Page 8 - Jupiter Spotlight - September '22

Page 8, Jupiter Spotlight
Entrepreneurs Launch Professional Career Services

For Adults With Autism

Approximately 80 percent of adults who have autism Atkins advises boards of directors, executives, and develops their confidence. We all have brilliant talents –
spectrum disorder (ASD) are unemployed, which was the investors in transition. He developed and managed let’s use them.”
exact statistic that propelled two entrepreneurs, Kathryn executive transition services, staffing and recruiting Work Force Match is recruiting candidates and
Kerrigan and Michael Atkins, to create Work Force systems for global organizations, SWIFT banking employers in the South Florida region. To learn more
Match, Inc. Work Force Match, Inc. is an innovation network and Lockheed Martin aerospace. about the company or to sign up as a candidate or
solution combined with professionals that provides job Work Force Match provides solutions that support employer, please visit WFMatch.com.
and career support for those with autism while in parallel, autistic job seekers navigating the employment search Employment Statistic For Autistic Adults
increasing the rights for those with autism (or who may and application process, while effectively communicating The National Autism Society statistics show that
be on the spectrum). By consulting corporations, Work their skills and abilities to prospective employers. about 16 percent of autistic adults, including people with
Force Match assists employers to meet the organization’s Additional career development services provided by Asperger’s syndrome, are in full-time paid employment
diversity, equity and inclusion programs while also Work Force Match include detailed assessment, career and only 32 percent are in paid work, but 77 percent of
providing an opportunity for those with ASD to be part coaching, access to webinars, candidate profile, career unemployed autistic adults want to work. Our mission is
of the community. planning and general employee development, training, to improve this situation.
The idea has been a goal of Kathryn Kerrigan’s for and mentorship.
many years and is based on her own personal experience As stated by Atkins, “We want to encourage candidates
in the field and countless friends’ as well. Kerrigan, with ASD to enter the workforce in a supportive way that
once diagnosed with Asperger’s (outdated terminology),
always knew she was a bit different in social and work
settings. “Most people are shocked when I mention it,” New Programming At La Posada
says Kerrigan. As CEO of Work Force Match, Inc., her
background includes CEO of AI software development
company; UnKommon Revolution; executive leadership Helps Residents Navigate The
at Royal Caribbean and BrandsMart USA; and the
founder of Kathryn Kerrigan Footwear, one of the first
.com fashion footwear companies. Given her technology Ever-Changing World Of Technology
background, Kathryn recognized many of her team
members fell somewhere within the spectrum.
After meeting Michael Atkins, executive chairman of As tools and technologies continue to advance,
Work Force Match, Inc., the idea came to fruition. His many seniors can feel left behind and overwhelmed
background includes chairman and CEO of Amaxven, by the growing list of programs, apps and websites
a Hobe Sound-based management consulting and now utilized in everyday life. This digital divide
investment firm. Their like-minded business attitudes was exacerbated by the pandemic, which drove
developed Work Force Match. Atkins recalled a family a rapid acceleration in the use of telehealth and
member working in the school system and recalls the other online services. While technology kept most
brilliance and tragedy of unsupported autistic students. Americans connected to healthcare and loved ones,
countless seniors felt isolation and frustration as a
result of their lack of familiarity with technology.
It’s The Law! La Posada, a Kisco Senior Living community
located in Palm Beach Gardens, wants to help
its residents fill the digital gap. Through a partnership with In addition to guided lessons, DiPanni frequently holds
Did You Know That, In local organization, Social Savvy Seniors, the community has one-on-one sessions with residents to further assist them
introduced programming to motivate participants to explore with their individual technology needs. One such individual,
Florida… the uses and benefits of technology and social media. Chuck Sawicki, is a passionate advocate for the Social Savvy
Founded in 2017 by Tiffany DiPanni, Social Savvy Seniors Seniors program and has received one-on-one training from
By Adam S. Gumson, inspires seniors to enhance their quality of life by using DiPanni to help with his business. Through Social Savvy
Esq. technology. Through presentations, guided lessons and one-on- Senior’s Business for Boomers program, Sawicki has
If a trust owns a one sessions, the organization is educating La Posada residents been able to perfect his presentations, get emails promptly
unit in a condominium and the greater Palm Beach senior community on how best to answered and master his personal devices to conduct
