The Sensory Research Center (SRC) held its first benefit, dessert and silent auction concert featuring LA Collaboration last week. SRC Founder, Jennifer Hoffiz, said, "The concert was well attended and the talent of the performers was absolutely amazing. The concert and the silent auction allow SRC to offer 3 or 4 scholarships for children, whose parents/grandparents simply can not afford the neurosensory program, to receive this much needed therapy." One grandparent, Juanita Torres, who takes care of her twin autistic grandchildren, shared what it would mean to their family to receive a scholarship. She told the audience, "My grandsons need a lot of care and help as they have many challenges. I believe they can benefit from the sensory program that is available through the Sensory Research Center. It would provide us with hope and help. Most insurance do pay little or nothing and we only have MediCal which does not provide care for the boys. I can not put into words on how we feel to have a chance of receiving a scholarship. This gives us hope and much excitement."

The event raised enough money to give out 3-4 scholarships to needy children. These scholarships will go towards SRC's neurosensory program called the Individualized Sensory Program. The program retrains the eyes, ears and vestibular system to be able to process sound, light, and other sensory input in a more balanced fashion. Clients who go through the program see improvements in speech and language, eye contact, focus and concentration, fine motor skills, and processing.

Hoffiz has used this program to help her own son recover from Autism and overcome his sensory processing difficulties. Hoffiz says, "I formed the Sensory Research Center because there are many nonprofits whose focus is research, but very few, who give financial relief for children so they can receive alternative treatments."

SRC is will post future events on their website. They are seeking sponsors, venues and donations to be able to continue offering scholarships for children with disabilities like Autism, Down's Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. SRC only offers scholarships for children but also works with adults suffering from stroke, brain injury, narcolepsy, and fibromyalgia.