Neighbors named director of Owen Autism Center

September 18, 2019 | 3:15 am

Updated September 17, 2019 | 10:25 pm

Blaire Neighbors was named director of the Owen Autism Center. She currently serves as the director of Employment Opportunities, a division of Puzzle Pieces that focuses on job placement for those with disabilities. | Photo contributed by Puzzle Pieces

Puzzle Pieces announced last month the nonprofit will be moving to a new 27,000 square foot building, consolidating its services and adding the Owen Autism Center. Staff at the organization hosted a meeting for parents Tuesday night to learn about the upcoming changes and announced a director for the autism center.

Blaire Neighbors was named director of the Owen Autism Center. She currently serves as the director of Employment Opportunities, a division of Puzzle Pieces that focuses on job placement for those with disabilities.

“This is a dream come true,” Neighbors said. “I love what I do with employment, but my background is with autism.”

Before joining Puzzles Pieces a year ago, Neighbors was a special education teacher in a highly structured classroom. She interned with Puzzles Pieces while in college and ultimately hoped to work for the nonprofit.

“Autism is my niche,” she said. “This position will allow me to show my God-given talent.”

Puzzle Pieces Campus Executive Director Amanda Owen said Neighbors was the perfect fit for the position.

“Not many people can match my drive and passion,” Owen said of Neighbors. “I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

Employment Opportunities launched in September 2018 with Neighbors at the helm. In the last 12 months Neighbors has placed 22 people with disabilities with local businesses and industries.

“She was able to make something from nothing,” Owen said.

Neighbors will transition to Owen Autism Center when the program opens in the spring of 2020. Kitty Jones, who is currently serving as an employment opportunities specialist, will take over Neighbors’ current role.

Owen said since holding a press conference in late August regarding all of the nonprofit’s expected changes, she has had an overwhelming amount of community support.

“They are just showing up,” she said. “I don’t even have to ask.”

Community members, client families and businesses looking for corporate team building are all helping prepare the new campus at 2401 New Hartford Road. Owen said the nonprofit will operate out of the new building by early November.

“The pressure seems intensified after the announcement,” she said. “But that is what drives me. It’s what makes me want to do more. God has blessed this path.”

Owen said her main goal of Tuesday’s “Meet the Provider, Learn the Service” informational meeting was to let clients and families know she and her team hope to meet their needs wherever they are.

“We are trying to support them in early childhood intervention services to getting them a job,” she said. “This is a whole life approach.”

Services will be offered for a person with a disability from the age of 18 months old through their death.

“Consistency has been the number one issue with parents,” Neighbors said.

This diversified service plan is particularly true for autisic children, Owen said, with the new center targeting children across the autism spectrum.

“This building is large enough to address that where we couldn’t before,” she said.

September 18, 2019 | 3:15 am

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