We value providing new experiences in novel settings for your young adults, which is why off-campus time is integral to the program. Students dine out at restaurants, shop for school expenses and our special events, and even manage some of our school’s operational needs, such as taking our school vehicle for an oil change. We believe that interfacing with the public, under the care of and with support from our trained staff, is critical in preparing students for navigating adult life.

In its first three years, New Connections has partnered with over 28 intown businesses and organizations to match students with internships and community service experiences. Internship partners have included restaurants, coffee and bake shops, boutiques, and specialty retail. (Scroll to see an updated list of internship sites.) We educate these businesses on neurodiversity in the workplace and collect feedback on how our partnership impacts their commitment to inclusivity. Additionally, our students have volunteered at a variety of organizations, including Wylde Center, Trees Atlanta, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, Sip of Paradise, Humane Society, Soccer in the Streets, and other nonprofits whose values align with ours. With every volunteer project, our students show that they are more than recipients of services; they are eager and capable of making valuable contributions to their community.

On campus, students practice writing resumes, filling out job applications, sending emails, and interviewing for jobs. We invite neurodiverse college students to visit and speak, and we take our students on college tours in the Metro Atlanta area. Some students are dually -enrolled in college and take some of their online courses with the support of our school staff.

Students also practice life skills at school such as self-care and personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning, doing their own laundry, folding and hanging clothes, making the bed, and maintaining a home.

Their young adult curriculum rotates each year and includes: Mental Health, Financial Management, Sex Education, Dating, & Relationships, Internet Literacy & Safety, Survey of Higher Education, Art as Creative Exploration, Improv, Entrepreneurship, and The Hero’s Journey.