Begun in 2007 with seed money from local parents of children with autism who were reaching adulthood, Extraordinary Ventures was founded to meet a significant challenge facing communities across the country: how to train and employ the increasing number of young adults with autism and developmental disabilities who are “aging out” of public school and are no longer able to access existing services.

Today, EV employs a workforce of these young adults, demonstrating what can happen when families reject the notion that their children are not capable of keeping a job or doing meaningful work. Further, EV is unique in that it relies on energetic, entrepreneurial recent college graduates to run the organization, assess community needs that can be filled, and then start and manage these businesses – or “ventures” – designed around the interests/skills of the individual employees. To date, a full-time staff of five social entrepreneurs manages a portfolio of small businesses, each designed to be self- sustaining. In addition, a board of nine community leaders, many of whom have a personal connection to autism and developmental disabilities, sets the direction for the organization.

Autism Non-Profit & Association,