Growing Possibilities – Autism Job Opportunities
Like many parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, Jim Lyman had concerns about his teenage son Eli’s prospects of finding a job when he turned 21 and outgrew Connecticut’s state support system. His concern sparked the idea for Growing Possibilities, a collaborative effort of Pinchbeck’s Rose Farm and the Connecticut organizations Ability Beyond Disability and the Autism Spectrum Resource Center. Lyman created the business model with other autism advocates who had similar concerns.
A family business that first opened in 1929, Pinchbecks’s Rose Farm was forced to close last year because of foreign competition. This summer it opened its doors again, and not just to provide roses: it will also provide vocational training and employment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities.
The goal is to employ 25 individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities who will cultivate, cut and package the flowers for sale at Pinchbeck’s Rose Farm, and create an example for other businesses to do the same.
Joan Volpe of Ability Beyond Disability hopes the venture raises enough revenue in the coming years to fund other not-for-profit business enterprises and provide more jobs for autistic adults.
(compiled from information in two separate articles…see here and here)
This is fabulous and exactly what the autism community needs! BRAVO~
I understand you are in Texas also? If so, where are you? We are located in Houston, Tx.
Your mission sounds very interesting & is much needed. We have a Day Habilitation program. In addition, we are looking for job opportunities for some of our clients. We focus on autism & cover the entire spectrum.
Hi Gretchen,
We’re north of Austin. Small world! That’s great that you’re looking to expand your program. Perhaps you could get some ideas from the job story posts we’ve published on our site. I’m keeping my eyes open for programs like Growing Possibilities. If I find one in the Houston area, I’ll let you know. And please let us know if you hear about one.
Also, if any of your clients currently have jobs, or when they get one, please consider having them or a job coach enter their stories on our site and in that way share them with others who need ideas.
Thanks and good luck!
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Sounds like a wonderful place! Just the kind of working community we have dreamed of.
We would love to visit your Texas location. How can we reach you?
I work for Ability Beyond Disability and this project is a much needed one in our state. Ability Beyond Disability has a great knowledge about the Spectrum and I love working for them!
[...] “Growing Possibilities” was born… a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to growing independence in the business world for those with autism and other disabilities. [...]
[...] “Growing Possibilities” was born… a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to growing independence in the business world for those with autism and other disabilities. [...]
[...] “Growing Possibilities” was born… a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to growing independence in the business world for those with autism and other disabilities. [...]