In 2021, Community Foundation of Henderson County awarded St. Gerard House, a nonprofit that helps individuals with autism and their families, a $25,000 grant to support transportation for adult pre-vocational program participants.
Their Feed The Need program is a pre-vocational program teaching life skills to young adults (14 & up) with autism and other behavioral disorders. Feed The Need incorporates community involvement such as volunteering, field trips, gardening and cooking classes to encourage successful job or volunteer placement in the community.
“This service is designed to provide participants the opportunity to develop meaningful community relationships with non-disabled individuals,” shared Program Coordinator Julia Matthews, BCaBA. “Staff assist participants by promoting maximum participation in community life while developing natural supports.”
