JJ Cricket

Raising $20,000 to Fund Employment and Job Search Training for young adults on the ASD Spectrum

For many young adults, the transition from secondary school into life as an independent adult can feel stressful, but for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this important and necessary transition can be overwhelming and frightening. 

You can help young adults on the autism spectrum with this transition.

In the past three years, almost $45,000 has been raised to support three ‘Transition to Life’ 4-month programs, helping more than 35 young adults.  This year our goal is to expand our reach to help more adults throughout Ontario, in a partnership with Kerry’s Place. Our goal is to raise $20,000 this year to create a suite of online courses and materials to help those on the spectrum reach their potential.

Kerry’s Place’s Young Adults Project has launched their employment attainment and retention program, which includes flexible, person-centred programming targeting pre-employment & job readiness, job searching & development, on-site job coaching, employer training & workplace mentorship, on-going support & coaching, service navigation and community referrals.

Autism Ontario is working with Kerry’s Place to produce online webinars for program participants to view to complement their in-class sessions and coaching, at no cost to them. These webinars will focus on topics such as interpersonal communication in a work context as well as understanding and developing self-advocacy skills. Contextual role-plays will also be included in the webinars so that participants can practice in tandem with their coach or peers in a work or classroom environment.

Why are we focussed in a new direction?  It’s simple.  We want to make a bigger impact and grow our programming for adults, with your help.

Did you know?

• 1 in 66 children is diagnosed with ASD (latest 2018 Canadian prevalence rate), and they grow up to be adults;
• Over the next few years, 18,000 students with autism will exit school into a system that is unprepared to meet their needs;
• Right now, 87% of adults with ASD are currently unemployed or underemployed in Ontario. 

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

For more information on ticket or sponsorship details, contact Monica Richardson (monicarichardson@rogers.com 416-903-6942) or Ross Woledge (ross.woledge@odgers,com 416-371-8636)

 Autism Ontario has a 46-year history of representing thousands of families and people with ASD across Ontario.  We are the only organization in Ontario that has formal parent representation in all areas of the province through our 25 Chapters. We advocate on behalf of all people with ASD and their families – at all ages and stages of life, reflecting a wide range of expression.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for persons with autism spectrum disorder and to empower them and their families, through evidenced-based, innovative and person-directed supports. our mission has not changed. With the recent changes to the Ontario Autism Program, we, at Kerry’s Place, are currently seeking out solutions that will continue to support and work for our community.

Thank you to the following organizations have had made this event possible.