“You can have what ever you want.”

The other day I visited a hotel to see if it would be a good place to host our Advocates for Adults with Autism breakfast this Spring.  I was concerned that I couldn’t fill the room, that the food was too expensive, and the table linens were boring.  The events manager said to me, “You can have what ever you want.”

So I said, I want a room filled with 500 people who want to help young women with autism develop the skills and confidence for work and life.

I want to honor several accomplished and deserving people who help adults with autism lead meaningful lives. I want to show a video that makes people cry and another one that makes people take action.

I want everyone to brainstorm and discover that someone at each table has a job that needs to be filled by an employee with focus, attention to detail, honesty, and commitment to quality. Now we have 50 job opportunities!

I want someone to stand up and ask, “What else do you need?’  And I say, we need more job coaches to support more trainees, we need a larger space for our program,  We need a club house for young women with autism to come anytime they want for socializing, leisure activities and support; and we want a coffee bar for employment and to serve the community.  I want dozens of people to say, “That’s important, we’ll fund that.”

Then the events manager looked down at her folder.

And I realized she meant that I can have what ever I want, in table linen colors.

Well, now you know what I really want, but more importantly what our young women with autism and learning disabilities want – and need.   They need you.

Today, please help our young women get what they want:  the skills to work and live a satisfying life.  Your year-end contribution will have an immediate impact.  Please donate now.

Why does our work matter?

Only 20% of adults with autism have jobs.  That’s tragic since most want to work.

What comes easy to you, is a real struggle for people with autism.  But they want what we all want: a sense of belonging, a feeling of competence, and a purpose.

With skilled coaching and a comprehensive curriculum, young women with autism, like Izzie pictured here with Jennifer Eisman, MSW, can gain the skills they need to be included and productive in the workforce.

Yes She Can’s job skills development program helps our trainees achieve their goals.  But we can’t do the work without your support.

Your year end charitable contribution will be a meaningful gift to the young women who need our help, and will have a life-changing impact immediately.  Please donate now. 

Thank you so much.

Please come visit us at our program  at 4 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY, to see how we are putting your funding to use helping young women with autism develop skills for work and life.