Group presents at national autism conference

Leaders from GHA Autism Supports were selected to present at the 49th Annual Autism Society of America Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 13-15.

Chief Executive Officer Dawn Allen, Chief Professional Services Officer Janet Banks, Director of Special Projects Tonda Forrest, Chief Development Officer Beth Olivieri and Second Street Sundries barista Alan Cremisi shared the success of Second Street Sundries in a presentation titled, "An Innovative Coffee House Model - Advancing Vocational Opportunities for Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder."

More than 1,000 individuals, families, educators, care givers and service providers attended the conference to participate in a line-up of sessions focusing on concrete strategies covering the entire lifespan of people with autism.

The café and coffee shop opened in January 2015 with a mission to provide employment opportunities for the individuals with autism that GHA supports. Of the 23 people employed at Second Street Sundries, 12 of them are on the autism spectrum. Job coaches work alongside the individuals with autism to provide the appropriate amount of support needed to assist them in performing a variety of work tasks and to reach their fullest potential.

Second Street Sundries offers a variety of Starbucks beverages through the company's "We Proudly Serve" program, as well as other food options including flatbreads, salads and wraps.

Produce grown at Carolina Farms is utilized at Second Street Sundries. Carolina Farms is a working farm owned and operated by GHA Autism Supports in the Millingport community, which also provides vocational opportunities for individuals with autism.

Second Street Sundries has been honored by a number of organizations and was named "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce in 2016.

Most recently Cremisi earned the title of Certified Coffee Master through Starbucks. He shared his journey with GHA Autism Supports and Second Street Sundries during a segment of the presentation in Milwaukee.

In operation since 1978, GHA Autism Supports currently serves more than 90 individuals with autism. The Centers for Disease Control has reported that 1 in 68 children born in the United States are identified with autism spectrum disorder.

For more information about GHA Autism Supports, contact Olivieri at (704) 982-9600 ext. 125 or email her at betholivieri@ghainc.org.