This episode follows Timothy Blackwell through his journey as an artist with autism. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil. Next year his creations will be displayed in a solo art show! Learn how he recently became a paid freelance artist. Boundless has provided Tim with counseling, peer mentoring, community outings, and now MAX coaching services. A call for local artists helped him reconnect with The Awesome Company and earn income by selling his designs. Join Tim and his mom, Rebecca, Angela Bellin (MAX coaching specialist at Boundless) Kelli James (peer and transitions supervisor at Boundless) and Jacquie Mahan (CEO of The Awesome Company) and be encouraged by the power of connections and partnerships. Learn how more people can get involved in assisting adults with autism find self-reliance and economic inclusion.
This episode follows Timothy Blackwell through his journey as an artist with autism. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil. Next year his creations will be displayed in a solo art show! Learn how he recently became a paid freelance artist. Boundless has provided Tim with counseling, peer mentoring, community outings, and now MAX coaching services. A call for local artists helped him reconnect with The Awesome Company and earn income by selling his designs. Join Tim and his mom, Rebecca, Angela Bellin (MAX coaching specialist at Boundless) Kelli James (peer and transitions supervisor at Boundless) and Jacquie Mahan (CEO of The Awesome Company) and be encouraged by the power of connections and partnerships. Learn how more people can get involved in assisting adults with autism find self-reliance and economic inclusion.
Welcome, everyone to our April episode of Well-Being a podcast brought to you by Boundless. Boundless, is a nonprofit that provides residential support, autism services, primary health care, day programs, counseling, and a whole lot more to children and adults. Our mission is to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people. And let me say we're in season three, and we are breaking our own record here with the most guests we have ever had on one episode five today. However, we are beginning with really the star of this episode, Tim Blackwell. So Tim, you are an artist with autism, and you've been coming to Boundless for years now you are part of a couple of programs that we're going to talk about peers and the MAX program. Again, we'll get to those in just a little bit. But first, would you tell our listeners about your art?
Timohty Blackwell:Well, it's very varied, but it's mostly based off of inanimate objects. One of my favorites is a dishwasher character.
Scott Light:What inspires you, Tim to create art?
Timohty Blackwell:Well, I simply look at look for some certain things. And then I draw them.
Scott Light:And, Tim, when did you realize you had this talent, this passion?
Unknown:Well, ever since I could hold a pen. And I've been drawing ever since. I've beendrawing Power Rangers based monsters, and sukham Ogami, which were Japanese youth objects, which have turned 100 years old and came to life.
Scott Light:That's really, really cool. I want to bring your mom Rebecca into our conversation. Rebecca, when did you first start seeing Tim's artistic talents?
Rebecca Blackwell:Wow, wow. As he said, basically, he's been drawing since he could hold a pen. He's just, it's what he does all the time, every day is he draws.
Scott Light:How does art help with Tim's anxiety? How does it help with emotional regulation?
Rebecca Blackwell:Well, when he is in situations that are stressful, if he starts drawing, then he can tune out a lot of those stressful situations. And it helps him to stay calm.
Scott Light:All right, well, let's bring a few other people into our conversation here because these folks have also played big roles in Tim's life as an artist and also his life here at Boundless. Angela Bellin is a MAX program coaching specialist. And Kelli James is with the PEERS mentoring program both here at Boundless and Jacquie Mahan is here as well. She is CEO of The Awesome Company. Welcome to all of you, Jacquie, I want to continue on this art theme here because we just heard Rebecca talking about this. And so the way I understand it is, you have this art contest as a way to hopefully get back in touch with Tim so so tell us about how you heard about his artistic talents.
Jacquie Mahan:I met Tim many years ago, and he came in and he was volunteering, just a group volunteer, they were folding shirts, they were doing community service. And he had a bunch of drawings with him. And he had a pen and paper. And he didn't seem too interested in volunteering, he seemed more interested in making art. And I have a background in art. So I was very drawn to him. And I was very impressed by him. And I remember saying Tim this is really cool stuff. And I wish I could put this on shirts, I wasn't far enough in my business to be able to facilitate that I just became a fan of Tim and then out he went and down the door and out the door and he was gone. And I was like that's a really cool guy. And then I just moved on with my life. But I remember being really impressed by him. And as I continued my work with employing autism, or employing autistic adults, I have been trying to find different ways to engage autistic adults and encourage them to be a part of the workforce. And there are only so many jobs I can offer in office. But what I have been getting throughout the years is many graphic designers and autistic artists are available, are talented. And so I thought I'm going to start a wearable art collection for autistic adults. And I'm going to help them sell their wearable art because this will create a job for them. But Tim was the inspiration because I remember that conversation years ago and saying that guy is extremely talented. He has all the skills of a fine artist that has shows in art galleries, and he deserves a platform. I didn't know his last name. I didn't know anything other than his name was Tim. And so I guess if I I doing this collection was my letter to Tim to come back. And I was just praying and hoping that maybe he would show up I didn't think he would and I've been friends with Angela and worked with her for many years. And then I got an email. And it was from Tim. And I'm not kidding. I was in the car with me fiance and I screamed bloody murder. And I said, it's Tim, he's here and she's like, What are you talking about? And I showed the art and I was like, I found him. I finally found him. And it taken. It was a long journey. But I have been a fan of Tim and I have vibe, Tim. He is an incredible person.
