LifeWorks at WKU, a living and learning community supporting autistic young adults, recently announced it received $4.4 million in funding from the Kentucky General Assembly.
The funds will be used to support the two-year living-and-learning Transition Academy and for the creation of the new Bridge Program.
Independent Living Takes Practice
LifeWorks at WKU empowers young autistic adults to realize their full potential and successfully lead lives of independence, self-direction, and inclusion.
Established in 2020, the LifeWorks Transition Academy is a structured, two-year postsecondary program that focuses on empowering young adults diagnosed on the autism spectrum to successfully transition to the next chapter of life by working on key areas such as employability, housing & transportation, health wellness, & nutrition, daily living skills, relationships, financial management, adaptability, personal safety and social & leisure activities.
The funds will help reduce the out-of-pocket tuition costs of qualified participants who reside in the Julie & Gary Ransdell Living and Learning Community while attending the two-year program.
The newly established Bridge Program, commonly referred to as a ‘commuter’ program, assists autistic young adults with supported employment opportunities and a comprehensive independent living curriculum.
“LifeWorks would not be here today, and we would not have the opportunity to address the needs of autistic young adults without the support of the Kentucky General Assembly,” said John Kelly, Chairman of the LifeWorks Board of Directors. “They have given us the assistance to chart a path for our future where individuals will have better success at obtaining and maintaining employment and lead self-sufficient, productive lives.”
Bridging Gaps, Building Relationships
Nationally, 85% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed.
LifeWorks has reversed the national trend, resulting in 90% of its participants currently working part-time or full-time.
“The whole idea of LifeWorks is to focus on job development,” said Kelly. “This is a program that teaches, assists, and supports individuals on the spectrum who need the skills to be successful in the workplace. Our local and state representatives are acutely aware of the needs of our participants, and we can’t thank them enough for their impactful support.”
LifeWorks is an extension of the services provided by the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex (CEC).
For nearly 20 years, the CEC has provided services for individuals and families impacted by autism and other neurodiversities.
The programs at the CEC are available for individuals 12 months old through college-age, while LifeWorks supports young adults on the spectrum (ages 21-30).
For more information about the CEC, visit wku.edu/wkucec.
For more information about LifeWorks at WKU, visit lifeworksatwku.org.
