Engage NC

We encourage traditional employment through our network with area businesses interested in hiring the population we serve and through our unique thrift store HANDmeUPs which was created solely for the purpose of providing employment opportunities to individuals with autism and or other intellectual developmental disabilities IDD. Our employees gain authentic on the job experience acquire valuable transferable skills and several also gain assistant managerial skills and provide peer mentoring on the job. We operate HANDmeUPs Thrift store as an employer of our population to serve as an inspiration to others interested in starting a small business to increase jobs in the community for our population.

EngageNC's Mission is to create jobs for adults with Autism IDD in the NC Triangle through community-focused employment innovations. EngageNC formerly The Power of the Dream was founded in 2008 by a group of self-advocates and families in order to assist others in better understanding micro-enterprise and asset building. As the organization connected with more individuals it was clear that many job seekers with Autism IDD faced significant barriers to employment. In 2013 EngageNC opened HANDmeUPs Thrift to provide direct employment opportunities and to demonstrate the value of employing adults with Autism IDD. Over the years EngageNC has continued to provide advice and resources to micro-entrepreneurs and businesses who are intentional about hiring adults with Autism IDD. Having a lasting and meaningful impact on these individuals' lives is at the heart of EngageNC's business model. We place equal importance on creating jobs for our client population and assuring financial returns so the funds can be recirculated to create even more jobs.