IGNITE is a program of the Autism Society of North Carolina, with founding support from the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation. Winter 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 1
Meet Our New Director! We are excited to introduce the new director of IGNITE, Mindy Govan. Mindy brings a wealth of experience acquired over her 25-year career. For the past 17 years, she worked at TEACCH, where she was a certified TEACCH clinician, trainer, consultant, program developer, and coach. Prior to that, she worked as a rehabilitation counselor for the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as a substance abuse counselor. Mindy has created and facilitated social
“I enjoy working with both individuals with autism and their parents to identify and clarify their goals for independence and dreams for the future.” skills groups for high school and university students, worked with young adults individually on strategies and skill building, and developed and facilitated parent support groups. She is a perfect fit for IGNITE. Read on for a message from Mindy: My passion is working with adolescents and young adults as they make their transition into adulthood. This is an exciting, yet difficult, time for them, but also for their parents. I believe it is important to recognize and be sensitive to the fact that both the young adult and their parents are transitioning to a new phase of life. I plan to offer parent education nights as well as continuing the parent support groups. I enjoy working with both individuals with autism and their parents to identify and clarify their goals for independence and dreams for the future. My strategy to enhance the services and increase member programs at IGNITE encompasses a two-pronged approach: 1) The whole-person philosophy: An enriched, happy life includes health, wellness, sexuality, positive social interactions, independent leisure skills, and meaningful employment to include either paid or volunteer work. 2) Skills must be successful in the community: For example, selfadvocacy and asking for help, appropriate personal hygiene, ability to follow directions and time limits. I am very excited about my position as the new director of IGNITE and about IGNITE’s continued growth for its members and the families we serve.
IGNITE is a unique ‘peer-to-peer’ community center for young adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) offering activities, skills training, and educational workshops that foster social, financial, educational, and employment independence for its members. More importantly, IGNITE offers a social environment where members can connect with others and experience a sense of community.
For more information: Mindy Govan, IGNITE Director 704-897-8982 mgovan@autismsociety-nc.org www.ignite-davidson.org www.autismsociety-nc.org You can donate to IGNITE online or send a check made out to the Autism Society of North Carolina: IGNITE • 209 Delburg St., Suite 134 Davidson, NC 28036
Member Spotlight: Andre Brown
What’s Happening at IGNITE?
Andre Brown grew up in Princeton, NJ, with his family. That is also where he met his good friend Steven Sokal, who eventually moved to North Carolina with his family and joined as a member of IGNITE. After a trip to visit Steven and his family, Andre was ready for a change and decided to make the move to North Carolina on his own!
This past October, IGNITE welcomed its first quarterly member intern, Robert Gooden. For the internship, IGNITE looks for members who want to expand their knowledge and gain valuable experience in the workplace to help them prepare for employment in the community.
Andre and Steven moved into an apartment together in Mooresville, NC, and Andre joined IGNITE in July 2015. Andre works full-time for Sokal Media Group, an advertising agency for automotive dealerships, as an administrative assistant. Andre says he loves working at the agency, which is “very people-friendly and a family environment.” But Andre’s true passion is fitness. Staying fit was hard for him in high school because of an injury, but when he attended Mercer County Community College, staying in shape became a priority. Andre has been an avid follower of fitness YouTubers and podcasts for a while now, and he decided he wanted to help others on their journeys to a healthy lifestyle.
Quarterly Internship
Robert, who has been a member since February 2014, did an excellent job providing assistance with day-to-day tasks. He also provided a lot of support in preparation for AmeriCarna LIVE, and he always came to work with a positive outlook. Robert will make an excellent employee! “During my internship at IGNITE, I learned the values of hard work, helping others, and helping to make IGNITE the best organization it can be,” Robert said. “As this internship draws to a close, I hope that I made IGNITE a better organization. IGNITE has improved my life immensely, and I hope this internship was a way I could show gratitude.”
Ray J’s Reviews: Check out IGNITE member Ray J Evernham’s movie reviews online: www.facebook.com/pg/rayjsreview
“IGNITE gave me the confidence to go after what I want in life” Andre earned two certifications for personal training and strength and conditioning. He then started his own personal training business, Jawaan Fitness, in the fall of 2016. Andre currently has two clients, whom he trains through online programs and in person. He is also helping a fellow IGNITE member reach his health and fitness goals. Andre also shares workout plans, dieting plans, and fitness programs on his website, www.jawann-fitness.com, and builds custom plans based on clients’ goals. “IGNITE gave me the confidence to go after what I want in life,” Andre said. “I love how everyone is welcoming and treats you like family.” In his spare time, Andre enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling, trying new restaurants, shopping, and spending time with family. Andre hopes to help as many people in the world as he can to get healthy in a simple, effective way! !
