That’s the logo of Paperworks Studio, a “mission-based market-driven social enterprise” that employs people with special needs to make hand-made greeting cards.  About 20% of those artists are autistic, according to an article by Alice G.  Walton in Forbes magazine, “Living Life with Autism: Has Anything Really Changed?”

Owned by Goodwill Industries and based in Traverse City, Michigan, the company has doubled in the past year and is on track to do so again this year.

Each one-of-a-kind card is made by hand from recycled materials, including recycled blue jeans.  There are cards that contain flower petals and ferns and some with coffee, small pieces of upcycled wool or even recycled beer products. They can create customized holiday cards, wedding invitations and cards with your company logo on them.

Through the production of these cards, the members of the production team learn life and work skills, grow in self-esteem and obtain more independence.

“When you give a card, it shows you care. When you give a Paperworks Studio card you are giving cards that change lives.”

The mission of Paperwork Studios is to remove some of the barriers in life of people with disabilities through job skills training and the production of these quality cards.  In their words, “Our profit is people.”

Watch the following video to learn more about Paperwork Studios and the people behind the cards.

We are in the very early stages of the project.  We are looking to locate in McIntosh County, Georgia, right off I-95, inbetween Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida.  Our Chamber has told us that over 49,000 cars pass us daily.

We are looking for people and money resources.  We have found a 44 acre farm that already does some organic farming.  We hope to sell the produce locally and commercially.  We also want to do a bakery/restaurant using products from the farm.  We also want to rescue shelter dogs and train them as therapy animals. Our hope is that not only will our autistic kids (they are all kids to me) get job skills training, but healthy life skills training as well.  I have seen too many autistic young adults with talents, skills, and intelligence be overlooked or delegated to menial tasks.  These kids need to have a sense of pride in what they do and be able to have economic independence.  We welcome anyone with ideas and their willingness  to help.  One of our goals is to be able to create a plan that other communities can replicate so that more kids would have the opportunity to get involved.”

For more information on McIntosh Farmstead, including how to help this dream become reality… send an email to beachmama4ever (at) yahoo (dot) com (Be sure to write “McIntosh Farms” in the subject box or it won’t be read!)

photo from http://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-and-farm-aid-call-for-more-mid-sized-farms/

There are four components of Career Solutions, Inc.’s supported employment services: job development, job placement, job coaching and on-going, follow-up support. They help determine the best type of employment in relation to the individual’s needs and abilities, make job placements on a case-by-case basis, provide on-the-job training via a job coach, and follow up with the individual and employer to address any additional requirements or problems.

In their Continuing Education program, they focus on independent living, social and employment related skills.

Independent Living instructors provide instruction in the client’s own home,  assisting with skills relating to money management, health and safety, interpersonal relations, career enhancement and development, community awareness, recreational skills, nutrition, hygiene and leisure.

For a transition-age (age 18-21) student with a disability, Career Solutions provides services “designed with an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing education, adult services, independent living, and community participation.”

Career Solutions, Inc., along with The Arc of Omaha, form Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

For more information about Career Solutions, Inc., including eligibility, click HERE.

Photo from Career Solutions, Inc.

All of the illustrators they employ are on the autism spectrum, and that got them thinking, if we can do this, others can, too. So in 2007,  Aviram and Blum  launched a new resource to help those on the spectrum find employment: Autism Job Placement.

Their theory is “if you can get on-line, you can get a job!”

The site is set up in forum-style, where employers  who are interested in quality of work, who are willing to look beyond  interview or interpersonal skills to a potential employee’s unique skills and abilities, post job openings.

Potential employees post information about themselves and about the type of job they’re seeking. Both groups can look over what has been posted in hopes of a match in location, skills and interest.

For those employers who might have doubts about hiring someone on the spectrum, basic information is offered about autism, including this list:

Good reasons to hire people with autism and Asperger’s

- Many have the ability to focus intently on projects.

- Others are very detailed and excel in any position requiring this skill.

- Some are excellent at finding imperfections and make top notch editors.

- With excellent research abilities, many make outstanding technical writers.

- Often they have a wealth of knowledge and have excellent computer skills.

- Some have excellent catalog and sorting skills.

- Others excel in routine work and never miss a beat.

- Typically people with autism are punctual, loyal and dedicated employees who prefer to remain in the same company for a long period of time.

This is a free service and it’s not limited to location. Please help spread the word!

Click here to go to the forum and get started posting jobs or job requests.

PathPoint,  a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in California in 1964, is dedicated to helping people with disabilities or disadvantages reach their fullest potential. They help them overcome barriers to employment by placing them in work environments that are compatible with their individual interests, talents and abilities.

PathPoint currently serves over 2,000 individuals with disabilities or disadvantages,  including people with physical or developmental disabilities (such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, or Down Syndrome), people with psychiatric disabilities (such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, or Anxiety Disorder), and people who are disadvantaged (such as low-income seniors or at-risk foster youth transitioning to independence).

The mission of PathPoint is “to provide comprehensive training and support services that empower people with disabilities or disadvantages to live and work as valued members of our communities.”  To accomplish this, they provide a wide range of employment, independent living, and community access services from building social skills, vocational skills, and independent living skills, to providing the support necessary to maintain true, personal independence for a lifetime.

PathPoint’s living services assist people with disabilities or disadvantages who desire to live more independently. Designed to fit the specific needs of each person, they include learning health and medication management as well as community living skills like nutritional cooking, personal hygiene, safety, banking and money management.

PathPoint also offers day programs where participants access community services and develop independent living skills (such as banking, budgeting, public transportation, safety and recreational planning) that will benefit them for a lifetime.

Hundreds of businesses, big and small, including  7-11, Pizza Hut, hospitals, schools and even the Social Security Administration, have partnered with PathPoint to provide employment opportunities to its participants. In return, the businesses receive customized staffing solutions to help meet all levels of employment needs with well-trained, motivated employees.  PathPoint staff provides consultation with businesses interested in diversifying their workforce.

Click here to visit their website and learn more about PathPoint.
(photo courtesy of PathPoint website)