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A Capital Campaign for the RECREATION COMPLEX

Expanding recreation activities available at The Els Center of Excellence® campus.

Recreation Complex

The Big Easy™ Cafe by Ernie Els opens on The Els Center of Excellence® Campus 

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By Merrick Egber 

 The Stoops Family Adult Services Building officially opened in late August on The Els Center of Excellence campus in Jupiter, Florida. The 21,000-square-foot building is a place for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to access the essential support and services needed during the transition to adulthood years and throughout life as an adult. 

 The building offers a range of specialized vocational labs and rooms, including the Stanley Black & Decker vocational training lab, the Sea of Possibilities Microbusiness, a sensory lounge, a hospitality & life skills suite, a grocery vocational lab, dedicated therapy rooms, and the Big Easy™ Cafe by Ernie Els. 

With a lot of excitement around the cafe opening, I sat down with the general manager, Jen Wilson, to learn about her background and hopes for the cafe. 

Can you explain to us your background before working here? 

 “I grew up on a farm in New York, and food and family were always super important to me. I learned how to cook at an early age with my mother, and while I have a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Skidmore College, my passion is in the kitchen. Once I finished college, I attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. I worked in various hotels and restaurants before joining my husband to work alongside him at the Lazy Loggerhead Café in Jupiter.” 

How did you start your association with the Els for Autism Foundation®? 

 “I became associated with Els for Autism® because Karen Roberts, the Human Resources Generalist, lives next door to one of my sisters. She had known of our restaurant, and I was hired shortly after as the café manager.” 

 Can you explain the concept of the cafe inside the Stoops Family Adult Services Building? 

 “The concept of a cafe is to provide a fresh & healthy menu with a warm, comfortable cafe environment for staff, parents, students, clients, and guests of Els for Autism. We will focus on the autistic diet by serving gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sugar-style foods with other delicious selections. After we have our systems in place, we will work with autistic adults in several capacities to help them develop skills to support finding employment in culinary and hospitality. I aim to empower them to make thoughtful and valuable contributions within our café, at home, and in the community.” 

What would be your favorite dish to serve in the cafe? 

 “We begin menu testing and plating this week, where we will be taking pictures of all the items for the menu on the Toast Point of Sale System. My favorite things to make are usually very colorful and flavorful. While they will always have the same ingredients, I can be creative and have fun. But if I had to pick one dish as my favorite, it would be the tropical fruit salad.” 

What are your hopes and dreams for the cafe? 

 “My hopes and dreams are simple: to create delicious, flavorful food at reasonable prices with kind, thoughtful service. It is the magic formula for keeping customers and turning them into loyal patrons.” 

What would be your advice for running a restaurant, especially employing people with autism? 

 “Years ago, my husband, Brian, and I started watching Hard Knocks on HBO. Every season, it follows an NFL team during preseason (this season was the NY Jets), where it gives you a window into what it is like to be a player, an owner, and a coach inside a specific pro football organization. In any restaurant, consistency is one of the hardest things to achieve and maintain. You must wake up daily to do the work and inspire your team to do it with you, learning to exercise balance, timing, and maturity while wearing many hats. In last week’s episode of Hard Knocks, one of the coaches quotes Vince Lombardi’s famous words: ‘Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.’”  

The Big Easy™ Café by Ernie Els will be open for all who will come on-campus on Monday, September 11, and will serve a variety of breakfast, lunch, and smoothie items plus a kid’s menu from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  

Many thanks to Jen Wilson for participating in this interview, and I hope she will serve, along with her husband, Brian, many tasty treats for years to come! 

 

Els for Autism® secures $1 million to support the construction of specialized recreation complex

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On Tuesday, August 29 at a ceremony on the campus of The Els Center of Excellence®, leaders and supporters of the Els for Autism Foundation recognized Senator Gayle Harrell and Representative John Snyder for their efforts in successfully advocating for a $1 million appropriation to support the construction of a specialized autism recreation complex on the 26-acre campus located in Jupiter, Florida.