Scott Light:Tim, I also know they loved your work so much. They purchased four of your designs, and then they offered you a paid freelance design position. Tell us about that.
Timohty Blackwell:Well it's just simple I, I make art and and then I sell it. And then I and then simply, I get paid for it.
Scott Light:Rebecca, I want you to chime in here too. Because Tim, Tim says it's real simple. He makes art and then he gets paid for it. But you know what? There are lots of, you know, the term starving artist is a real thing out there. There are lots of artists out there who are super talented, immensely talented, and they're not getting paid for their work
Rebecca Blackwell:now, well, that has a lot to do with Jackie. And it's been a real blessing getting to know her.
Jacquie Mahan:He sends me designs and we'll as this probably every three to six months, we'll switch out the designs for him and that's what I can offer him. And I also wanted him to have an art show. And I met with Adam Brouilette from Blockfort gallery. I brought his artwork. And I said this, this, and he's a friend of mine, and I used to have an art gallery. Columbus is a small town. But Tim's artwork speaks for itself. And Adam looked at his artwork and he goes, this guy deserves a solo show. And I go I know he does. He's like, alright, well, next April, it's his, And we'll work together and we'll do this. And I was like, yes. So happy for him. He deserves all of this.
Timohty Blackwell:Well, someone at the art art museum thought my art was good. So they decided to post some of my art on the museum next year, in April.
Rebecca Blackwell:There's a story behind that.
Scott Light:Okay, tell us the story.
Rebecca Blackwell:Started out in my, my husband, his dad also writes poetry and is self published. And he was involved in a collaboration with visual artists that they did a showing at Blockfort Gallery in January in February. And we took Tim down there and his brother. And one of the things his dad said was Tim, look around one of these days, this might be you. And that was before all of this other stuff even started. So in Jacquie knows the owner of Blockfort Gallery, and she advocated for Tim. And so next year, this will be a show. It's still sinking in. Yep. So yeah, it's, it makes us happy that he's found something that he can do that it's what he does, and somebody else is recognizing it and saying, Okay, this is something that that he can make a living from, or at least supplement a living from.
Scott Light:Angela, Kelli, when you hear and you see someone like Tim, take the instruction, take the skills that he has learned here, right here on the Boundless campus and then is applying them in daily life off campus. And now with a thriving business, you have to have this tremendous sense of satisfaction Kelli?
Kelli James:Definitely. Tim has been engaged in our peer mentoring program for about a year. And he has worked on his social skills throughout his time and emotional regulation in our day treatment program. I definitely think that it's given Tim the skills to be able to engage in interviews and to feel comfortable around other people. And it's just been really great to see his growth from the beginning of the program to now.
Angela Bellin:I agree everything with what Kelli just said, watching Tim grow is definitely satisfying. I think in addition to just feeling satisfied about the situation. It's this is his win. So just watching it is wonderful and beautiful. But for me in addition to feeling satisfied, I feel very optimistic that our community is interested and is poised to accept more non traditional type of job coaching and employment opportunities for people on the spectrum and are more now looking to meet people where they are as opposed to trying to find people to fit into an older, more traditional model. And I think that's what was amazing about Jacquie's art art call is that it really opened up not just this opportunity for Tim, but there are four other MAX clients that are commissioned artists through the autism company, and three interns. So there really are a lot of opportunities in the community. And that's where, when I look at this in the big picture for Tim, I look at it more also, for the entire autism community, and for our community as a workforce development initiative. How do we really start to talk about what economic inclusion looks like, for people post secondary, for people in their 20s? We do a great job with academic inclusion, how do we start to address economic inclusion, and I think companies like the autism company, and opportunities like this, and people like Tim, are great examples of that.