PG 2– IGNITE NEWS • Winter 2017
The movie “Patriots Day” was amazing. We all remember the story when the Boston marathon bombing happened, but what you see in the movie is what the Police, First Responders, and FBI had to go through and how they worked together to find the two men who were responsible! The film also shows the inspiring stories of some of the victims who were injured. I also thought it was cool how the filmmakers used actual camera footage from the horrific day and the hunt for the men and weaved it into the movie. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars.
Rogue One – by Robert Gooden, IGNITE Member IGNITE’S fundraiser in December, featuring an advance showing of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” was a rousing success. More than 100 people came to see the latest film in the Star Wars franchise at Our Town Cinema in Davidson. Virtually everyone who saw the movie seemed to enjoy it. Prior to the event, IGNITE formed a movie committee to drum up publicity for the fundraiser. The committee designed posters advertising “Rogue One” and posted them at businesses around Davidson. During the process, IGNITE members learned the steps to putting on a fundraiser, such as securing a theater to host the movie showing, advertising, and ticket distribution. I really enjoyed being on the movie committee, and I learned a lot of valuable skills.
IGNITE Gives Back Someone once said, “It’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy.” IGNITE has started giving back to the community to express gratitude. Recently, IGNITE members led a canned food drive to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. The goal for this year’s food drive was to donate 100 items of food. Members rallied to reach their goal, creating posters and encouraging others to help those in need. IGNITE members are proud to say that they exceeded their goal and donated well over 100 items that equated to 134 pounds. Way to go, IGNITE members!
AmeriCarna LIVE More than 5,000 people enjoyed the fourth annual AmeriCarna LIVE car show in Davidson in November with host Ray Evernham, IGNITE founder, current host of the television show “AmeriCarna,” legendary NASCAR championship crew chief, and team owner. The event featured nearly 600 cars from proud collectors and celebrities, including NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Joey Logano. The show and a gala the night before raised more than $125,000 to benefit IGNITE. Two generous sponsors, MSC Industrial Supply Co. and Autogeek.com, each donated $15,000 during the car show. Evernham said he hopes AmeriCarna LIVE will continue to grow. “This is an incredible place of love and unselfishness every year,” he said. Checkout photos from the event on ASNC’s Flickr profile: www. flickr.com/photos/autismsocietync.
IGNITE NEWS • Winter 2017 – PG 3
Donor Spotlight:
the Adamczyk Family
Jay Adamczyk first heard about IGNITE in press releases about its founding from Ray Evernham, NASCAR crew chief and owner. Jay followed Evernham because he runs the Jayski. com website about NASCAR, but he also has a stepdaughter with Asperger’s and thought the program would be a great fit for her. He was right. Jenny Markle has been a member for more than two years now, and the program has really boosted her self-confidence, her parents say. “Jenny likes being a leader whenever she can,” Jay said. “IGNITE gave her a chance to do so and feel good and comfortable about it.” Over the years, the whole family has become very involved in IGNITE. Peg, Jenny’s mother and Jay’s wife, has volunteered at the AmeriCarna LIVE car show. The family also has made very generous contributions to IGNITE, which are matched 1:1 by Disney, which owns Jayski.com. IGNITE is important because most other groups are geared toward children and teens, Jay said. “After the kids turn 18, it is like they and the parents are left to fend for themselves. These young adults need continued support, and IGNITE provides that.” IGNITE is a welcoming space that makes the young adults feel safe to be themselves and socialize, he said. “IGNITE provides a place for them to learn skills that they would never learn elsewhere,” Jay said. “Like any kids/young adults, they tend not to always listens to parents and getting
the same feedback and training from someone else helps.” “We are so grateful for the impact of not only the Adamczyks’ gifts and dedication in securing the employer match to double their impact, but of their great love and support of not only Jenny, but all the members at IGNITE on their journey to adulthood,” said Kate Hall, ASNC Director of Operations. The family encourages everyone to become involved with IGNITE. “You will be impressed with how smart many of these young adults are and how their strengths can be used in the workplace,” Jay said. “IGNITE gears programs to reinforce these strengths. It teaches these young adults to find success and how to function as an adult in the real world.” We are fortunate to have the Adamczyks as part of our IGNITE family!
3nd annual
Stand Up for Autism Paddleboard Event Friday & Saturday, May 5-6 Port City Club in Cornelius
PG 4– IGNITE NEWS • Winter 2017