By: Sandi Anderson
Mother of SS4Kids team member, Joel Anderson
Greetings Friends,
This is an exciting month to honor Disability Employment Month because Joel Anderson has been able to return to Public Speaking and events! He has volunteered with The Autism Tree Project Foundation for almost 20 years, and when possible ATPF commissions Joel for a very special artwork to be used on the cover of the ATPF International Neuroscience Conference Program and to present to all the speakers and volunteers. Joel also had the unique opportunity to speak at Cimmaron Memorial High School to their Varsity Football Team and High School Homecoming Pep Rallies to over 2000 students helping to launch the new buddy program with the Football Team and the special education students!
Temple Grandin once encouraged Joel that volunteering can get you in the door to someday turn into a paid opportunity. She was right! So often everyone just wants that high paying job from the first time out of the gate and that is so rare. You need to start somewhere.
Joel continues to get art commissions and sales through events with The Art of Autism, D’Vine Path Program and Art Studios and his many connections.
Even during the Covid years, Joel was commissioned to illustrate 3 children’s books “Rudy’s Stories” (now he has done a total of 6!)
I am proud of Joel for being willing to go to events and meet new people and to join opportunities in our community like the Fallbrook Art Association where last month he had a piece purchased by our State Senator Brian Jones. Senator Jones even called and asked to meet Joel in person and he and his staff drove over to take photos with Joel and some of his friends at the D’Vine Path Program and Art Studios!
This weekend we enjoyed having Joel’s art along with his fellow artists of The Art of Autism with the Mainly Mozart Concert events in Del Mar. Joel’s new Composer Series are now available on Beautiful Totes, Everything Bags and handmade Silk Scarves. They have been a big hit!
Joel still has the desire to be able to have a consistent job in the art field and or video production. In the meantime we are blessed for his art to create and share a Smile with the world!
