About The ACRES Project
Why We're Here
Autism is a lifelong diagnosis. Although commonly viewed as a childhood disorder, kids with autism soon become teenagers, adults, and seniors with autism. It's estimated that 50,000 Americans with autism will enter adulthood each decade. These adults are one of the most overlooked and forgotten populations in America.
Although school districts provide many services for children with an autism spectrum disorder, these services disappear at the age of 21, when individuals are no longer eligible for the vital supports which they and their families have relied on since childhood. The few programs that do exist for adults with autism often have long waiting lists, prerequisites, are unaffordable, or simply cannot provide the specific help that an individual needs. With no support and nowhere to turn, adults with autism are at greatly increased risk of isolation, loneliness, unemployment, and overall lack of purpose.
Although 61% of adults with autism want to hold a job, 85% are unemployed, even with a college degree -- the lowest employment rate of any disability group.
More than half of young adults on the autism spectrum report that they have not met with a friend over the past year.
And although 78% of adults with autism wish to live independently, 90% rely on a parent or guardian or lack independent living options.
With your support, the ACRES Project is working to create those options.
Who We Are
Established in July 2014, The ACRES Project, Inc. is a small, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in State College, PA with a mission to foster independence, self-advocacy, social opportunities, and work/life skills for adults with autism.The project was spearheaded by Bella Bregar, a retired special education teacher with a passion for helping individuals with autism thrive. Bella has helped countless students through high school over her 38 years as a teacher, and shares the hopes and concerns that many parents express for the future of their child with autism. Noticing that many of her former students were struggling to graduate college, make friends, or find jobs after graduation, Bregar founded the ACRES Project to fill in the gap in services and provide adults with autism with the structure and support they need to achieve their goals.
The ACRES Project believes that autism is not a "one-size-fits-all" diagnosis, so there are no "one-size-fits-all" solutions. We respect that each person is an individual with unique strengths, challenges, and goals for the future. At ACRES, we don't fit people into programs -- we shape our programs around people. Most importantly, our programs and activities are inspired by the feedback of participants to ensure that ACRES is a place designed by adults with autism, for adults with autism.
What We Do
Through our innovative programs, the ACRES Project connects people with autism to themselves, to each other, and to their community. Whether someone is looking for a job, wants to learn new life skills, or just needs a friend, our small size (just eight paid staff, four of whom have autism) allow us to fill unmet needs and respond quickly to the needs of our community as they arise. For example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we created online groups via Zoom to help high school students on the autism spectrum develop self-advocacy skills safely from their homes. We also host small in-person life skills programs, partner with local businesses for vocational training opportunities, and provide a safe place where adults with autism can relax and simply be themselves. Most importantly, we try to provide our programs at low or no cost to participants, because nobody should be denied the support they need based on their financial situation.
How You Can Help
The ACRES Project relies almost entirely on private contributions to operate. We need your support now more than ever to help us continue to serve our community. So join our Halloween Hustle, make a donation, and spread the word! Your support of this race will help ACRES continue our existing programs and create new ones.
Together, you help make the pieces fit!