“The Els for Autism Foundation staff and board of directors would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Senator Harrell and Representative Snyder for their support in securing this appropriation in the state budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year,’ said Dr. Michael Alessandri, Chairman of the Board of the Els for Autism Foundation. “We are also grateful to the entire Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis for approving this item in the state budget.”

“These funds will allow us to build on our mission of transforming the lives of people with autism by providing a full range of recreation choices,” said Dr. Marlene Sotelo, Executive Director of the Els for Autism Foundation. “This complex will include a purpose-built, sensory-friendly gymnasium and an aquatics center that will include a swimming pool and splash pad.”

“South Florida is surrounded by water, and the frequency of elopement and wandering behaviors of people with autism is heightened by the multitude of water access. Unfortunately, drowning is the number one cause of death for kids with autism, and programs designed to prevent these tragic events are essential to this community. Water safety and swim lessons will be a core feature of our program offerings at the Aquatics Center,” said Dr. Sotelo.

“Since starting the Els for Autism Foundation programs and services in 2015, it has always been our vision to provide the autism community with a robust offering of sports, fitness, arts, leisure, and healthy living programs,” said Liezl Els, Founder and Managing Director of the Els for Autism Foundation. “We are very grateful to our legislators for helping us get one step closer to making this dream a reality.”

Els for Autism Foundation® Opens Purpose-Built Building Dedicated to Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Els for Autism Foundation® takes great pride in announcing yet another milestone in its ongoing mission to offer limitless possibilities to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families with the grand opening of the Stoops Family Adult Services Building at The Els Center of Excellence® campus. The 21,000-square-foot building is a place for adults with ASD to access the essential support and services needed during the transition to adulthood years and throughout life as an adult.

One of the most pressing concerns for parents of autistic children is their transition after high school. While some individuals can and will pursue further education, others require alternative paths. Els for Autism® is now abundantly equipped to provide an alternative with the opening of the Stoops Family Adult Services Building.

The Els for Autism team’s commitment to research and evidence-based practices underscores the importance of addressing the needs of autistic adults to ensure continued learning, community engagement, and a productive and healthy lifestyle.

The purpose-built Stoops Family Adults Services Building incorporates innovative architectural features designed to cater to the unique needs of adults with ASD. The incorporation of full-length windows, acoustic block liners, LED lighting, and state-of-the-art technology fosters a supportive and sensory-friendly environment.

“As we expand our full-time Adult Day Training (ADT) program, we continue to provide comprehensive support to adults with autism, empowering them with vocational, independent living, and social skills. This prepares them to achieve their utmost potential in leading independent lives,” stated Dr. Marlene Sotelo, BCBA-D, MT-BC, Executive Director of Els for Autism.

To equip ADT clients with the needed tools and experiences, the Stoops Family Adults Services Building offers a range of specialized vocational labs and rooms, including the Stanley Black & Decker vocational training lab, the Sea of Possibilities Microbusiness, the Big Easy™ Cafe by Ernie Els, a sensory lounge, a hospitality & life skills suite, a grocery vocational lab, and dedicated therapy rooms.

“The Stoops Family Adults Services Building is a place where adults can explore different careers, make friends, and engage with the community,” said Liezl Els, Co-Founder of Els for Autism.

Supporting Parents through Transition

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You’re invited to join our “Supporting Parents through Transition” group.

Parents will meet with an Els for Autism® support group counselor and counselor intern for 75 minutes twice a month for three months to receive support and share ideas and resources. The co-facilitators will focus on strategies to assist the families in coping with their current challenges and transitions.

It is essential and highly recommended that the group participants commit to the entire series. Additionally, a mandatory initial 15-minute parent intake will be scheduled prior to beginning the group.

The group will meet on Zoom from 9 – 10:15 AM EST on the following dates:
September 14
September 28
October 11
October 25
November 8
November 25

Register by September 5; Cost $50 per parent

For more information, email Doreen Cammarata at doreen.cammarata@elsforautism.org

 

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You’re Hired! Employment Matching Success Story

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Although most adults on the spectrum have the knowledge and abilities necessary for success in the workplace, most autistic adults remain unemployed or underemployed.  The Els for Autism Employment Programs team supports adults with autism in finding and keeping jobs that fit their interests, goals, and ambitions.

