 |
The EmployME Job Seeker Program is designed specifically to empower and support Autistic self-advocates in their journey towards meaningful employment. AutismTN's EmployME program is strengths-based and centers neurodiversity by celebrating and embracing the diverse and unique perspectives of Autistic people. The program also includes online pre-employment resources, independent living supports, and a growing list of inclusive employers.
AutismTN offers quarterly EmployME small group sessions which include a series of four hybrid sessions taking place weekly over the course of one month: Session Topics:
Participants will receive AutismTN’s Job Seeker Resource Guide, which is linked in your registration confirmation email and reviewed throughout the series. Additionally, each participant has the opportunity to schedule a one-hour, one-on-one coaching session to explore specific job opportunities, deepen their understanding of program topics, or receive personalized career guidance. |
| Meet Your Facilitator EmployME Job Seeker small group sessions are facilitated by Ben Vos, who is new to the team as interim Program Director for EmployME. Trained as a child and family therapist in the Chicagoland area with Wheaton Youth Outreach, Ben has more than two decades of experience as a seasoned counselor, coach, volunteer program leader, and community organizer. Ben has a masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College (IL) and recently completed his International Coaching Federation training to become a certified coach. Ben has also worked as a career counselor in private practice, and served as a career readiness program manager for Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee. Ben’s service with the Partnership Council for Metro Nashville Public Schools connected him with educators and community business partners throughout the Nashville area. His wife, Desiree, is an autistic self-advocate and a tribal leader of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe in Virginia. He recently presented on the topic of Responsible Allyship at the Middle Tennessee chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management and coaches individuals and organizations on strategies for inclusion, access, talent mobility, and employee retention. |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming 2024 EmployME Small Group Sessions Schedule:
August 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th at 6:00 p.m. CT | Cost (total for the full series of four sessions): This program is currently free thanks to the generosity of our grantor: |
 |  |  |
We are thankful to our grantors, The Glen and Dorothy Stillwell Charitable Trust and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, for awarding the funding to help make EmployME possible and to the AutismTN staff, Board of Directors, volunteers, stakeholders, and those actually Autistic job-seekers for helping us create a meaningful program.