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Hope lands differently when you can feel it in the room. We sit down with Deb Gears, Amy Reed, and Mary Erickson to explore a new community hub designed for teens and young adults with developmental differences—complete with a demo apartment, kitchen, laundry, and a sensory-wise media space. It’s a place built for real-world practice: getting ready on time, handling hygiene, making meals, and learning how to navigate conversations and first jobs without guesswork.

We unpack three core programs that work together. STRW breaks daily living skills into clear, repeatable steps that reduce stress at home and boost confidence. PEERS turns social scripts into second nature, guiding teens through starting conversations, joining groups, and texting with peers in ways that actually lead to friendships. Launch brings career readiness to life with resumes, mock interviews, job coaching, and partnerships with local employers who want to support neurodiverse talent. Caregivers get training alongside their teens, so progress sticks at home, at school, and in the workplace.

What stands out is the human-scale progress: first texts that become movie nights, morning routines that finally click, a volunteer role celebrated like a championship. Employers discover that the right mentorship and clear expectations can transform a good intention into a sustainable hire. And families find a supportive community where their daily realities are understood and their hopes have room to grow.

If you care about independence, inclusion, and meaningful work, this conversation will move you. Take a tour, consider mentoring, or start a hiring conversation with your team. Subscribe for more local stories, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find these resources.

Go to nkyperspectives.org or call 859-980-3930 to learn more.