Autism Serves – Helping Hands
Empowering Neurodivergent Teens & Young Adults Through Volunteerism

The Next Generation of Service is Here!
A few years ago, Autism Empowerment hosted a nationally award-winning fun volunteerism initiative called the Autism Serves Kids Care Club. During the pandemic, our club had to close down, but recently, one of our original founding members, Sumi Dyment, came to us with a plan to evolve the group into something new that still focused on helping others but was designed for a wider age range of volunteers.
Are you or someone you know a neurodivergent teen, young adult, or someone with a disability? Would you like to give back to our community while making friends and learning new skills? Whether you’re on the autism spectrum, neurodivergent, or simply want to provide service to others, you are invited to Join our NEW Inclusive Volunteerism Program, Autism Serves – Helping Hands
Who Can Join?
Teens 13+ and young adults of all ability levels
Family members, siblings, and peer mentors who want to volunteer.
Please note that Autism Serves – Helping Hands is not a drop-off or respite care program. If a participant is under 18 or is an adult who requires assistance to participate in volunteer activities, a parent, caregiver, or approved adult attendee must stay on-site during the event. We strive to inform participants in advance about any potential sensory factors at volunteer events, allowing you to determine whether a particular service project is a good fit for you or your family member.
Why Volunteer?
Make a difference in your community
Meet like-minded friends
Gain leadership & teamwork skills
We all have gifts to give, and it feels great to help other people!
Join Autism Serves Helping Hands!
Registration form now online! – https://bit.ly/helpinghandsreg
To ask questions about this group, please email our Group Founder: Sumi at sumi@autismempowerment.org
For general Autism Empowerment questions, please contact Program Director John Krejcha at info@autismempowerment.org
You are also invited to our Facebook Group: Autism Serves Helping Hands
What Kind of Projects Will We Do?
Our neurodivergent-led group will participate in a variety of fun and meaningful community service projects throughout the Vancouver, WA area. We plan to partner with a wide range of Southwest Washington nonprofits using our gifts and talents to support their missions and values. We want to include our group members in the decision-making and brainstorming for what kind of projects are of interest to us and of need in our community. Some of the areas we will be looking at include: Animal Welfare, Disability Advocacy, Environment, Homelessness, Hunger, Kindness, Seniors, Social Justice, and Veterans. Together, we can create meaningful change and grow stronger as a community.
Examples of possible upcoming projects include:
Environmental clean-ups and park beautification
Food drives and Walk & Knock for those in need
Literacy and education support for local schools and libraries
Animal welfare and support for shelters and rescues
Sensory-friendly events and disability advocacy programs
Holiday service projects, including caroling at Stephen’s Place
Upcoming Holiday Events
Holiday Caroling at Stephen’s PlaceDate: Sunday, December 14th
Time:6:30 PM – approximately 8:00 PMÂ
Location: Stephen’s Place, 501 SE Ellsworth Rd, Vancouver, WA 98664
Join Autism Serves: Helping Hands for an evening of holiday caroling as we deck the halls with our amazing friends and adult residents at Stephen’s Place.
Teens 13+ and adults of all abilities are welcome to participate! Bring your families! Volunteers will be provided printouts of popular holiday carols that we will sing and share with local Stephen’s Place residents.Â
Registration link: https://forms.gle/M3gJ9Ji6t47HCPwMA
To Learn More:
To get more information about our group, please visit us online via our Facebook group and social media! You may also watch our kickoff Zoom meeting from February 2025
Volunteerism matters. Services changes lives.
Support Autism Serves – Helping Hands with a donation today and help us create a kinder, more inclusive world through the power of volunteering and service.
Donate Now – Help us grow our vision
Last updated 11/18/25