association, the grantor use technology and social media to their advantage. business efficiently for his volunteer responsibilities in the
of the trust, or a qualified Palm Beach County SCORE chapter.
beneficiary of the trust, “I see Tiffany as a mentor,” noted Sawicki. “Many of
is considered a member us are intimidated by the rapid pace at which technology is
of the association and growing, but she is patient and encourages us to work with
can serve as a director of technology rather than against it.”
the association provided The partnership between La Posada and Social Savvy
he/she occupies the Seniors has also provided residents the ability to enjoy
condominium unit. modern amenities provided at the community, such as
Original wills must be deposited with the clerk of voice-command devices and Touchtown, La Posada’s mobile
court within 10 days after the person holding the will community-connection app. “Social Savvy Seniors has
is informed of the death of the signatory. The clerk of given our residents confidence when using technology and
the court will hold the original will in original form social media,” said Rick Minichino, wellness director at La
for a minimum of 20 years. “Growing up, I spent a lot of time around my grandmother Posada. “It makes daily responsibilities easier for them and
A guardian advocacy is a form of guardianship for and her friends, which led me to notice that many seniors allows residents to stay connected with their families and
a person with developmental disabilities who is not lacked important personal connections to their families because fully engage in life at the community.”
fully incapacitated, but needs assistance in handling they either weren’t using social media platforms or had As a Kisco Senior Living community, La Posada is
their person or property. It is less restrictive than a difficulties trying to send texts or emails,” said DiPanni. “In a dedicated to offering enriching experiences that encourage
formal guardianship. digital age, most of us take these conveniences for granted, but residents to pursue their passions. The Social Savvy
Real estate is conveyed by a deed signed by two many older generations grew up without modern technology, Seniors program is just one of many engaging programs
witnesses and a notary public and is recorded in the so they are missing out on the immense benefits technology and activities offered to residents daily. Along with tech-
county where the property is located. can provide.” focused programming, wellness at La Posada includes
A corporation for profit that is solely performing Social Savvy Seniors is conducting an ongoing multi-part upwards of 50 different programs that target each facet
the purposes of a not-for-profit corporation can petition series at La Posada consisting of presentations and discussions of wellness including game and movie nights, exercise
the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal about online security, social media, personal devices, fraud and classes, excursions to local areas of Palm Beach Gardens
place of business is located for a change in status. more. Since beginning the program six months ago, residents and much more.
Jupiter Law Center is a private neighborhood law have vastly improved their tech-savvy skills, enabling them to “At La Posada, we consistently evaluate current events
firm located in the RiverPlace Professional Center, better manage prescriptions, use online banking, avoid scams, and issues that affect our senior residents,” said Minichino.
1003 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 210, Jupiter, FL, (561) video-chat with family, and even shop online independently. “Our primary goal is to provide a high quality of life, so we
744-4600, jupiterlawcenter.com. The firm provides Residents Bill and Marilyn Quinn have gained a wealth continuously pursue new programs and activities that will
peace of mind by solving problems with integrity of knowledge from the program. Although both required not only better their lives but inspire them to take charge of
and compassion in the areas of estate planning different levels of assistance with technology, each of their their well-being.”
(wills and trusts, powers of attorney, health care unique needs were addressed through Dipanni’s instruction.
surrogates, living wills, probate estates, succession While Bill received solutions to better manage his cellphone If you’re interested in learning more about life
planning, contracts and purchase/sale agreements), and email, Marilyn used Dipanni’s advice to help her identify at La Posada, call 561.475.3386 today to schedule
family law (divorce, paternity, child support and time scams and shop online safely. “My wife is the social director your personal tour and experience the La Posada
sharing, alimony, property distribution, modifications, of our family,” laughed Bill. “Since we started participating lifestyle yourself. Visit mylaposada.com for more
collaborative law, pre/post nuptial agreements) and in the program, she is always on Facetime with family and information.
real estate (community association law, residential friends and loves to shop online.”
and commercial transactions, deeds, closings). Paid Advertisement