Winters Center for Autism
  • About Us
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Meet Our Team
    • 2023 Annual Report
    • Our Partners
    • Our Supporters
    • Resources >
      • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Programs & Services
    • Application of Interest
    • The Campus
    • Transition Program
    • Job Training Options
    • S.E.E.D
    • Summer Career Experience 2025
  • Donate Today
    • Autism Acceptance Month 2025
    • A Vision Realized – A Legacy of Joe Winters
    • Online Store
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Tribute Gifts
  • Get Involved
    • Become an Employer Partner
    • Apply Now
    • Become a Volunteer
  • Events
    • 2025 Casino Night
    • The Joe Winters Classic 2025 Photo Album
    • A Toast To Embracing Autism Event Photos
  • News
  • Blog
  • Blog

Blog

Meet Nicole

10/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
“One of the best feelings in a long time occurred after dropping Nicole off at Winters Bros. for her shift. Approximately two hours later Nicole sent me a text; ‘Hey Dad I’m at work hope you’re having a nice day’.” Elated, Peter went on to say, “There’s nothing better than that!”
- Peter, Nicole’s dad, July 2021 (three months after Nicole’s started the program).
​

In April of 2021, Nicole’s dad reached out to the Winters Center for Autism in search of an environment that would give his daughter the opportunity to receive a work training experience in an inclusive, productive environment outside of their home. Although Nicole had been active in many programs when she was in high school, things were far less accessible to her after graduation. After graduating high school with few options, even more narrowed by the pandemic, Nicole’s parents felt the WCFA seemed like a match for Nicole. After meeting with Nicole, and her dad, the team at the center felt it was evident that Nicole’s  training would best be suited at Winters Bros. Waste Systems of Long Island.

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9am the atmosphere in Winters Bros. gets a little brighter upon Nicole’s arrival. Her beautiful smile and sweet demeanor radiate the lobby the second she crosses the threshold. What usually follows next is an exchange anyone would have with their coworkers when they arrive for a new day at work. For Nicole it begins with greeting Arlene at the front desk, and a brief conversation about their respective mornings. From there Nicole goes to her desk, checks her schedule, and begins the day. 

Nicole has a variety of responsibilities at Winters Bros., and many coworkers that she enjoys engaging with throughout the morning. When she is working at her desk on a task for Marco in HR she is working alongside Raymond. When Nicole waters plants in finance it is Stephanie that welcomes her every Thursday as Nicole waters plants of all varieties, shapes, and sizes. Having worked on this task since May, she has developed quite a green thumb! This multifaceted young woman also helps ensure the safety for those that visit the Winters Bros Gym when she cleans and sanitizes the equipment in the gym, while also stocking and taking inventory on the cleaning materials and water bottles housed at the facility.

​In a short amount of time Nicole has made her mark on the company. Sara from Human Resources communicated the impact Nicole has made at Winter Bros., “Nicole has been a huge help to Human Resources. Without her keeping our files up to date, we wouldn’t be able to carry out our HR processes. Nicole is a great part of our department!”  Nicole feels equally happy with her experience at Winters Brothers. Working at Winters Bros. makes her feel, “Proud because I feel like I’m doing something good for the community.”  When asked what was her favorite part about being at Winters Bros. her response is typical of anyone her age, “Hanging out with my friends!”

Nicole’s family has conveyed their happiness with the program and the positive impact of Nicole’s training experience on their family. “We are extremely grateful for the support and opportunity provided to Nicole by Winters Bros. She is able to join in family conversations on what we did that day and always has positive experiences to relate.”

The cumulative sum to all these parts; the coworkers, the tasks, and the experience of training at an organization that embraces neurodiversity, is the very reason Nicole was inclined to send her dad the text she crafted. Like anyone else her age she was just a young adult, checking in with a parent, wishing them well, from WORK!

If you are a caring community business that understands the significance of the text message Nicole sent to her dad, we ask you to join our mission to “Hire for a Higher Purpose”. In doing so we will grow closer to increasing the employment rate for adults with Autism. We thank Winters Bros. Waste Systems for their support and offer any business on Long Island the opportunity to work with us by contacting the center at 631-635-1169.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Winters Center for Autism Team

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

The Winters Center for Autism is committed to enhancing the quality of life for adults with autism through job creation, training and placement while helping businesses to develop and implement programs to employ people with autism. ​


​Stay Connected!


​Subscribe now to get news and announcements delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe Now

​​© Winters Center for Autism. All rights reserved.


​CONTACT US

92  Mahan Street
West Babylon, NY 11704

General Inquiries
Picture
[email protected]
Picture
(631) 635-1169
  • About Us
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Meet Our Team
    • 2023 Annual Report
    • Our Partners
    • Our Supporters
    • Resources >
      • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Programs & Services
    • Application of Interest
    • The Campus
    • Transition Program
    • Job Training Options
    • S.E.E.D
    • Summer Career Experience 2025
  • Donate Today
    • Autism Acceptance Month 2025
    • A Vision Realized – A Legacy of Joe Winters
    • Online Store
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Tribute Gifts
  • Get Involved
    • Become an Employer Partner
    • Apply Now
    • Become a Volunteer
  • Events
    • 2025 Casino Night
    • The Joe Winters Classic 2025 Photo Album
    • A Toast To Embracing Autism Event Photos
  • News
  • Blog
  • Blog