Westside Cleaners is an award-winning laundromat near our headquarters. After our Employment Team visited to provide all our accommodations to support their business, Christine Benoig, decided to become an Employer Partner of ours and hire one of our clients. I decided to ask her about her hiring experience and outcomes.

What made you decide to move forward with the hiring process?

“I wanted him to feel good; I liked the on-the-job training program. It seemed like a win-win scenario.”

How did the Els For Autism staff help you onboard the right candidate for your business?

“Both David Mendel, Employment Specialist / Job Coach, and Kaylan Wrightson, Employment Specialist / Job Coach, from Els for Autism assessed the need I had and matched me with Stephen.”

What were the most rewarding experiences of having an employee on staff with autism?

“So many compliments on him; Stephen does a better job than my regular staff.”

What message would you give to other employers about hiring employees with autism?

“They need to be part of society. There is a big need for employment for these individuals.”

After the interview with Christine, I wanted to get the perspective of the client that she hired to get the total impact of hiring someone with autism.

What was the feeling you had about getting hired at Westside Cleaners?

“I was waiting so long to get a job, and it finally came true on May 30. I felt excited and happy. How did your work experience with Sea of Possibilities help you with working at Westside Cleaners? I previously had no work experience before Sea of Possibilities. The work experience I had with Sea of Possibilities allowed me to greet and talk to customers, complete tasks, and work with a team. It was very valuable.”

What do you like the most about your job?

“I am proud of the uniform that I wear while I am at work, that way, I feel like I am a part of the team. I also really like the supervisor I work for and the colleagues that I work with. Everyone is pretty nice and accommodating there.”

What did you spend your first paycheck on?

“I went to Publix to get a snack, specifically the Flipz chocolate pretzels.”

I want to thank Christine of Westside Cleaners for taking an interest in one of our clients, Stephen, and acknowledging the gifts someone with ASD can provide to the workplace. I also would like to thank Stephen for vocalizing the pride that he gets from working at Westside Cleaners.

Be sure to listen to July’s Fore Autism Podcast, co-hosted by Dr. Nate Shanok and me. We are interviewing the Associate Director of Adult Services, Dr. Robin Jones, about the Stoops Family Adult Services Building opening next month and the employment services we offer as part of our selection of discussion topics. To become an employer partner with us, contact Dr. Robin Jones at Robin.Jones@elsforautism.org or call her at 561-320-9516

Individuals with autism from around the globe teeing off in the Second Annual Ernie Els #GameON Autism® International Golf Tournament

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Individuals, as young as 5-years-old, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide will compete in the Second Annual Ernie Els #GameON Autism® International Golf Tournament on Monday, July 17, and Tuesday, July 18.

Official Program Providers (OPPs) of the Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Golf Program participating this year are Autism Okanagan (Canada), The Golf Trust (United Kingdom), Fafali Organization (Ghana), Els for Autism® South Africa (South Africa), and Els for Autism (United States). Players are competing for a team and an individual title and a golf prize pack.

Research has found that individuals with ASD benefit from physical activity in various ways. The team at Els for Autism, along with our network of international official program providers, are changing the culture of sports and recreation. People with autism are beginning to feel included and welcomed to participate in recreational activities, go to public places, and even take lessons or group classes with their local sports professionals. In fact, recreation, particularly sports, is now believed to be an effective supplemental therapy for people with autism. Els for Autism is proud to offer training programs for professionals worldwide who want to deliver one of the Ernie Els #GameOn Autism® Sports Programs (i.e., Golf, Tennis, or Fitness) at their site.

Supported Employment Programs

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Sibshops

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Led by highly qualified licensed mental health counselors, Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters who have a sibling with autism spectrum disorder peer support and information in an active, fun, and safe atmosphere.

If you want to meet new friends who have an autistic sibling to talk about experiences and explore how to handle challenging situations, Sibshops is for you! But it’s not all talk and no play. There will be plenty of time to participate in some fun games and recreation!

Els for Autism® staff is very excited to bring Sibshops to The Els Center of Excellence® in Jupiter, Florida, as this curriculum is used throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina, Ecuador, Iceland, Ireland, England, Italy, Malta, Singapore, and Turkey.

