The Faison Center

10/31/2025

No tricks here – just treats and smiles from our Faison crew! 🎃

Happy Halloween to all our Pioneers and families!

10/29/2025

👏 A huge thank you to our friends from Brown Distributing- Richmond, VA for spending the day with us at The Faison Center campus!

This incredible volunteer team rolled up their sleeves to rebuild all of the walkways in our Outdoor Learning Center — giving our students, staff and families a refreshed and welcoming space to explore and learn. 🌿🪚☀️

We’re so grateful for your time, hard work and community spirit! 💙

10/24/2025

Welcome to the Peninsula School, Dr. Stacha Leslie-Trottier, BCBA! Get to know our new Senior Educational Coordinator.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻?
The primary reason I pursued a Ph.D. was to address the disconnect I observed between pre-service teacher preparation and real-world implementation — especially for students with profound autism. Faison’s culture of "always learning and always improving" deeply resonated with me. I was excited to join a team that values humility, embraces change and empowers staff to achieve the best outcomes for their students.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯?
Working alongside incredible teachers and teaching assistants who show up every day for their students. My role is to ensure they feel seen, valued and supported. Watching them grow in confidence and competence — and knowing I’ve played a part in that journey — is deeply fulfilling.

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?
A new student who had struggled in school before came off the bus after just two days here and said, "I love school! I am so happy!" That moment reminded me how transformative the right environment can be.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺?
Individuals with autism have so much to offer the world, especially those who communicate in non-traditional ways. You should count yourself blessed if you have the opportunity to support them.

Outside of work, Stacha loves spending time with her husband, Miguel, and their furbaby, Burrhus 🐾 — exploring new trails, traveling and enjoying their local community together.

We’re so glad to have you on our team, Stacha! 💙

10/15/2025

🚒🔥 A big thank you to our friends from Richmond Fire Department’s Station 18 for stopping by The Faison Center’s Richmond campus!

Our youngest learners loved getting to explore the firetruck — climbing inside, checking out the gear, and meeting the heroes who help keep our community safe. ❤️

Building these relationships with local first responders helps our students learn from their earliest ages and grow in meaningful ways. 👩‍🚒👨‍🚒

10/07/2025

ON SALE NOW! Tickets for Richmond's most glamorous night are on sale!
Mark your calendars, gather your girlfriends, and get ready to sip, shop, and support The Faison Center in style.

Wine Women & Shoes ✨
Thursday November 20, 2025
6:00pm
The Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia
🎟️ Tickets at https://www.winewomenandshoes.com/event/richmond/

Buy your tickets today. This is the girls’ night out you don’t want to miss!

Richmond, VA 2025 Thursday, November 20, 2025 Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia | 6 PM – 9:30 PM This unique event blends fashion and compassion. Guests will enjoy a wine tasting from a variety of fabulous wineries,…Read more Richmond, VA 2025 ›

10/02/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our 2025 Breakfast and Birdies! 🏌️‍♂️✨ We had a wonderful day of fellowship, golf and community in support of the Peninsula School at The Faison Center. Together, we’re advancing our mission of giving individuals with autism the chance to improve their life's journey. 💙

This year’s event also honored the memory and contributions of our dear friend and colleague, Sydney Johnson. Her legacy continues to inspire us every day.

A special thank you to our generous sponsors who made this event possible!

Towne Bank
National Exterminating Company Inc
Old Point
Abbitt Realty Co.
USI Insurance Services
C.A. Barrs Contractor, Inc

09/18/2025

Monday, September 22nd, looks like a sunny day! Rise, swing & make a difference! There is still time to buy your tickets for the Sydney Johnson Memorial Breakfast & Birdies—a heartwarming fundraiser supporting Peninsula School at The Faison Center. Whether you join us for breakfast, golf or both, your participation helps create meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism through evidence-based programs. Ready to tee off for a good cause? Breakfast is served at 8:00 AM and golf tees off at Noon. Secure your spot now via the ticket link www.faisoncenter.org/birdies

09/17/2025

✨ Staff Spotlight: Meet Patrice Hicks, program manager of Group Day!
💙 Patrice has been with Faison for just over two years, and her heart for helping others shines through every day. Find out why:

👉 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣?
“I’ve always had a heart for helping others, and when I learned about Faison’s mission, I knew it was a place where I could make a real difference.”

👉 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙗?
“Seeing our clients light up when they accomplish something new. Even the smallest steps bring so much joy.”

👉 𝘼 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩?
“When a client used a choice board on their own for the first time. The excitement on their face was priceless!”

👉𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙮:
“I meet each client where they are — with patience, visuals, routines and lots of encouragement.”

Outside of work, Patrice is a busy mom of four, runs her own braid business, and loves plants 🌱 and nature trails 🌳. Help us celebrate Patrice for her compassion and dedication! 💐

Interested in joining Patrice in a career with purpose? Learn more about working at Faison and our latest openings: https://loom.ly/r2N6qOI

09/11/2025

🏠🎨 From her home at The Faison Residence, artist Shaina Cilimberg is sharing her creative vision with Richmond. Her latest collection, RVA Scenes, is on display at anne's Visual Art Studio Gallery through October. Through paint, she gives us a look at local landmarks through her eyes.

Shaina uses art to express herself and connect with her community. “I want to tell the public, you know, hey, those of us with disabilities like to do the same things other young people like to do,” she said.

Check out this recent article on her work - and come celebrate her artistry and Richmond’s creative spirit!

https://loom.ly/LyjGX9U

For Henrico artist Shaina Cilimberg, creating art is a form of expression and a way to connect with the community. Both have been particularly important for her as a person living with autism, ADHD, OCD and physical disabilities. Cilimberg's latest work – RVA Scenes – will be on display at anne'...

09/05/2025

The Faison Center isn’t just a place for teaching and supporting individuals with autism – we’re also pushing the boundaries of research to improve treatment and outcomes.

💡📘 Our team of researchers recently published a peer-reviewed study that looked at common problem behaviors among preschoolers with and without autism. Here’s what we found:

👉 Challenging behaviors (like tantrums or defiance) happen for most preschoolers – whether they are neurotypical or on the spectrum.
👉 These behaviors are more frequent among preschoolers with autism, but they also show up regularly in their neurotypical peers.
👉 The older children get, the less often these behaviors occur across both groups.

Why does this matter? These insights give teachers, therapists and parents a clearer understanding of what’s “to be expected” in early childhood – and help set more realistic, socially valid goals for behavior interventions for all children.

At Faison, we’re proud to be leading research that not only informs our own classrooms but also shapes the broader field of autism treatment.

📖 Learn more here: https://loom.ly/jbPL8b8

09/01/2025

Behind every student success story is a dedicated Faison staff member. Today and every day, we celebrate their commitment, creativity and energy.

Looking for a career with purpose? Explore our open positions: https://loom.ly/1i-1g4A

08/29/2025

✨ The Residence Refresh: More progress! ✨

Our common spaces are transforming every week, and here’s the latest update:

✔️ Hallway lights & carpet installed on all floors
✔️ New ceiling tiles throughout the building
✔️ Drywall up on new Community Room workspaces
✔️ Carpet installed in the lobby
✔️ New roof drains added in the Community Room

Currently, our first-floor hallways are getting a fresh coat of paint — with upper floors next in line! 🎨

We’re so excited to see The Faison Residence becoming an even better place for our community to live, learn and grow. 💙