At Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Neurodiversity at Work program, we witness the incredible potential of individuals often overlooked in the workforce. Our program empowers neurodivergent individuals by taking a multi-faceted approach to hiring and retaining individuals of all abilities in the workplace.
However, due to the increasing costs associated with the quality of our services and community programs that state funds do not cover, a gap has formed between program costs and available resources. To help fill this gap, we need to raise $20,000 by the end of the year. Your gift today will help us sustain and grow our program, keep our best staff, and build a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone.
Neurodiversity at Work program advocates Wendy and Matthew Morris know how important this program is and will be matching every dollar, up to the first $10,000 raised by the end of the year. This means, your gift today will be doubled!!
Wendy Morris shares more about her and her son Jared’s experiences and the relationship he has with his job coach, Austin Sibanda.
We love Austin! Since Jared graduated from high school, we have never worried about what he would do next. The quality of the staff at Kennedy Krieger is unmatched. Austin will FaceTime Jared on his days off and even text me and Matthew (Jared’s dad) with ideas or concerns he has. He is not only Jared’s caretaker, but also his friend.”
This October marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), emphasizing the importance of recognizing the talents of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” encourages us to reflect on the accomplishments of our community members and staff—past, present, and future.
Our dedicated staff is what makes this program so special.
Our dedicated staff provides:
- Personalized coaching and mentorship for our members
- Job and volunteer placement support
- Encourages engagement in creative and fun leisure activities
- Customized workplace training for local businesses
- Advocacy efforts in Maryland and D.C.
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With your support, we can celebrate our community members and the pride they feel from landing their first job, volunteering, gaining confidence through new skills, and enjoying fun activities like going to the movies. These moments not only motivate us but also fill us with pride in our community every day.