Jocelyn O. Howard

In the past, opportunities for higher education and exciting career paths within a supportive and safe environment were few and far between for individuals with ASD.

When individuals with ASD become more involved in community, civic and social service, they are taking a proactive measure (real-world application) in their education and employment preparedness.

CIP Long Beach was able to support the VA Hospital Patient Garden & Barber City Women’s Club of Westminster, CA with planting geraniums on the property for Autism Awareness Month. The Barber City Women’s Club was established in 1917, and this year is their 90th birthday of providing community charity work.

It was a busy month at CIP Long Beach as students and staff worked together to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.

We celebrated our anniversary with CIP founder, Dr. Michael McManmon, students, staff, family, and community partners. We thank Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw and his field deputy Barbara Moore for presenting us with an appreciation certificate and proclamation from Mayor Robert Garcia.

Kevin recently turned 26 and is passionate about theme parks. When he landed a job at Goofy’s Kitchen in The Disneyland Hotel, he was thrilled to be employed at one of the biggest theme parks in the US.

CIP’s Long Beach Center is making a splash this Fall with a record number of enrolled students, new community partnerships, student success in the workplace, and an exciting volunteer event with Hollywood celebrities.

Netflix’s original dramedy, “Atypical” which premiered August 11, delves into the life of a young man entering his senior year in high school who happens to be a high-functioning autistic person.

The show follows “Sam” and his family through this turbulent period, giving its audience “not in the club” an eye-opening opportunity to connect with this family and their daily issues. My son, Anthony, who is on the autism spectrum, himself, was given a small role. His name is “Christopher”… Show more

Netflix’s original dramedy, “Atypical” which premiered August 11, delves into the life of a young man entering his senior year in high school who happens to be a high-functioning autistic person.

The show follows “Sam” and his family through this turbulent period, giving its audience “not in the club” an eye-opening opportunity to connect with this family and their daily issues. My son, Anthony, who is on the autism spectrum, himself, was given a small role. His name is “Christopher” and through the mother’s’ long-standing friendship, happens to be a part of Sam’s life. Wait. What? Other than performing scenes in his theatre classes at school, Anthony’s never really acted. How could this be possible? Show less

Kevin Wright’s passion is amusement parks and he knew just about everything there was to know about Disneyland.
And, so, when he was hired last fall to work at the Happiest Place on Earth, new-employee orientation didn’t reveal anything he didn’t already know.

But the 24-year-old man might not have landed his dream job had he not been in a Long Beach program that helps autistic high school graduates make the leap to college and the job market.

We promoted Autism Awareness Month at one of our internship partners, St. Lucy's Catholic School. We held a workshop in which we presented materials on Autism acceptance, bullying, discrimination and how all of these things relate to those on the spectrum.

If I am having a bad day, I like to read about women who are doing good in the world, such as First Lady Michelle Obama. I like to look at what these women have accomplished. Though they may have been afraid of failing despite all their hard work, they didn’t give up.

My mother also inspires me, for everything she has done for me. In fact, my whole family has been a great source of emotional support, and I know I can trust them. I also look up to Jocelyn Howard, my career coordinator at… Show more

If I am having a bad day, I like to read about women who are doing good in the world, such as First Lady Michelle Obama. I like to look at what these women have accomplished. Though they may have been afraid of failing despite all their hard work, they didn’t give up.

My mother also inspires me, for everything she has done for me. In fact, my whole family has been a great source of emotional support, and I know I can trust them. I also look up to Jocelyn Howard, my career coordinator at the College Internship Program.

Jocelyn has helped me succeed in college and at my internship at Found Animals pet adoption center.
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Fall 2016 was a truly exciting term for the careers team, led by our new Career Coordinator, Jocelyn Howard.

Our students were active in learning the foundations of embarking on their individual career paths. With a new positive energy and exciting team, our students are not only learning the process in career mapping, but are enjoying actively participating in developing their unique job paths.