In May 2019 , The Flo and Tony Guzman Community Center opened . This 10,000-square-foot community center was built to provide a place for our students to be active and a place for the surrounding community to gather for a myriad of events .
Individuals with autism have higher rates of obesity , depression , anxiety , stomach issues and sleep problems . Therefore , maintaining healthy and active lifestyles is especially important for the individuals who we serve . Our Community Center provides a flexible space where our toddlers , students and adults can exercise , engage in sports activities , and have fun .
This space , though , is more than just a place for exercise , activity and well-being . It is a place for gathering — for Faison and for the community . Our community supports us , and we want to support our community . Therefore , Faison is committed to making this space available to community groups and other non-profit organizations . In recent years , it has hosted an international conference of the Organizational Behavioral Management
Network , town halls for Autism Speaks , the Richmond Bridge Association , children ’ s birthday parties , Faison ’ s own Action for Autism gala , and community trainings with local law enforcement about how to interact with individuals with autism and other disabilities .
Nicole R ., a Faison physical education teacher , reflected on the most recent law enforcement training at Guzman : “ It was an awesome day , there were a ton of officers here . For some of our students , it was really unique to have that opportunity to engage and interact with a person in uniform in a non-intimidating situation . There ’ s really no other way to do that without somewhere like Faison to facilitate that interaction .”
“ To have this space and all this equipment to provide students with things they might not encounter anywhere else , that ’ s so meaningful . For example , seeing a student who ’ s never thrown a frisbee before grow to love it , that ’ s so special .” - Nicole R ., A Faison School Physical Education Teacher
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