|
|
|
MICC's Participant of the Month is awarded by nominations from both peers and staff for individuals who have clearly demonstrated one or more of our three R’s: responsibility, resilience, and respect.
Read more about John and Jules who have been chosen as participants of the month for November.
0 Comments
Hey, you! Yeah that’s right, I’m talking to you! You know that weirdo you saw in the crowd cam of last week’s Twins’ game with one of those giant foam hands and a scream to rival the sound of a kazoo scraping a chalkboard? Turns out, that was me, trying to get your attention this entire time.
Now that you’re finally here, let me apologize for such an abrasive opening. A recent submission has required me to scramble for my notes; October is coming to a close, and I am running out of time to respond to this question before people are busy partying and conjuring sugar addictions. In other news, I’ve just gotten word that it is no longer October. It turns out, it’s better to just politely ask for someone’s time as opposed to obscene ways to grab their attention. Huh. Well, the spooky month might have faded, but we’re still in the spirit at the Metaphor Meadows! Let me read off today’s question, and I’ll elaborate: How do you get over someone you work with who isn’t being the nicest to you? The non-profit seeks to raise awareness, acceptance and opportunity for autistic and neurodivergent adults (MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA) This National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC) aims to raise awareness, acceptance and opportunity for those with invisible disabilities such as autism, ADHD and other neurodivergence. MICC celebrates the uniqueness of every autistic and neurodivergent adult, working alongside them to provide vocational and life skills training programs within a supportive, accepting community that both equips and empowers their successful transition into independent living, employment and lifelong autonomy. “It’s difficult to estimate the unemployment rate for autistic/neurodivergent adults. Some studies show unemployment as high as 66 percent for young adults two years post-high school.* Others show it as high as 85 percent for autistics with a college degree**,” said Amy Gudmestad, CEO of MICC. "Regardless of the statistics, the fact that there are barriers to neurodivergent adult employment is obvious and must be addressed. MICC works with both autistic adults and employers to address workplace accessibility and offer a broadened lens on inclusion so both the individual and employer can achieve success.” MICC was founded in 1996 as a person-centered post-secondary education alternative pathway for autistic high school graduates not bound for a two- or four-year academic degree programs. In those more than 27 years, MICC has offered autistic and neurodivergent adults who desire independence the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, education, support, and resources in a college-like environment that includes on-campus residential living and social programming. “Every person is unique. Our programs focus on the whole person and are customized according to each individual’s talents, goals and support needs,” said Gudmestad. “Our curriculum and services are hands-on and encompass independent and healthy living skills, social and emotional learning, and career skills and employment. The integrated Careers Program includes specialized training in retail, hospitality, health services, and culinary certificates endorsed by Century College. It also includes job placement, on-the-job coaching and workplace accommodations.” MORE OPTIONS FOR AUTISTIC/NEURODIVERGENT ADULTS To date, to take advantage of MICC’s programming, participants could only enter through the three-year on-campus College Program available to adults 18-26, but this month, MICC is launching a pilot Specialized Employment Skills (SES) program. “The College Program is all-encompassing, guiding neurodivergent adults toward independence through skill development and hands-on support, but not all autistic adults need that. Many have college degrees and/or their own apartments and transportation, but they want more support with specific skill development, job readiness and career enhancement,” said Gudmestad. “The SES Program is an expansion on what MICC has been doing for the last 27 years, but we’re making it more flexible, affordable and accessible to more people.” The MICC track record speaks for itself. 100 percent of MICC participants who are eligible for employment are employed and 97 percent of Career Program participants self-reported they benefit from career services and feel supported in pursuing their career goals. MICC wants to build on that success. SES will be available to individuals who have completed their high school education and are at least 22 years of age at the time of enrollment. Applications for the five-month SES program are being accepted now with classes to begin in January for eight participants with the plan to open enrollment to more participants when SES officially launches in Summer 2024. If you are interested in learning more about SES, visit MICC’s website at https://www.miccommunity.org/sesprogram and attend an on-site Information Open House: MICC Specialized Employment Skills Open House Thursday, October 26, 2023, 6 pm to 8 pm 2120 West 76th Street Richfield, MN 55423 Email: careersprogram@miccommunity.org FOR EMPLOYERS The success of MICC’s careers program and the launch SES pilot program wouldn’t be possible without the participation of employers in hosting practicums and experiential learning experiences in addition to job placement. MICC partners with organizations across the Twin Cities including Best Buy, Target, Walgreens, Fresh Thyme, CVS, Lunds & Byerlys and more. According to the US Department of Labor+, companies that are leaders in disability inclusion have 28 percent higher revenue, double the net income and 30 percent higher economic profit margins. “Many businesses have had a difficult time filling roles, how might employing autistic/neurodivergent individuals address that? I urge companies to consider which of their current practices and processes unintentionally exclude autistic/neurodivergent individuals,” said Gudmestad. “There are extremely talented individuals who identify as neurodivergent and on the spectrum at all levels of employment, from entry-level to executives at Fortune 500 companies. Their contributions will bring a different perspective to your conversations, your designs, your culture, your customer experience. Autistics and the neurodivergent see the world differently, and if companies can see that as an asset versus a liability, their customer experience would change. Remember, what is good for someone on the spectrum is typically good for all of us.” Employers can learn more by contacting MICC today and requesting a Neurodiversity in the Workplace training at https://www.miccommunity.org/connect. * https://autismsociety.org/resources/employment/ **https://www.marketwatch.com/story/most-college-grads-with-autism-cant-find-jobs-this-group-is-fixing-that-2017-04-10-5881421 + https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam About MICC
Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC) is a nonprofit post-high school vocational and life skills training program for autistic and neurodivergent adults. Since its founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping participants make successful transitions towards independent living, self-sufficiency and true belonging. Through hands-on learning, education, support, and resources, MICC participants achieve sustained, independent living, rewarding employment, financial security, personal growth and responsible citizenship. For more information about MICC, visit https://www.miccommunity.org/ For interviews with MICC team members, please contact Ella Carlsson, Red Mood Marketing at 612.805.0572, ella@redmoodmktg.com Homecoming Week at MICC was a spectacular success this year, bringing together participants, staff, families, and the broader community in a week-long celebration of spirit, talent, and giving back. From themed dress-up days to exciting activities and events, the week was filled with memorable moments. Let's take a look back at the highlights of MICC's Homecoming Week 2023. Spirit Week
The week kicked off with Spirit Week, where participants and staff showcased their creativity and school spirit by dressing up according to daily themes. It was all about embracing their inner twins, settling the age-old Star Wars vs. Harry Potter vs. Star Trek debate, donning denim for Canadian Tuxedo day, rocking their favorite band tees, and, of course, showing off their MICC pride. The clear winner of the costume showdown was Star Wars, taking over the campus with an epic display of intergalactic flair. Staff members went all out for Canadian Tuxedo day, proving that denim-on-denim is always in style at MICC.
“Number Five…. Is alive!”
What does that mean? I couldn’t tell you… but when I was on a recent nostalgic tour of rewatching old science fiction films, that was supposedly the tagline for the 1987 film “Short Circuit”. Like, yeah, Five is the name of the robot character in the film, but I’ve seen cheesier taglines in clothing stores that sell dairy products. Well, that’s a mystery for another day. The reason for that opening detour is because of how it leads to our topic for today: Power Outages! This is all stemming from a recent question I was given, which is as follows: What’s the most bizarre thing that’s happened so far in this school year?
You’d think that would be an impossible question to answer, given how early into the year we are, but MICC never lets us down! Our story begins with a twinge of environmental horror...
|
Archives
November 2023
Categories
All
|
|
|
|
RSS Feed