If you know of a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance with Asperger’s Syndrome or high-functioning Autism, where can you turn for employment help?
With your financial help, the answer is Asperger Works.
MEET DANIEL
We would like to introduce you to Daniel Rajczyk, our Executive Director. Daniel received an A.S. in Computer and Information Services from Northern Essex Community College, a B.A. in Sociology and Media Studies from The Evergreen State College, and an M.S. in Information Technology with a GPA of 3.47 from Endicott College. Yet despite these impressive achievements, he has a spotty employment history. Most of the jobs he has held have been part-time or short-term and not one of them has challenged his mind or has allowed him to contribute to society in a meaningful way.
It’s not that he hasn’t tried. He has gone to many interviews confident that this time he would be hired. But he has rarely been asked back for a second interview and has often been told that he, like many other Aspies, is just not the right fit for the company.
MEET TOM
Another person you should meet is Thomas “Woody” Wood. Woody was a member of our Board of Directors until Cerebral Palsy, that forced him to use crutches to walk, robbed him of his ability to drive. He is about fifteen years Daniel’s senior. He found out that he had Asperger’s Syndrome at approximately the same time as Daniel (about nineteen years ago). The diagnosis answered a lot of questions for him, since having CP did not account for many of his issues.
Tom graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with both an Associate’s degree in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. From 1978 to 2001 he worked sporadically in the Central New England Region’s electronics industry. Despite his many talents, most of the time since 1978 he has been unemployed. Sad to say, even when he was employed, he never received appropriate compensation or advancement into any position that would have used his full knowledge, skills, and potential in today’s technological society. Finally, in 2001 he gave up trying to get a job and became permanently unemployed.
Daniel and Woody were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as adults.
At this time, there are no employment-related services for adults with AS.
Because of our communities that will be made stronger when adults with AS become employed and self-sufficient.
Because of all the dedicated individuals who are working to make life easier for this special group.
And because you know that you, your family members, and/or friends, should any of them need the help, will be treated like real people by dedicated, compassionate professionals.
2020 was a terrible year for our organization. Due to COVID-19, we were forced to close our doors as we all settled in for self-quaranteen. But, we were able to reopen in Haverhill, MA in March of 2021.
It is our hope that in the coming months and years more of you will join us in our quest to help adults with AS succeed as meaningfully employed individuals.
Your tax-deductible gift is extremely important because it offers hope to those with AS and provides immediate resources to our organization.
Because of people like you, we had another successful fundraising dinner in October of 2021. And plans are already being made for our ten-year anniversary.
Because of people like you, we are moving forward. Due to the support of one of our yearly dinner sponsors, Pentucket Bank, we were able to raise enough money to hire a part-time Business Community Outreach Coordinator. Through her efforts, we introduced a number of businesses to Autism/Asperger’s and AWorks (check out AWorks Job Marketplace). This is definitely a step in the right direction. Our hope is that we will be able to do presentations to more businesses thereby not only raising the awareness of Autism/Asperger’s but acceptance of all those who seek employment.
Everyone at Asperger Works joins me in thanking you for your generous partnership. Our future clients are counting on your support. Please help make our mission possible with your generous contribution.
You can donate by sending a check to Asperger Works, Inc., 48 Marshland Street, Haverhill, MA 01830. Or you can charge your gift. Become a sustainer or a one-time donor. It is up to you what method you chose. But please donate and help!