THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2021! We couldn’t have done it without you..
Dear Friends,
First and foremost, we want to open with our heartfelt appreciation for your support of I CAN Network. It is a privilege to have your trust as we work to empower Autistic young people and prove what Autistic people CAN do.
We’re an Autistic-led non-profit trying to reach as many Autistic young people nationally as we can. Please help us reach the Autistic young people who fall through the gaps in the NDIS.
A donation of $45 covers the place of one Autistic young person in a group mentoring session and helps create employment for Autistic adult mentors.
None of the wonderful highlights below from our 2021 would have been possible without the generous support of our partner organisations, donors and community supporters like YOU.
HIGHLIGHT #1 – INCREASING OUR AUTISTIC TALENT BASE
In 2021, we have been able to reinforce our position as Australia’s largest Autistic-led employer of Autistic talent. Of our 80 staff, we have created paid employment opportunities for 63 Autistic people to in turn mentor 2000+ Autistic young people in Australia through I CAN Schools and our National Online Group Mentoring Program.
HIGHLIGHT #2 – AN EVEN BIGGER AWETISM VIRTUAL EXPO
We closed out the year with our AWETISM 2021 Virtual Expo, the largest Autistic youth event in Australia, which ran on 12 November. For the second year in a row, this event was held entirely online. This day-long celebration of Autistic passions and insights aired free to the public and featured more than 125 Autistic students from across Australia sharing their in-depth knowledge around their passions. The event also included presentations from community and government partners, professional development content for teachers and the premiere of our training module for supporting Autistic LGBTIQA+ young people. All of the content is available for free through 12 December for those of you who might not have been able to join us on the day: www.awetism.vfairs.com.
HIGHLIGHT # 3 – GROWING OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS & GEOGRAPHIC REACH
In 2021, we had the privilege of working with over 90 schools across Queensland and Victoria, including schools in our newest regional hub in Barwon (VIC). We are grateful to our many partner schools who put their trust in us to convert our face-to-face mentoring into online sessions to ensure I CAN Network could remain an anchor of support for Autistic school students during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
HIGHLIGHT #4 – DRAMATICALLY EXPANDING ONLINE MENTORING
Since 2017, we have been a national leader in Autistic-led online group mentoring, providing safe, inclusive and engaging spaces for Autistic young people to connect with peers and mentors . In 2021, we offered 1,370 mentoring spaces for young people ages 8-22, including dramatically increasing the number and themes of our very popular interest-based groups.
HIGHLIGHT #5 – LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING AUTISTIC LGBTIQA+ YOUNG PEOPLE
Throughout the year, we continued to develop content that reflects the lived experience and insights of Autistic young people. Earlier this year, we were one of 12 organisations granted a HEY (Healthy Equal Youth) Grant by the Victorian government and developed youth-informed resources for Autistic LBGTIQA+ young people, the adults who care about them, and service providers, along with a powerful, free training session that premiered at the AWETISM Expo (accessible for free through 12 December). We continue to share the lived experience and expertise of our team through consultancy projects with government departments and policy submissions.
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
As an Autistic-led not-for-profit business, we deeply appreciate the financial support that allows us to reach even more Autistic young people, their families and their schools.
If you wish to make a donation to us this holiday season, you can do so here:
We have some wonderful aspirations for the coming year and hope you will continue to follow and support our work. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays on behalf of our entire I CAN Network team.
Chris Varney
Founder & Chief Enabling Officer