Participation in these Sibshops demonstrates a long-standing commitment to supporting and caring for their autistic sibling.

In addition to offering Sibshops in July, we also offer the Sam’s Sibs Stick Together Room. This support group meets virtually every month to address the needs of siblings of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and is led by a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Register below for the Sibshops now!

* Minimum of 4 Siblings Must Register to hold the Sibshop with a maximum of 10 in a group.

Register: Sam's Sibs Stick Together Room

Step 1 of 3

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of Each Month from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. EST on Zoom. (One-Time $50 Registration Fee)
Price: $50.00

How Pro Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els’ Journey of Raising his Autistic Son has Impacted the World

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Ernie Els has many titles, including “World of Golf Hall of Famer,” “Four-Time Major Champion,” and “The Big Easy,” but to Samantha and Ben, he’s “Dad.”

He married his wife, Liezl, in 1999, and shortly after, a perfectly healthy baby girl, named Samantha (Sam), entered their world. A few years later, along came their son, Ben. “From a very early age, we could sense that there was something not quite the same. They all say boys are a little bit slower, we all understand that, but Ben was particularly slow even to start crawling and didn’t make a lot of eye contact.”

Since Ben was born in 2002, there was not a lot of information on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). But when Ernie and Liezl started researching, they realized Ben checked every box. Ben was officially diagnosed with ASD at age three and a half years old.

They were living in England at the time and decided to enroll Ben in the same school as Sam. “He didn’t react well to the school, and, in fact, he absolutely despised going there. He couldn’t communicate with us, and it was tough on us all. Then, we started realizing, ‘You know what? Let’s try and find out what makes Ben happy.’ That is when our whole world started changing, and it’s because of a school we found in Florida.”

The Els family found a home in Palm Beach and enrolled their son in the school they had found. “He started loving it because he was going to school with his buddies; he was going to a place where he felt comfortable. He was so at ease, and he started smiling and just started opening up.”

The school was just what Ben needed; however, it was housed in an old commercial building with makeshift classrooms. “That’s when Liezl said, ‘It’s time to build something proper for kids with autism.'”

Using his golf platform, Ernie and Liezl, along with good friend, Marvin Shanken, of M.Shanken Communications, set out to establish the Els for Autism Foundation®, a 501 (c)(3), in 2009. They knew the best way to raise funds was through golf, and in March 2009, the inaugural Els for Autism Pro-Am raised $725,00, followed by the inaugural Golf Challenge in 2011, which raised $1.7 million.

In March 2014, they broke ground on a 26-acre property in Jupiter, Florida, to build the Els Center of Excellence® to serve individuals with ASD from age three through adulthood. The campus is now home to two educational wings, the Rupert Education Wing and the Shanken Education Wing, a Sensory Arts Garden, and the soon-to-be-completed Stoops Family Adults Services building. “At age 21, the system stops, either the child goes back into society or back home. Our adult services program strives to provide opportunities, such as employment and day programs, to these adults.”

But Ernie is far from done making the campus a haven for individuals with ASD. “Our next project is going to be building a recreation complex with a gymnasium, handicap accessible pool, and splash pad. We already have a little golf range and tennis courts on our property, and we do all kinds of recreation activities for individuals with ASD to come and just be themselves simply.” In fact, the Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Programs are changing the culture of sports and recreation by supporting individuals with ASD to feel included and confident to participate in recreational activities on and off our campus.

Even though Ernie has changed the game for thousands of individuals with ASD and their caregivers, he still reflects on the early years. “For those two years, I didn’t feel good about putting Ben in the same school as Sam. I kind of blame myself for some of the stuff, but now my relationship with Ben is fantastic. We’re best of friends. He loves golf, he’s not very athletic, but he loves coming to the golf course; he loves being outdoors; he loves people. He’s just a different guy.”

Els also commends the support of his daughter. “Samantha, she’s got to get so much credit, because, for a long time, she had to play second fiddle. And she’s come through it with flying colors. She’s a wonderful person, and she’s going to be looking after Ben when we’re not there, and she says she’s looking forward to that.”

