Kline Foundation grant helps adults with autism
to gain skills
In June 2015, the Josiah W. and Bessie H. Kline Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to the Vista Foundation to support Vista’s rapidly growing adult services program. This generous grant was used to offset costs to construct and furnish the Vista Adult Services Community Integration Center (CIC), the first training facility in Central Pennsylvania specifically for adults with autism.
Located in Hershey, the CIC acts as a springboard for adults with moderate to severe autism to maximize their employment potential. As of June 2016, a total of 19 adults were participating in community-based skills training through the CIC. From arrival to departure, Vista’s goal is for participants to be out of the CIC and engaging in community activities for 70% of their day within six months. Vista finds that community activities are highly related to employment success, because participants gain confidence by trying out work experiences. Of the adults in Vista’s program for six months, 62% have gained competitive employment (jobs paying at least minimum wage). This is more than double the employment rate of adults with autism in the general population.