CBS News – Turning Pointe helping people with autism gain life and work skills
One of this year’s recipients is a not-for-profit school in Naperville that is educating individuals with autism.
First grader Jason enjoys his lessons thanks to his many teachers at Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.
The day school works with students from Chicago and the suburbs, from ages 5 to 21.
Serving 70 kids on a daily basis, the school also supports hundreds of families – helping students to become more independent.
“We get to see our students have so many firsts. So we have students who come to us in middle school, and they’re telling mom for the first time, ‘I love you,'” Turning Pointe executive director Carrie Provenzale said.
The idea for Turning Pointe – now celebrating 15 years – came from a Naperville family. Kim and Randy Wolf wanted a better support network for their son.
“Teaching kids to communicate is probably one of the best things I think we can do,” Turning Pointe faculty director Angela Williams said.
Several years ago, Walgreens added a mock store to the Turning Pointe campus to train future employees. Dozens have been hired so far.
“An adult with autism can learn all the ins and outs of working at a Walgreens, without the distractions of being in a real store,” Provenzale said.
“Students are able to succeed in a setting like this, because they know that everyone around understands them and cares about them,” Williams said. “They just break down those barriers every day, and it’s really quite rewarding,”
Turning Pointe works with school districts throughout Chicago and the suburbs. They’re able to operate thanks to generous donations.
Naperville, IL 60540
contactus@turningpointaft.org
630.570.7948
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Foglia Family Adult Services is a Certified Autism Center by the IBCCES and the Adult Day Pilot is accredited by CARF.
Our organization does not discriminate in employment or the provision of educational services on the basis on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Angela Francisco
Crisis Interventionist
Angela Williams
Faculty Director-AD/DS
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Ashlee Hare-Hunter
Lead Intense Behavior Interventionist
Ashley Hurst-Kim
Speech/Language Pathologist
Alissa Krusoe
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Barbara Brauer
Development & Operations Director
Bernadette Bassett
School Administrator/Compliance Director-AD/DS
Bianca Edmeier-Frost
Program Director
M.S., BCBA
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Carolyn Bonessa
Foundation Coordinator
Carrie Provenzale
Executive Director
Celia Kaiser
BCBA/BA
Christina Pallack
RBT
Clare Jahnke
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Claudia Leiva
Registered Behavior Technician
Corrine Murray
Instructional Coach
Debra Kolak
Occupational Therapist
Drew Dresden
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Edel Vaca Jr.
Special Education Teacher
Elissa Holzwarth
Special Education Teacher
Guadalupe Sanchez
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Hilary Antolak
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Isaac Rodriguez
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Jessica Bain
Registered Behavior Technician
Jack Wolf
Enterprise Employee
John Higgins
School Bus Driver
Kaitlyn Wheaton
Lead Intense Behavior Interventionist
Kathleen Krieger
Nurse
Kehinde "Kenny" Ogunfowokan
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Kristen Skala
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Lacey Landmeier
Speech/Language Pathologist
Lexi Earll
Special Education Teacher
Lindsey Luther
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Mackenzie Muersch
Occupational Therapist
Mackenzie Cryder
Intense Behavior Interventionist/RBT
Marea Rosedale
Speech/Language Pathologist
Marina Romanelli
Teaching Assistant
Mary Brandner
Behavior Analyst
Mary Butler
Family Specialist
CCLS, CFLE
Maura McNamara
Special Education Teacher
Megan Kugach
Registered Behavior Technician
Melanie Saunders
BCBA
Melissa Cleary
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Megan Dobrolinsky
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Melissa Welsch
Lead Intense Behavior Interventionist & RBT
Michael Petrusky
Enterprise Employee
Nancy Santoro
Special Education Teacher
Nicole Cyrier
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Nicole Lombardo
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Paul Gardner
Special Education Teacher
Raymond Rivera
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Raymond Ziecina
Intense Behavior Interventionist
RaeAnne Rhule
Special Education Teacher-AD
IBCCES - Autism Certificate (AC)
Rebekah Osterman
Intense Behavior Interventionist
Robin Karling-Reece
Respite Intense Behavior Interventionist-AD
IBCCES - Autism Certificate (AC)
Samantha Blackwell
Clinical Coach
Samantha Camacho
Program Coordinator
Behavior Analyst
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Sarah Bormann-Mayo
Lead/Scholastic IBI
Sarah Cammack
School Secretary
Seth Mathewson
Admin Specialist
Sonia Galicia
CNA
Stefan Krueger
Systems Specialist
Sydney Coyle
BCBA
Tara Willing
Speech/Language Pathologist-DS/AD
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Taylor Parus
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/COTA-Part Time
Tiara Mitchell
CNA
Naperville, IL 60540
contactus@turningpointeaf.org
630.570.7948
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Foglia Family Adult Services is a Certified Autism Center by the IBCCES and the Adult Day Pilot is accredited by CARF.
Our organization does not discriminate in employment or the provision of educational services on the basis on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
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