NJ Man Clears a Path for Adults with Autism

by Dino Flammia

Don Bennetti of Edison has been and is offering a great opportunity for autistic adults at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center.

In 2006, parents involved with the center at Rutgers University formed a task force with the focus of finding jobs for their sons and daughters. The task was not so easy. "Finding jobs for autistic adults is very difficult," explains Bennetti. "There's not much out there." Bennetti took a break from knocking on doors for help, and worked on forming his own business. Soon after, Bennetti founded Men with Mops.
  
The business currently has 15 autistic adults on staff. Bennetti's son Luke is not one of them; he's got his own job. Men with Mops performs a wide range of services -- cleanup, lawn mowing, raking leaves, and more. Under trained supervisors, they do what they can during day program hours (10am-2:15pm Monday through Friday) and within a 30 mile distance from the center.

Bennetti remembers the first time his men received paychecks. "The smiles on their faces - that was the reward for starting Men with Mops." He says some parents didn't even want to cash the check - just frame it! That gave Bennetti some problems balancing his checkbook...

There are plans to expand, as described by Chris Manente, the DDDC's program coordinator. He says the first step would be expanding the Men with Mops work schedule beyond day program restrictions, meaning added hours and even weekends. "What we would have to do in order to do that is find a way to support our Men with Mops employees via job coaches outside the realms of what the Douglas Development Disabilities Center adult day program can provide." Manente says that can be done by having Men with Mops hiring their own job coaches, or having parents of adults with autism taking on the task. With those moves, Manente says Men with Mops could expand the program to be more available to a whole number of adults with autism in various locations throughout the state.

OTHER GOOD NEWS ABOUT NEW JERSEY:

Bowling for Bears
Cherry Hill

Over the past four years, this nonprofit has provided over 3,200 children in need with teddy bears for the holidays. The most impressive part of this charity - it's run by a young girl! The next bowling event is December 6th. People from the community with sponsor sheets come to bowl, and 100% of proceeds go to the cause.

Matthew Maher
Cape May County

This 25-year-old knows he made a mistake earlier this year, and now he's hoping to keep students off the same path he took. Matthew was involved in a fatal crash on the Atlantic City Expressway, and he later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and death by auto. He'll be sent to prison in January, but before then, Matthew is voluntarily touring schools in South Jersey to share his story and hopefully prevent other teens from making the same mistakes.

Project Thanksgiving
Cumberland County

The new committee held it's first turkey drive for the Salvation Army this past weekend. Local volunteers spent Saturday at four ShopRites, collecting cash and frozen turkeys to pass off to families in need for Thanksgiving. The two Army chapters in Cumberland County each serve at least 300 families.

James Smallwood
Williamstown

James has received national recognition and won $50,000 for his work. He's the founder of The Choice Is Yours, a free program that helps people get training, case management and job placement. Smallwood says he was motivated to help after fighting off an addition to cocaine in the 90s. About 600 troubled citizens have gone through the program.

Angel Lucy Wellness Project
Newark

Mario Santos created the project in honor and memory of his wife Lucy, who passed away of cancer in 2005. The free community-based project helps cancer patients and their families by providing info and support, and by developing or introducing them to activities that lead to an improvement of life. Fore more info, visit santronics.net.

Cleary Middle School
Buena

Students are attempting to connect with our troops overseas this holiday season. The school is working on two drives - the collection of unused cell phones and the collection of nonperishable items. All donations must be received by November 30th so that they can be sent to the troops in time for the holidays. To help out, call 856-697-0100.

Volunteer Guardianship One-on-One Inc.
Flemington

Volunteer Guardianship is a nonprofit that provides trained, screened and monitored volunteers to the court to act as legal guardians for those who have been declared incapacitated and have no family or friends to help. The slogan - "You are never alone."