Jacquie Mahan:It's time to modernize the definition of what an autistic adult looks like. The stereotypes of the 80s 90s, even the 2000s, even the 2010, it's not that anymore. In the past, it was they would like to be called a person with autism, because it's the person before the diagnosis. And now that's out. And I agree with that. Because there's nothing wrong with the diagnosis to be an autistic adult is merely saying what you are, and there should be proud of it. So I want more people like Tim, who, in my opinion, he is a very talented artist. And he is a very gifted man. And for a not a little kid to look up to somebody like Tim, who has the struggles, as Tim has had, has had social issues has had, you know, stimulation issues, but still, they persevered. And look what that guy can do. If he can do it, I can do it at Oh, he's just like me, there is something masterful about that connection. And then to go back to Angela is I mean, I'm a fan girl of Tim but I'm also a huge fan girl of Angela because she makes things happen. And I see the best results come out of Angela's clients. She brings people to the real world and she holds their hand she's kicking nobody into the deep end, but she's getting their feet wet and helping them get there. And there are results happening. And I can't emphasize enough the program that she brought from Boundless to The Awesome Company and how transformative it is for me. I'm gonna cry.
Kelli James:Awww
Jacquie Mahan:I hate it's just it's super important.
Angela Bellin:It is important. I think it's lovely and I think what you're
Jacquie Mahan:I hate crying. I hate feelings. saying is important...it's beautiful to watch I just said this yesterday. We have three individuals that come No it really is remarkable. That's what I'm talking about is the Tim the Tim from Boundless that work for an hour. That's cool with me. I'm of the world. That's he's a success story. But possibilities happy to help them but and I care deeply about them. But do you know who I care about more, I care more about the guys that work for us. But like they've been picked on, they've been ostracized, they've been misunderstood. And these gentlemen, and young ladies, and people get to come up and mentor these people and say, I'll show you how to make buttons. I'll show you how to write a thank you note. Do you understand like the self esteem building? So it's just like, it's so important. I'm sorry, I'm crying. are opening. What if Tim decided to have once a month where you sit and you just draw with Tim. Come on. That is the what modernizing what autism actually looks like, and what being an autistic adult is actually like. And I just, thank you so much for having me here. But I just think Angela is so important. I'm actually crying about you, you're just so best.
Kelli James:Awww,
Jacquie Mahan:You're wonderful too I just met you. really, it just is very touching to see results. And it's it's nice to see people make a nice college, you know, college try. But when you get results and you see the connections, you see the lights turning on it just like you know, makes you cry to podcasts with a bunch of strangers you don't know.
Scott Light:So how do we get more awesome companies out there? Really? I mean, when we talk about results, how do we go out and recruit recruit more awesome companies to start and to prosper?
Angela Bellin:Jacquie made a really good point. That's a great question. Scott. And Jacquie made a really good point when she talked about a concept called intentional retention. And when we have companies that come in and or work experiences that are kind of one offs or short term concepts, where people aren't nice necessarily being paid. While there is a place for that, I think that real concept of how are we intentional about how we retain employees? I think that is going to be a real question we're going to have to answer for ourselves and Jacquie gets emotional and it, it chokes me up to hear half of her, at least sales force, our MAX graduates who have been working there for five, six years now. And I share in her sentiment watching them grow has been remarkable and seeing someone who I met seven years ago. Now as a mentor for someone like Tim, now moving into the next phase of how are we going to serve this other generation? How are we going to be champions of of economic inclusion? It's absolutely overwhelming. So I completely I, I've received, what you're saying and I share in your sentiment, I think that's going to be a big question we have to ask ourselves is how are we going to be intentional in retaining employees, who are neuro diverse in the workforce in 2023, and beyond?