To date, the Els for Autism Foundation team has raised more than $50 million to create a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with ASD and their families, thanks to the drive of Ernie Els, proud dad of Sam and Ben.

 

Raising my Two “Awesomely, Awesome, of Awesomeness” Autistic Sons

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By Merrick Egber

We, as an organization, are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and our staff are on the gamut of helping to lead the way to a better future for them.

David L. Mendel, our Employment Specialist/Job Coach and Registered Behavior Technician, is one of them and also a father of two young boys with ASD. For this Father’s Day, I wanted to interview him on how the diagnosis of ASD for his two sons impacted him, why he started to work here, and what impact he is making daily to help others, like his sons, to understand their place in this big, beautiful world that we live in.

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, David obtained his bachelor’s degree at West Chester University where he had careers in retail management and being a middle school teacher. After the birth of his oldest son, Salvatore, in 2012, he moved to Florida in 2014 and made the career shift to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy after his second son was born in 2015. David’s career in ABA therapy led him to be a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). While working in the field, he also developed skills that would lead to him becoming an employment specialist allowing him to work with children and adults. David also volunteers in the community with his sons at various special needs events.

Before your sons were born, what did you know about autism?

“I didn’t know much about autism before my son’s diagnosis. I have a cousin who has autism, but it was never explained to me other than the way he spoke. When Salvatore (Sal) was diagnosed, I began to learn more about ASD. To build a connection and to have a better relationship with Sal, I also began my journey as an ABA therapist.”

Where did you first hear about the Els for Autism Foundation®?

“I first heard about the foundation when my wife and I were researching for a school for our son, Sal, when he was first diagnosed, but at that time we lived much further away.”

What services and programs did you or do you use at Els for Autism®?

“I work in Adult Services, as part of the Employment Team, and on occasion assist with the ADT program. My son attended summer camp last year, and Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott met Sal during that camp and saw he needed communication support. Dr. Lozott then collaborated with Claire Seefried, a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), and gave Sal an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessment which opened the door to him having his own AAC device. Now, he is thriving at communication. Also, my co-workers share the resources they found with their clients in the past that I did not know about, and I use some of those services to help both of my boys. I am forever thankful for their collaboration and the support they have given me.”

What made you want to become an employee of Els for Autism Foundation?

“In my career as an RBT, I always heard how well Els for Autism collaborates, teaches, and empowers the individuals they serve and their families. As a parent and an ABA therapist, I knew that I wanted to belong with an organization, like Els for Autism, so I can grow my career to help other individuals like my sons, Sal and Domenic.”

While working at the Foundation, how did your understanding of the condition grow?  

“I found, working in the Adult Services department, there is more than what I thought Sal could do after completing school. I have some clients that are like Sal in their communication and behavior. I now can see that Sal can have a bright future because of my experience with these clients. Sal can have a job, be productive in society, and have independence when he grows up. After all, isn’t that what every father dreams about their kid’s future?”

How has it impacted your family knowing that you are making a living improving the lives of those with autism, like your sons?

“Our family has become more hopeful, knowing more about the options Sal has for his future. Also, I know that there are people, like me, within the Els for Autism community that will strive for the best resources for a better quality of life for the community that my children are a part of.”

What’s the most rewarding part of raising sons with autism?

“My two boys are unique in their own ways. They have talents that some people take a lifetime to discover. However, for them, it’s natural, and it is rewarding to see them find their natural abilities.”

What does Father’s Day mean to you?

“Being a father is rewarding itself. I have two boys of my own that I raise with my wife. My boys may struggle, but I am so proud of their achievements and what they already have overcome. Father’s Day is a day that I can reflect on how lucky I am to have these two awesomely, awesome, of awesomeness boys that show me the enjoyments of life that I could only imagine until I had them. Father’s Day to me is a day I always reserve to hang out with the boys that call me Dad.”

We would like to thank David Mendel for taking his time and engaging with us about what matters about being a father and raising two sons with autism. We would like to wish everyone a happy Father’s Day and show appreciation for the fathers who have cared for you, supported you, and guided you when you needed to find a way through.