Overall great experience - Occupational Therapist St. David's Center Employee Review

Child-centered Play-based Emphasis on relationships Supportive environment

None that I can think of

The kids are wonderful. And who knows - you might even find a gem among your coworkers while you’re all bonding over how poorly you’re treated.

Where do I even begin? The children are the only reason this place has any redeeming qualities. Beyond that, the organization seems far more concerned with protecting its image than supporting the staff and families it claims to serve. If something doesn’t fit the preferred narrative, don’t be surprised if concerns are minimized, rewritten, or brushed aside. For an organization that serves autistic children and children with significant trauma histories, I was shocked by some of the attitudes and practices I witnessed. The disconnect between the mission and the reality can be staggering. If you’re considering a role here as a teacher or paraprofessional, prepare yourself to be underpaid, overworked, and frequently placed in physically demanding situations with little recognition to show for it. The people working closest to the children carry some of the greatest responsibilities while receiving some of the lowest compensation. Thinking about career growth? Don’t count on it. Advancement opportunities are scarce, and when they do appear, the financial reward often feels almost symbolic. Loyalty and hard work are expected; meaningful investment in employees is not. What makes all of this even more frustrating is watching fundraising successes and public celebrations while frontline staff continue to struggle. There always seems to be money for appearances, but somehow not for the people doing the day-to-day work that keeps the organization running. The kids deserve better. The staff deserve better. And until leadership starts valuing people as much as public perception, I wouldn’t recommend working here.