Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Coats.
Jen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My husband and I started the LBC Hero Squad in 2016 at our kid’s home school, Cubberley K-8. Our son was in kindergarten in 2014 with a split IEP (SDC and mainstream). We wanted to start a group to meet other families that were in a Special Day Class since we were new to the neighborhood and school. We sold our house in Alamitos Beach to ensure that our kids would go to a good school that had an SDC program. Little did we know that our group would turn into a nonprofit organization raising awareness and acceptance of autism and other differently-abled rad kiddos. We are forever thankful for the support from our school and our squad. We couldn’t have done any of this without them as it takes all of us to succeed. We are a squad that celebrates differences and thinks everyone can be a HERO.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a fairly smooth road for us as we are a group of parents that are very passionate and open about our kiddos. We are honest about our communication as it is personal to our experience. Our main goal is wanting our kids to feel accepted and included in school and in our community. Every year, it’s a learning experience. We’ve had some pushback on some activities that we have created but we feel it’s important to share everything there is to know about autism (the successes, the behaviors, sensory, and so forth) and how to be kind to someone that is differently-abled. Without awareness, you can’t have acceptance. Without acceptance, you can’t have inclusion. You need all three in order to move forward. We need all types of personalities in order to evolve and build a kinder environment for everyone. We are not educators but parents that want our kiddos to live in a world where they can feel proud of who they are. Our kiddos are RAD, wired differently, not slow. But they have feelings and are aware of what’s happening around them. Once you have met one child with autism, you have met one child with autism. We are all different…
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time mom and a working mom. I have worked in apparel for over 15 years and took seven years off pursuing my career when my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. I devoted my time taking care of my two beautiful kids that I am very proud of. Our son was in ABA therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Speech Therapy, countless doctors appointments, and so forth. My daughter had a slight gross motor delay and was in Physical Therapy. She was also in and out of the doctor’s office having RSV when she was three months old. Being susceptible to every virus that attacks her bronchial. Our son would improve every year and in 2017, my husband and I felt it was time for me to go back to work. It was hard to find a job at first because of the seven year gap and once I did, it was a complete culture shock. I had no idea what I was doing. I had adult meltdowns. Missing my kids and trying to learn programs that were advanced to what I used to work on. I landed a job being a Showroom Manager for a Commercial Interior Design Company in DTLA for two years and then the pandemic hit and I was laid off. I then focused my attention on my kid’s mental health when the schools shut down. Therefore, surrendering to our current situation and focusing my attention to my family’s needs and myself.
I put all of my energy in my kids, family, and my non-profit organization. I wanted us to become our own entity so we can help other schools implement their own acceptance week and help families in our community. I think what I am most proud of besides my kids is starting the LBC Hero Squad where we raise awareness and acceptance of autism and other special abilities. I think what sets us apart is that we have hosted 4 Autism Awareness Weeks at Cubberley K-8. We were recognized and received a Proclamation from our Mayor, Robert Garcia and Councilwoman, Stacy Mungo for our autism efforts in a school setting in 2018. We provide materials and resources to students and staff about autism and how to be kind to your autistic friend. Our tee shirts that we design are approved for spirit wear at Cubberley. We give away swag and literature to students and provide an agenda of resources and materials to staff to teach to their students. We host guest speakers and only hire autistic adults to educate the school about their experience in school and how they’ve become successful in their careers. We also collaborate within our community by helping out other nonprofits and small businesses. We are a group of parents that have kids and youth in Elementary through High School in the Long Beach Unified School District and our main goal is to be a voice and advocate for our kiddos and families in our community. To help other families who want to start their own Acceptance Week at their school with the resources that we have created. I have always wanted to help kids with special needs when I was a young adult but never thought I would start a non-profit. This is what I am most proud of in my work experience. It has been an incredible journey and my son is my inspiration.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
So many fond childhood memories. But I used to love riding my bike and playing with my friends. Coming back right when the sun would set and it was dinner time. I loved sightseeing and exploring new places and cities. We try to venture out a much as possible so our kids can see and experience new places.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.lbcherosquad.org
- Instagram: lbcherosquad
- Facebook: lbcherosquad
- Youtube: LBCHeroSquad Videos
Image Credits:
Tasia Photography City of Long Beach at City Hall
