A nonprofit organization with a mission to help youth with unique abilities find their purpose and passion as they transition beyond high school. This nonprofit wants to break the stigma around those with disabilities finding competitive employment in the workforce and actively participating in the community. We strongly believe that people are more than just their diagnosis and strive for inclusion.
Our Co-Founder Alice is one of the reasons we feel so strongly about including people with Autism and other disabilities in the community. At 3, Alice was diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder, Not Other Specified, or PDD-NOS, which is part of the autism spectrum. Alice was diagnosed in 1996 when there was not a lot of information, or research, on Autism. In the beginning, Alice did not speak, and she had behaviors- including running out of the classroom whenever she felt inspired to run. Alice struggled immensely in school, the family wanted her in a regular education classroom, but the school thought she would be better helped in a self-contained class. Eventually, after many IEP meetings, Alice was able to go into general education classes after attending ESE early start and ESE Pre-K. She was pulled out of her classes for therapies several times a day. Because Alice needed so much support, our other co-founder, Dr. Lisa B. Jester, spent much of her time volunteering at Alice’s school. So much time that Dr. Jester decided to change careers and become a teacher.
Dr. Jester has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She then went back to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Exceptional Education with an endorsement in Reading and Autism Education. Over the last 16 years, she has worked as a high school special education teacher teaching-learning strategies, reading, and social studies. Dr. Jester also worked as a Behavior Dean, Transition Director, and Program Coordinator at UCF. In 2016 Dr. Lisa earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Jester’s research focused on Postsecondary Education Outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Florida. That’s a lot of big words, and we hope we didn’t lose you there….
It means she studied what happens to those with Autism or intellectual disabilities after they age out of the public school system. What was found out… less than 13% of students with Autism or intellectual disabilities attend any postsecondary education. No trade school, no certificate program, no colleges, no college experiences, no job training. Nothing. Further, less than 26% of people with Autism or intellectual disabilities were employed. Another statistic, here in Florida, 94% of adults with disabilities live at home with their families.
These dismissal statistics were our call to action. Dr. Lisa B. Jester, her sister Alice, and colleague Kim formed a nonprofit organization in 2016 to help ensure those who age out of the school system are not left behind, not left sitting at home, and are included in the community through transition education and training. Today, our nonprofit is a leading voice for all young adults with special needs, including those with Autism or other developmental disabilities. We offer support, opportunity, acceptance, and respect through advocacy, education, and training. We focus on transition education, independent living, and community participation. Navigating the Path between finishing high school and becoming an adult can be exciting and also scary. There are so many possibilities and many different services, and as many service providers, navigating these waters can quickly become overwhelming.
Our Logo
Our logo, like our mission, was designed by Ali. As many of you know, Ali is a self-advocate who is very passionate about her beliefs. Ali has always disagreed on the puzzle piece as a symbol for people with autism and other unique abilities.
Ali believes people are not puzzles to be solved but unique in their way. Just as each butterfly has its unique design, each person is unique. To quote Ali, “We are not puzzles to be solved, but butterflies to watch SOAR.” And so, a new logo was born.
Testimonials
