Eagles Autism Foundation Awards VFES $15,000 Grant

We are thrilled to announce The Vanguard School has received a generous grant of $15,000 from the Eagles Autism Foundation. This grant will support Phase II of our Pre-Employment Training Center (PETC), which provides valuable on-campus job readiness training and work experience opportunities for our students. EAF was instrumental in the establishment of PETC, which includes a fully operational student-run on-campus café, Phins! Phase II of PETC will offer work experience in mailing and distribution, auto detailing, horticulture and maintenance and custodial services.

Pre-employment training is essential for many reasons. Neurodiverse students often face unique challenges, such as difficulties with social interaction, communication and executive functioning. Pre-employment training helps address these challenges by offering structured tasks and experiences designed to develop job-readiness skills, foster independence and prepare individuals for future employment. This is crucial for helping students transition from school to the workforce. 
The Eagles Autism Foundation grant will have a profound impact on our students. They will gain valuable skills and confidence, as well as explore different career paths, develop their strengths and build a foundation for future employment. 

We are incredibly proud to be a partner of the Eagles Autism Foundation and grateful for our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable future for our neurodiverse community. Go EAGLES!