Launched by Grassroots.org, Faces of Change is a series of videos that highlight how individuals are contributing to change in their communities. Our latest video is from:
Michelle Solomon started SIFF (Sharing Interests Forming Friendships) club back in the fall of 2009. After working as an Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist for a year and a half to a girl with autism as well as being in the peer coach classes at school for a semester, she realized she was able to form friendships with those mentally challenged students. Solomon wanted to share her passion with others and show them the similar interests high school students and special needs students have in common, so she created SIFF in order to break down those barriers and encourage them to form friendships. She worked with Youth Venture and presented to get a $1,000 grant with two of her friends. The hope for SIFF is that someday it can grow and become a national club. Solomon says, "the reason the club has been so successful and sustainable so far, is because everyone in the club is so supportive of my efforts and what we do". Michelle Solomon will be heading to Western Washington University in the fall of 2010 to study recreational therapy and she says "she can't wait to check back in with SIFF, or even create another one while she's there"!
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