With the unemployment rate for individuals with autism around 90 percent, Rachelle Vartanian is on a mission. Founder of Living and Learning in downtown Northville, Vartanian is helping individuals with autism and other special needs learn skills to gain employment and independence.
For individuals ready to seek employment and looking for job skills training Vartanian offers The Success Program. Students learn interviewing skills, how to greet customers, and other job skills. To
provide on the job training Vartanian partners with Maybury Farm, Fresh Thyme, Rebecca's Restaurant, and First Centennial Title.
A mother to a teenager with autism and a former special education teacher, Vartanian launched Living and Learning to fill a need. “I felt a sense of urgency to create a social skills group and couldn’t find any programs. After many sleepless nights, I took a buyout from my school district and launched Living and Learning,” she says.
Living and Learning’s programs include a support group for parents, video modeling, social skills programs and more. “Our Friday and Saturday Night Hang Outs are literally changing lives. Young adults who normally sat at home all
weekend with nothing to do are now making new friends and making plans to get together on their own. This is a huge accomplishment for someone with autism or special needs,” says Vartanian.
Her organization expects to receive 501c3 nonprofit status before the end of the year. Learn more at www.LivingandLearningCenter.
