Joe McGhee of Jacksonville, Fla., knows because his 17-year-old son, Jared, who has autism, longed to fit in.

“He became more socially well-adjusted in school after he was paired with his Buddies,” says Joe. “His Buddy, Todd, spends time with him. And he has a better time at school having a friend to do stuff with and pal around with at lunch and other events.”

Jared has benefited from his association with Best Buddies, an organization that assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization helped him cultivate friendships, learn how to conduct job searches and perfect communication skills.

Best Buddies International, founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, serves people with Down Syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Erika Hatch, area director for Best Buddies in Jacksonville, Fla., says the organization pairs students with and without disabilities at the beginning of the school year so the friendship has time to develop.

“We also do an assessment of the students’ likes and needs to pair them up. Friendships start to form and many wind up being friends for life,” she says. “The students sometimes have lunch together and text or call each other during the week.”

“Best Buddies has given my son the confidence to learn to speak up during group situations and attend dance socials with Todd, and other Best Buddies,” McGhee says. “Best Buddies also encourages Jared to have more one-on-one relationships with his peers. They host various events throughout the year that allow Jared and his Buddies to have fun at gatherings and on friendship walks.”

Todd, a junior in high school, comes to the McGhee’s home to hang out and play video games with Jared, who is a senior. The two attend the same high school and have been buddies for three years.

“I think the staff at Best Buddies really cares for all the participants and volunteers,” McGhee adds. “They’re always looking for folks to be Best Buddies.”

He, too, is active in the organization, both as a parent and as a State Farm^® agent.

Best Buddies hosts a major fund-raiser called Best Buddies Night of Champions. Supporters sponsor a table and encourage others to attend the celebration.

McGhee says Best Buddies has changed his son.

“Jared has become more socially well-adjusted and verbal since connecting with Best Buddies,” he says. “I’m proud of him and the progress he has made.”

“At the time my daughter was diagnosed, I had no idea what autism was,” Westra says. “I learned the future for people with autism was challenging, with 90 percent being unemployed.”

She started the nonprofit, Autism Shifts, to provide employment and community integration opportunities for people on the spectrum.

“While many people with autism are talented individuals with amazing skills, they have some challenges with social and communication skills and multi-tasking. They can learn or improve some of these skills at the Artistas Café,” shared Westra, the founder of the Café.

Artistas Café provides real-world training and employment in a safe environment for people diagnosed with autism. The café, formerly located in an auto dealership in Tampa, Fla., is now a mobile café, thanks in part to a grant from State Farm^®.

^“The mobile Café will allow Artistas to take its program into the community to schools, businesses, and events,” Westra said. “Not only will it provide gourmet beverages and foods, but it also will allow us to deliver our Autism Ready Educational Program. We believe this will accelerate our mission to create an Autism Ready Community.”

Arlo Henderson discovered the unique café during a routine car service appointment. After visiting the café, the Tampa, Fla., State Farm® agent was so impressed with the customer service he became a board member for Autism Shifts, the nonprofit that runs it.

“I loved that Artistas Café looks at what people with autism can do instead of what they cannot do. They call it finding their ‘uniqabilities,’” he says. “I always like to find people’s strengths and help them understand how they can best use them.”

Henderson is one of the many business people helping make Westra’s vision a reality. He previously had an autistic team member in his office who helped him see everyone struggles with communication at one time or another.

“My team member helped me better understand how much value every individual can bring to the workplace,” Henderson says. “He also helped me personally grow as a manager and leader.”

Because of the success of the Café, the vision has expanded to establish an Artistas Development Center. It is designed to serve individuals on various levels of the autism spectrum.

“I’m working with business partners, including doctors, engineers and nutritionists to help create the Center,” Henderson adds. “When people understand the unique skills and abilities people with autism bring to the table, they will be eager to hire them.”