Jacquie Mahan:I havea great tip on that. For me, when someone asked me that, I would say, find one person who has autism or is neurodivergent in any way, don't overwhelm yourself, one person, find a company or organization like Boundless, and have them help you, but don't give up and then offer the minimum wage. And then keep building, dangle the carrot, you get a raise, you keep going, just invest time in that one person. And I promise if you had just give them some time, and a little bit of grace, you will have an incredible employee. But if you want a nine to five or grinding, and not doing it your way, then don't even contact like you ain't our audience. But somebody a restaurant, a flower shop, janitorial, just one person call me I'll help you. It's it is it is as hard as you think it is. It's not easy. It's, it's hard. But things that are hard. I mean, you start crying because it really makes your heart swell up. And so I agree with Angela as well. You have to have a conversation about what's the value of my company, do I want to make the most money and pay people the least amount, then that's not my audience. For me, when I get a customer who comes in and says I want a $3 shirt, and I'm like, Well, I'm not your dude, I'm not fighting for the bottom, I'll give you a $10 shirt. And I'll show you all the things we're doing the best customer service, a handwritten thank you note and you're, you're supporting a company that really cares, I want those customers. And so for me, just speak up, put your hand up in the air and go, I don't know what I'm doing. But I want to help, you will have a flock of crazy people coming to you saying I will show you everything, you just have to hold on to them and do not let go of their hand. And if they let go keep the door open so they can come back later. Just that one person transformative. And the whole company, all the employees will have a complete. It'll be neuro diverse. It'll be innovative, it will inspire people, it will warm people's hearts, I just don't see any down in trying something different.
Kelli James:We definitely saw a gap in the resources for autistic young adults. And so we do have the Boundless Experiences for Successful Transitions, the BEST program, which was a grant from SAMSA, that we target ages 14 to 40. In different programs that we want to see families still have the services that they need to be successful and to provide them with opportunities to get into the community to have continued intensive case management, to have peer mentoring support to have social groups that they can participate in and gain those skills to then move on to programs like MAX and feel integrated into the community into the workforce. And that is our whole goal is to have that trajectory of giving them the skills that they need as prerequisite skills and continuing the support of resources that they no longer have once they graduate as far as social inclusion or social skills training or case management and continuing those services so that they can and be successful in programs like MAX,
Scott Light:Where can people find out more information about the peers program?
Kelli James:The peers program, they can contact me at KJames@Iamboundless.org. And it's a 16-week program one night a week, and it is a small group of eight to 10, autistic young adults. And they learn a variety of social skills, ranging from entering and exiting conversations, using humor appropriately, dating skills, and then they graduate from the program. And they can continue on with one-on-one mentoring. But a lot of our participants, Tim was actually one of them and graduated from the program are now entering into programs like MAX and are equipped with the prerequisite skills that they need to then have Angela, help them grow even more in those interpersonal skills.
Scott Light:Okay, Angela, the volleyball comes to you now set and spike here. Tell us about the max program.
Angela Bellin:So Max is like Kelli said that so eloquently, and I think what she said leads exactly into what MAX coaching is. MAX works with young adults who are achieving self sufficiency, and really looking at economic inclusion as a part of that. But also the interpersonal skills necessary to get to that point, the problem solving, the emotional regulation, the character flexibility. And it's kind of like when you think about in when you're in the academic world, you go from grade to grade, and you kind of get to this next level. MAX is that kind of next level that helps people poise themselves into self sufficiency, we're really that last step to get there, whether we're working with employment, or we're working with living independently. The goal is to get individuals in their mid 20s, who have faced some barriers to self sufficiency into that realm. And so it's a very broad kind of spectrum. But that is the goal. It's also a longer term program. I work with young adults here at Boundless for three years. So we want to get people from 22 to 25, or from 25 to 27, or from 27 to 30, or from 40 to 45. I mean, that's even on the higher end range of it. But the goal is very intentional about how we take people through these phases of life, in employment, in independent living, in emotional regulation and self awareness and interpersonal skill acquisition. So there's a lot to be learned. But you know, we have about three years to do it.
Scott Light:How can people get in touch with you if they'd like more information?
Angela Bellin:Well, I hope people are interested and want to reach out whether it's something that might appeal to you or your family, or someone you might know you can just reach out to me directly my email at abellin@iamboundless.org. And you can call Boundless will get you in touch with me if you say, hey, I'm interested in the MAX program. I heard you guys on this podcast, how do we have a conversation? I encourage you just to reach out directly to me. Angela Bellin.
Scott Light:Okay, terrific. And Jacquie, tell us a little bit more. You've talked about The Awesome Company. Great name, by the way, that's just fantastic. What's the next step for you in your business? It sounds like you're, you could go into growth mode here. And just continue to create great art and and inspire more people.
