Nurturing Plants and People since 1981
A unique provider of integrated supported employment for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. We support skill building through our retail native plant nursery and commercial landscaping service.
Authenticity
We acknowledge our challenges, celebrate our accomplishments, and move through our community with integrity.
- Our primary mission of employment services is always the priority.
- No one person or situation is more important than the organization as a whole and its sustainability
- Our passion for human rights and disability advocacy is unwavering.
Stewardship
We treat our equipment, tools, and finances like they are our own; with appreciation and thoughtfulness.
- Supported employees learn how to care for their tools and equipment.
- Staff are expected to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible.
- Fiscal responsibility is always a component in our search for solutions.
Experimentation
We know that we do not always have the answers, so we question, challenge, and asses in order to grow as an organization and as individuals.
- We strive to accommodate people with all types of disabilities.
- Training and staff development is an essential part of our organization.
- Creative problem solving is appreciated and encouraged.
Vision
Our vision is to create an inclusive sanctuary where the community can learn to live in harmony with our fragile bioregion.
Mission
Desert Survivors Inc is dedicated to providing adults with disabilities the opportunity to develop occupational skills, gain work experience, and advocate for their own employment goals. This is accomplished through our native plant nursery and commercial landscaping services, where we embrace and protect the ecology of our desert home.
Guiding Principles
Unity
We are united in our belief that we are caretakers of the land, encouraging sustainable practices to improve environmental resilience.
- Our nursery only sells plants native to our bioregion.
- Our landscaping services do not use gas engines or chemical pesticides.
- We facilitate community education on native plants and propagation.
Empowerment
We create the conditions necessary for us all to become the best version of ourselves.
- Participant choice is key to our employment services.
- All staff are encouraged to communicate ideas on organizational improvement.
- We use shared decision-making and value consensus.
Patience
Provide support and information to families/guardians of individuals with disabilities.
- We prioritize hiring supported employees that have struggled in other settings. We do not give up on people!
- Employment readiness a holistic service which can mean it takes longer to be truly prepared..
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Make a difference today
Become a Nursery Member
Members receive a 10% discount on all purchases at the nursery (plants, books, supplements, soils, etc.) for an entire year, and benefit from a 20% discount on all purchases during our annual plant sale days.
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Become a Supported Employee
Currently, Desert Survivors offers Group Supported Employment to individuals with I/DD through our qualified vendor contract with the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Join us now
Donate to Support
Help Desert Survivors offers native plants in our nursery and provides employment services to job seekers with disabilities.
We are a 501c3 nonprofit.
Donate
Join Our Team
Would you like to provide human services without being stuck behind a desk? Review our open positions and apply online.
Learn More
We are proud to collaborate with…
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Checkout our news & updates
Community Remembrance – Dia De Los Muertos
The disability community has always experienced tremendous loss. Even more so after years of struggling with COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate living situations.
Summer in the Desert
Hello to All the wonderful people that take time out of their busy schedules to check out Desert Survivors Website and other social media outlets.