MONMOUTH COUNTY – Hundreds of people gathered in Brielle Park for the first Annual 5K Race and 2K Walk to help support an educational program for adults with autism.
The Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children held the event to raise funds for a new project they are working on, the Achieve Academy for Adults with Autism. The Achieve Academy will be a program for those 21 and up with autism to continue their education and offer services such as speech, behavioral, occupational or physical therapy, as well as job training and employment placement in local businesses and organizations.
“There’s very little in ways of services for this population. The unemployment rates for adults with autism are astronomically high. They’re about 85 to 90 percent unemployed. With limited resources, we want to provide a place where someone can go if they need support,” said Eileen Shaklee, a board member of the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children who has vocational training with special needs adults.
The Achieve Academy is expected to open Spring of 2022 at the Brookdale satellite campus in wall. The building will offer a faux- apartment where those in the program can learn cooking, cleaning, making beds and other life skills.
“What we’re looking to do is provide a facility to give adults a continuing education experience, but also one where they can work on their life skills, independent living, working on learning how to work and to expand their vocational training,” Shaklee said.
It’s also planned for the academy to offer an on-site business for students to work in and learn what it’s like working a job.
“In 2020, it was the first year that the CDC actually took data on adults and there’s 50.4 million adults living with autism in the U.S. My question is always ‘where is that 50.4 million? Where is our community connection to them?’” said Jennifer Zona, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services for Township of Ocean Schools and a board member of the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children. “The spectrum is a broad range of capabilities and we want to make sure that all these individuals are thriving in their adult life with a purpose.”
On April 18, over 600 participants came out for the 5K Race and 2K Walk. The fundraiser successfully raised approximately $60,000 for the foundation that will go towards building the Achieve Academy.
“My son is 16, he’ll be 17 next month. This is something I know personally is very much needed in this area. There is nothing just like this program anywhere,” Shaklee said.
To learn more about the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children and the Achieve Academy for Adults with Autism, visit moffc.org.
