MIOGI

MIOGI was started in 2019 after we spent time assisting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at parents’ night off events. Interacting with the children was rewarding; seeing their parents several hours later at pick-up was moving. School support programs, therapists, and treatment specialists were available and in force for these families. Yet, even with 4-8 hours of outside support, it was clear that many of these  parents were barely holding on. 

Over time as we watched the children mature, we began to wonder what would happen when these young adults “aged out” of the education system. What would happen to these families when the buses no longer took their children to school or to therapy programs? What would happen when those children no longer had the opportunity to improve themselves through interacting with others? 

The employment and daytime activity rate for this population is depressing for both the 45% with average and above average IQs (with what was formerly called Asperger’s Syndrome) and for the 55% who are intellectually disabled. Some studies show no sustained, long-term daily activity for over 75% of these young adults. 

In that new 24/7/365 care environment, how would parents be able to hold jobs? How could they pay for basic needs or ASD care? As importantly, how could their children continue to grow and improve in isolation?

MIOGI was established to create employment opportunities and training of all kinds for these young adults.  We develop for-profit sheltered work environments, find employment opportunities in existing markets,  provide flexible employment opportunities for parents, and generate funds for caregiver respite programs. 

We see how even the smallest job can be a lifeline to these adults and their families. 

For some members of this community, being engaged in complex, productive work will provide them with a sense of pride, identity and personal achievement.  For others, simple, task-based work will be an opportunity to stay busy and active while improving critical skills.  For parents, the hours their children are engaged will give them a chance to seek employment out of the house and earn an income themselves. 

Here we evaluate success based on the number of work-hours we can generate for youth with ASD, the number of hours parents can work outside the home because their children are engaged, and the number of respite hours we can help fund. 

Forward - one job at a time.