Achieve

Achieve's primary objective was to maintain the summer social enterprise (Little Engine Eatery) in the north end of the County during 2023 so that all neurodivergent community members have an opportunity to work at least 12 hours during the summer under the tutelage of qualified mentors. Achieve had the following outputs (numerical counts related to programming) in 2023. Because of an increase in the demand for programming in 2023, Little Engine Eatery was open 6/days/week for 7 weeks and 7/days/week for 4.5 weeks (total weeks open was 11.5 weeks). 17 neurodivergent people worked at Little Engine Eatery over the Summer (including a neurodivergent mentor), gaining job, social and cognitive skills under the tutelage of skilled mentors. Achieve invested back into the community through payment of over $1,200 in sales tax (for Little Engine Eatery) and over $4,491 in employers' payroll taxes. Little Engine Eatery fulfilled over 1,600 orders, thereby exposing the abilities of neurodivergent workers and increasing their acceptance into the mainstream. Based on the feedback we've received from caregivers, program participants and/or observation by the mentors, during the grant period 88% of program participants showed improvement in money-handling, communication skills, problem solving skills, self-advocacy, and social skills (exceeding the projected impact of 70%). Based on interviews with program participants, 75% (exceeding projected impact of 70%) of program participants made improvement in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Proper work hygiene and attire for food service; 2. How to ask for help when appropriate; 3. When and how to communicate requests for schedule changes; 4. How to appropriately interact with customers and co-workers; 5. Familiarity with retail/food service operations and/or point of sale (cash register) systems and how to complete transactions with customers; 6. How to be pro-active in the workplace. The program expenses includes inkind expenses of $5,663 which includes donated services and facilities. Revenue shown is net revenue, not gross which was $15,691.

Achieve's second program is the Social Program with a goal of empowering young adults (ages 14-25) with neurodivergencies and mental health challenges to cultivate a strong sense of belonging while providing respite to family members of these young adults. The Social Program had the following outputs/outcomes during 2023. Achieve offered 6 social outings to neurodivergent teens and young adults (exceeding the projection of offering 4 social programs). Currently, no programs exist in the greater community focusing on teens and young adults with learning disabilities. 68% of program participants reported improvement in their sense of self-worth and confidence (exceeding the projected impact of 60%). The program expenses includes $148 of donated services.