A Tribute to Live Aid presented by Cadence Bank,

Mercedes Milstead

For more than ten years, nonPareil has worked to bridge the autism workforce development gap by providing post-secondary instructional programs to help adults with autism build skills to realize their potential and find optimal independence. In nP’s centers in Austin, Houston, Plano, and Orlando, students with ASD learn social and interpersonal skills, complete work-readiness training, and develop marketable skills in areas including programming, digital art/design, and animation.

As crew members, these students are embraced by mentors, staff and peers – they find a community where their differences are celebrated, hone extraordinary technical skills, and sharpen social skills (through specialized classes in communication and behavioral skills) that lead to meaningful employment. nP’s programs give adults on the spectrum the chance to be happy, fulfilled, grow independence, and build a strong social network. Parents consistently cite three main concerns for their ASD children: meaningful employment, friendships and community, and long-term housing. Currently, nP is focused on the first two for current students and alumni, and long-term has its sight set on improving options for independent living.

“nP gives us autistic people a chance, we are grateful to do what we love to do, because most places won’t give us the time of day. But with nP, if anything, our disabilities are our strength.” ~ Layton, nP Crew Member

With a commitment to innovation and respect, nP’s programming and services have achieved the following:

• 75% of students who complete the program (an average of three to four years) found a job or continued to higher education
• Engaged over 800 adults and young adults toward meaningful employment, with 275 students enrolled in January 2022 – with pandemic safety standards in place.
• nP employed 127 adults with autism [232,000 paid hours] since its inception, and 32 former students are currently employed by nP in a variety of technical positions.