Spring 2014 Volume 1, Issue 3
NEWS IGNITE is a program of the Autism Society of North Carolina, with founding support from the Evernham Family Racing for a Reason Foundation
Story of Success! Mike Hauck graduated high school in 2007. He became certified in A+ (basic computer repair), MCP (Windows XP), and N+ (Basic Networking). Then Mike sat home and played video games and read fan fiction for 6 years. Mike had never been invited to a party or had friends come over to his house. He didn’t have any real belief that he could get a job, either, so there was no point in trying. He did volunteer at The Bin once a week from a connection made through his mother, just to get out of the house.
IGNITE is a unique ‘peer-topeer’ community center for young adults with highfunctioning autism (HFA) or Asperger 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.
Mike joined IGNITE at its inception in January of 2013, and his life has changed dramatically. Initially, Mike was reluctant to talk in a group, and needed to sit on the floor in the corner with his treasured computer in front of him (almost like a barrier) at all times. Mike’s attention was always on the discussion in the group (he is someone who rarely misses details), and he had very insightful answers when called on for his thoughts; but his eye contact was fleeting, he spoke very quietly, and he rarely smiled or laughed. Mike is a different person now, just over a year from his initial entry into IGNITE. His days are now spread between three part-time jobs in addition to his continued volunteerism at The Bin; he interviewed and was hired by Bumbalooza, a gluten free baking company in Charlotte (www.bumbalooza.com), and also works for the Autism Society of North Carolina, who snapped him up as an office assistant at IGNITE once they saw how his skills matched the needs of the center. Mike has also established a positive reputation running his own business providing computer maintenance, repair, and teaching computer skills to others. His IGNITE friends drop by the house regularly, and he has vacationed away from family with those friends - for the first time on his own. He and another IGNITE member are looking for an apartment together, and although he is now adept at accessing public transportation, he will soon begin driving instruction, and looks forward to going back to school to gain more certifications.