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Meet Independence360 New Leaders!
Meet the new leadership team at Independence360—bringing fresh ideas, experience, and a deep commitment to our mission.
Partner Spotlight: Western Pest
In most circumstances, mosquitoes generally bring nothing but itching, scratching, and annoyance, but at Spectrum360’s annual Walk for a Lifetime, the sight of Western Pest Services’ giant mosquito mascot brings only smiles and laughter to the faces of S360’s students, families, and walk participants. It also reminds us all of their enduring support.
A New Collaboration Creates Opportunities for I360 Adults
The partnership between Independence360 and the nonprofit Nourish NJ is empowering adults on the spectrum and bringing together local communities.
At Independence360, meaningful experiences in the community are an important part of how adults continue to grow, learn, and discover their interests. The Volunteer Work Experience Program replaces the traditional prevocational services model and offers a new approach that focuses on building practical skills through real community experiences.
Through this program, adults take part in volunteer placements at a variety of local organizations, where they can contribute to important work while gaining hands-on experience. These placements allow participants to explore different types of tasks and environments, helping them better understand their strengths, preferences, and areas of interest.
Each volunteer experience is thoughtfully matched to the individual. Considerations such as comfort with noise levels, physical stamina, and personal preferences help determine which placements will be the best fit. As Jason Wetzel, Program Director, explained, “The idea behind the actual placement is going to be based [on] the individual’s ability to stand for a certain amount of time, noise sensory environments. We don’t want to send somebody who has a significant noise sensory restriction to a placement that is extremely loud or somebody who may struggle to stand for two hours be forced to stand for two hours.”
Participants may assist with office production tasks, support food distribution efforts, organize materials, or help with facility operations. These experiences provide opportunities to contribute while developing practical, real-world skills.
Before beginning a placement, individuals receive preparation and guidance to help them feel confident in their roles. Throughout the experience, job coaches provide ongoing support, helping participants learn new tasks, navigate expectations, and build independence over time.
The program also encourages exploration. By participating in a variety of volunteer settings, adults can discover what types of environments and activities they enjoy most. As Jason noted, “Part of adult programming is gathering experiences through a variety of different resources.”
Beyond skill development, the program helps individuals become active members of their communities. Volunteering allows participants to give back while also helping community organizations better understand their abilities. Jason explained that the goal is not only contributing to the community, but also “showing the community who our adults are and what they can do.”
In some cases, a volunteer placement may lead to a potential employment opportunity. When that happens, Spectrum360 can help individuals transition into supported employment services, providing additional guidance such as resume development, interview preparation, and job coaching.
Through these experiences, participants gain more than new skills. They gain confidence, independence, and a stronger sense of belonging in the communities around them.