Jacquie Mahan:I like all of that. Everything you said is what I would love to have. The Awesome Company is a custom apparel business that actively empowers and employs autistic adults. And we do custom T shirts, custom apparel for businesses, schools, sports, events, nonprofits, spirit wear, anything that you need in the custom apparel world, we want you to come to us. So that's our base like that's our baseline. And we employ 10 People with autism in our office, and then we have the interns from Boundless coming in. And then what I've done because I want to keep opening up to have more individuals with autism be involved and make money and feel great about themselves is that I've opened up an open call for autistic artists to submit their artwork. The artwork that's selected an artist gets paid $25 for their design, and then their artwork is put on T shirt, sweatshirts and tote bags. With every sale of any of those items, the artist gets $3 to $5 back. So that teaches the employee and artists about royalties, and how about value, about worth, and about making that money, which is something that is very important when you stop being a kid with autism and you're an adult with autism, you have to change the script. So really, if you have a business, a school spirit wear contact me we would love to help you out, we have all different ways to do it, we can do custom bulk, we set up online links with donations back we are your we want to be your one stop shop for custom apparel, and we're in Grove City, if you're in the hood, stop by and say hi to us. And you can reach us at theawesomecompany.com email at info@theawesomecompany.com You want to talk to me you can I my mom spelled my name weird. So it's J AC quie at the awesome company.com. And we would just love to talk to anybody
Scott Light:What has boundless meant to your family?
Rebecca Blackwell:They've they've covered a lot of services for Tim, over a lot of years. He started with psychiatry services here. And then it went to just it was only last year about last April, this time that we started with the peer mentoring program. And he's been involved in the WOW program that's here. And then now with the MAX coach. So it just keeps gradually getting more and more involved in it's been, it's been a real blessing.
Scott Light:Tim, what is Boundless mean to you?
Timohty Blackwell:Well, Boundless means going out with other people, and experiencing the wonders and joys of society, parks, libraries, museums, a conservatory with butterflies.
Kelli James:I would like to tell him that I'm extremely proud of him. I started working with Tim the little over a year ago in our day treatment program and working on his emotional regulation. And that's when I first saw his art. And we discussed his art and why he drew the different things that he drew. And it was just so inspiring to see what his passion was. And then his growth in the peers program. And peer mentoring has just been incredible to see his social skills, blossom, and I am so proud of him for getting, you know, doing this, art call and getting his art out there and working hard and being connected with Angela, and The Awesome Company and really putting himself out there to show everybody the talented artists that he is.
Angela Bellin:Well said, Kelli, I agree with everything you just said, I would like to thank Tim for being so open. And for being himself, it took a lot of courage to just come in there and say, here's what I'm all about. And it just so happened the timing was so serendipitous that there was this art call and I was like this is what you're about. Okay, well, let me show you something else that's going on. So I'm so grateful to Tim for being so open. And for just being himself, he did nothing but put himself into this. And I think that we're seeing the real results of that authenticity. And I'm really, really grateful for that.
Jacquie Mahan:I would say to Tim, I'm just happy to be your friend. And I'm so excited to work with you. And I got your back and we're gonna show your art off. And I'm just excited to work with him and help him because he's the real deal. And so I am just, I'm just thrilled to be his friend.
Rebecca Blackwell:We are very grateful for Jackie and for Angela and the ones that have gotten stuff together and gotten this ball rolling. And it's been a real ride for the last couple of months just watching how this is coming together.
Scott Light:Tim, what's next? You've got this. You've got your art show coming next year. What's the next phase of your art that you'd like to bring to the public?
Timohty Blackwell:I've been thinking about making a book about mythical creatures.
Scott Light:You've got a son talking about being an author. Now here, Rebecca.
Rebecca Blackwell:Yeah. Well, that was kind of planted. Well, dad's one. So that's part of it. But yeah, he started doing this just a couple about a week or so ago, he started drawing these specific mythical creatures. And I said, well keep them all in one place. And he writes along with what the creature is about. And I'm like, that could be a book.
Scott Light:And when you see, just hope and encouragement and success and you see a smile on your son's face.
Rebecca Blackwell:Just want them to be happy and do what they want to do.
Scott Light:Do what they love.
Rebecca Blackwell:Do what they love.
Scott Light:And Tim's doing that, isn't he?
Rebecca Blackwell:He is.
Scott Light:Tim are you doing what you love?
Timohty Blackwell:Yes.
Scott Light:Good. Good. Thank you for being here.
Rebecca Blackwell:Thanks for having us.
Timohty Blackwell:Yes,
Scott Light:Tim, thanks for joining the podcast.
Timohty Blackwell:You're welcome.
Scott Light:Thank you all for being here today. It's been a great episode. Thanks to our listeners as well don't forget you can be part of episodes to come you can always email your questions or comments at podcast at I am boundless dot ORG and again don't forget to give us a review that yet another way we want to hear from you. This is the Well-Being podcast brought to you by Boundless