On January 26th, Extraordinary Ventures partnered with Autism Speaks to hold a research summit entitled, “Adults with Autism: Sharing Ideas, Filling the Gaps.” The event was designed to bring together researchers, donors, service providers, and parents to discuss the on going research of ASD. The conference had a grounded feel as parents and service providers were able to provide real experience to the discusion. Click here to read more from the Autism Speaks Blog.

The event was a great opportunity for Extraordinary Ventures to showcase our model of employing adults with developmental disabilities. During the lunch break we gave tours of our businesses, and the place was buzzing. Our EVents Center Crew took care of housekeeping in the main conference area, our EV Laundry Crew was sorting and folding clothes in the laundry room, and our EV Gifts Crew was melting and wrapping candles for Valentine’s Day.

All in all, the day was success. The conference went off without a hitch, and Extraordinary Ventures was able to show a successful model in vocational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

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This past Thursday Gravesite Guardians officially opened its doors to Chapel Hill and surrounding communities showcasing its unique service by leading a community service project at the local Sparrows Cemetery. The Gravesite Guardian crew, EV staff and board members, and Sparrow family and friends came together on the beautiful fall afternoon with a common goal: to Spruce up Sparrow Cemetery.

Half of the GG crew worked on 2 headstones while the other pair went to work on the landscaping project of mulching the shady area towards the front of the cemetery. Employing our crew’s unique set of skills we finished both stones within 2 hours and the mulching wrapped up an hour later. It was clear by the end that a little bit of mulch and elbow grease goes a long way.

Start your day with a hearty, delicious serving of apple cinnamon oatmeal. Perfect for back-to-school, give this “apple” to your new teacher or enjoy it as a healthy breakfast for the whole family. Just add hot water and enjoy wholesome, cinnamon-spiced oatmeal which serves 6 to 8. Order now, you’ll definitely come back for more!

Please share your photos of other herb gardens, cookies and soups from EV Gifts on our facebook page.

Please continue to spread the word about EV Gifts and all of our other ventures, it will certainly help us continue our mission to provide more  jobs for adults with developmental disabilities.

Our crew has already been working hard to prepare for the fundraiser.

Please visit our table right outside the front entrance to learn about our many ventures and to purchase a gift jar or herb garden.  We especially recommend our Patriotic Cookie Jar, which is perfect for this weekend’s festivities.  See you there!

This trip proved to be as fun as ever.  The weather was perfect and our crew was fearless in the water!  Here is a photo collage of the event.  For all the photos, “like” EV on Facebook!