named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Work Experience Transition Program
Provides job training and employment placement for young adults with autism by identifying their skills and matching them with employer partners committed to neurodiverse workforces.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 3 activities
- Community-based transition work experience programOperates a year-round Transition Work Experience Program with two 90-minute sessions per week across 12 community-based work settings on Long Island, providing vocational, social, and independent living skills training to adults with autism aged 18+ who have completed high school.
- Employer partnership and autism-inclusive workplace supportCollaborates with businesses to develop and implement autism-inclusive employment programs, facilitating hiring by connecting employers with qualified candidates and providing clinical and onboarding support, including orientation, onsite training, and ongoing coaching. Since July 2022, engaged over 57 employer partners.
- Vocational training and job placement for adults with autismProvides comprehensive job training, career development, and placement services for adults with autism, including office skills, café and supermarket operations, cleaning, laundry, secure shredding, and other vocational tracks. The program supports individuals in securing meaningful employment and offers post-placement support such as ongoing training and employer coaching.
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Facility-Based Service Delivery 1 activity
- Facility-based vocational and life skills trainingOperates a 14,000 square foot facility in West Babylon, NY that hosts vocational training, including simulated workplace environments such as a hotel training room and café, and delivers services with a staff-to-participant ratio of 1:3.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Recreational, health, and wellness programs for adults with autismOffers fitness, recreation, social, and wellness programming including yoga, art, music, gardening, nutrition, and cooking classes to support personal development and healthy living for adults with autism.
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Adaptive Sports Programs 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement programEngages volunteers aged 16 and over in weekly or project-based roles to support programs, events, and outreach efforts for adults with autism.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.34M
Contributions & grants$3.15M73%
Program service revenue$1.07M25%
Investment income$44K1%
Other revenue$77K
expenses
Total expenses$1.83M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.06M
Grants paid out$53K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.54M
Cash$1.59M
Investments$2.39M
Liabilities$242K
Net assets$6.30M
Liquid reserves26.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +61.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINE PONZIO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $189K |
board members · 7
- PATRICK FAZIO — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICK WINTERS — PRESIDENT
- PETER ARMSTRONG EGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- SEAN WINTERS — TREASURER
- STEPHEN SOUCY — BOARD MEMBER
- WILL FLOWER — SECRETARY
- WILLIAM SHINE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 58
Who they work with
- American Organic Energy Partner — Donated support to the Winters Center for Autism, inspired by Winters Bros.' work for adults with autism.
- BLD Partner — Provided expertise in bringing the vision of the Winters Center for Autism to life, contributing to the creation of a state-of-the-art campus.
- Cameron Engineering Partner — Participated in the design of the Winters Center for Autism, supporting an initiative to improve the quality of life for adults with autism.
- Celebrate St. James Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- Cooper Power & Lighting Partner — Contributed to the Winters Center for Autism in recognition of the Winters family’s dedication to adults with autism.
- EQ Salon + Barber Partner — Hosts the Transition Work Experience Program at its St. James, NY location.
- EQ Salon and Barber Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- EQ Salon and Barber Partner — Salon and barber business participating in supported employment program for individuals with autism.
- Family Autism Network Partner — Supports the Winters Center for Autism and its mission to enrich the lives of young adults with autism and their families.
- Greater Data Partner — Partner organization in the Work Experience Program, as listed on the website with logo and link.
- Integrated Art Company Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Partner — Joined efforts to support the Winters Center for Autism and its mission to enhance the lives of individuals with autism in the community.
- Jake's 58 Partner — Business partner offering employment to adults with autism through the Winters Center program.
- Jake's 58 Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- Jake's 58 Partner — Hosts the Transition Work Experience Program at its Islandia, NY location.
- Jake's 58 Partner — Partnered with Winters Center for Autism to train workers with autism for hospitality jobs.
- Junkluggers Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- LISH Partner — Healthcare organization employing adults with autism through partnership with Winters Center for Autism.
- LISH Care Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- Long Island Select Healthcare Partner — Partnered with Winters Center for Autism to provide diverse job training opportunities in a healthcare setting.
- Long Island Select Healthcare (LISH) Partner — Hosts the Transition Work Experience Program at its Central Islip and Hauppauge, NY locations.
- Mike Ferrara and Team YOLO Partner — Partnered with the Winters Center for Autism to assist adults with autism in increasing their quality of life and gaining purpose through work in the Long Island community.
- Mike's Custom Kuts Partner — Hosts the Transition Work Experience Program at its West Babylon, NY location.
- Music 4 Special Learners Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
- Music Academy for Special Learners Partner — Hosts the Transition Work Experience Program at its Hauppauge, NY location.
- Nelly’s Empanadas Partner — Partnered with Winters Center for Autism to provide job training for young adults with autism at the restaurant.
- New York Community Bank Partner — Hosts the Transition Work Experience Program at its West Babylon, NY location.
- RJR Charitable Foundation Funder — Generously donated to the Winters Center for Autism.
- Sav-Mor Construction Partner — Supported the Winters Center for Autism through contributions of time and care to help bring the project to life.
- Sophia's Bistro Partner — Employer partner that hires job candidates referred by Winters Center for Autism.
+ 28 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Employment-First Model for Neurodiverse Adultsmethodology: employment_firstBy providing job training, placement, and employer support, the organization improves quality of life and community inclusion for adults with autism because meaningful employment fosters personal fulfillment, purpose, and social integration.
- Integrated Vocational and Wellness Developmentmethodology: integrated_vocational_wellnessBy combining hands-on vocational training with social, behavioral, and wellness supports within a purpose-built environment, the organization enables holistic skill development because employment success depends on more than technical skills—it requires cognitive, sensory, and emotional readiness.
- Strengths-Based Inclusive Hiring Partnershipmethodology: strengths_based_employmentBy partnering with businesses to reframe autism-related traits—such as attention to detail and reliability—as workplace assets, the organization increases sustainable employment because this shifts employer perceptions and reduces systemic hiring barriers.