Elves Special Needs Society

Testimonials

"My boy, now almost 5, entered Elves at age 3.5 in late January/early February 2017, and now is in his second year of preschool. He has been diagnosed with severe speech delay.  He was virtually non-verbal when he entered the school. In the last four months of his first preschool year he went from virtually non-verbal to wanting to talk and able to get three words strung together in a row.  Now in his second year of preschool, I am amazed at how far he has come, people that don't see him very often are shocked at how far he has come. His speech is getting easier, for others who don't know him, for others to understand.

Nicole and Joanne have helped me so much in the last year, with behavior issues specifically. I am SO GRATEFUL to the staff at Elves for everything you have helped my son with and have helped me with. As my son has progressed my angst and worry about him has lessened which has allowed me to progress with my life and the book I am writing and also allowed me to work more on my nutrition coaching business. Thank you!"

Nadine
Parent of Nathan

“Elves has supported Sarah’s needs and our needs in so many different ways.”

“I think what it means for us it to understand that it’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to not feel guilty about that.”

Staff Testimonials

For the 15 years I have worked at Elves I have always felt appreciated and valued as an employee and co-worker. I have had different roles over the years, allowing me to continue to learn and be challenged every year. Coming to work is enjoyable when you work with amazing people. It’s a combination of these things, and the great work that Elves does, that I continue to work at Elves. 

– Kelsey Sandstra, 15 years (2021)

I want to thank Elves for this recognition. 

I enjoy the people I work with everyday. I see success and I sometimes see failure but when success is met the rewards from this accomplishment fuels why I continue to work here. I must confess that I am also a student of the participants who attend the Adult Program and their families. Learning ways to adapt, retry, to be mindful of details or the importance of simple things, resilience, curiosity, and humor are all skills I have been blessed to learn and enhance over the years. Elves Society’s commitment to the participants, the families, and to the caregivers is why I am proud to tell others I work here. I look forward to many more years and wish to thank the Elves Board of Directors, participants, families, and staff for an amazing 15 years! 

– Connie Daynes, 15 years (2021)

I have a passion for community work and supporting families through building their strengths and capacity to support and advocate for themselves and their families by connecting them to a support network in their community.

I am moved by the history, work, and supports of Elves and the professionals I have had the pleasure of working beside and all they have done for families and children and youth with special needs. 

Elves is not just a workplace but a second home, which family made up of Elves’ families and staff.

– Angela Vardy, 15 years (2021)