their different abilities and diagnosis, they simply belong!!💙"