1. Center for All Abilities

The Center for All Abilities (CAA) is a nonprofit organization based in New York City that empowers individuals of all abilities through tailored programs that foster growth, creativity, and community engagement. Their offerings include creative arts therapies, life skills training, mentorship opportunities, and group activities designed to build confidence, social skills, and independence for neurodiverse participants. CAA also hosts community events and collaborates with local partners to celebrate neurodiversity and promote inclusivity​. https://www.allabilities.org/

2. Pure Vision Arts

Pure Vision Arts is a nonprofit creative studio in New York City dedicated to supporting artists with autism and other developmental disabilities. The studio provides a nurturing environment, materials, and mentorship, empowering artists to develop their unique talents and exhibit their work. As an inclusive space, it fosters a vibrant community and helps artists gain recognition in the broader art world. https://www.purevisionarts.org

3. Job Path

Job Path is a New York City-based organization that encourages individuals with developmental disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Its programs include supported living, employment services, and community connections, helping participants secure jobs, establish their own homes, and actively engage in their communities. By offering self-direction and personalized support, Job Path enables people to make meaningful choices about their lives and achieve their goals. https://www.jobpathnyc.org/about-us/

4. PAWSaBILITY

At Pawsability, we believe autistic individuals deserve to be gainfully employed and active participants in their communities. We offer vocational training in a supportive work environment, equipping autistic adults with the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful careers in the pet care industry. https://www.pawsabilitydogclub.com/

Grace Yang - CAA's Music Therapy Advanced Intern

Yang is a vibrant and inspiring advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion through the arts. Recently graduating from NYU’s Music Therapy master’s program, she currently serves as an advanced music therapy intern at the Center for All Abilities (CAA). Grace uses music and dance to connect with participants, helping them explore creative identities and practice physical expression.

Diagnosed with autism at a young age, Grace herself benefited from creative therapies, including Grace music therapy and dance. These experiences sparked her passion for the transformative power of the arts, inspiring her to pursue a career dedicated to sharing these forms of expression with others. Her personal journey fuels her commitment to helping neurodiverse individuals discover their own voices and build confidence through creative outlets.

Tara Zajkowski - Pawsability

Tara was the first autistic adult to complete Pawsability’s vocational training program in the summer of 2022. Before joining us, she worked just a few hours a week at a company that didn’t fully value her contributions. She applied to Pawsability because of her love for dogs and her eagerness to gain the skills needed to advance her career.

During the program, Tara quickly stood out for her kindness, eagerness to learn, passion for working with animals, and wonderful sense of humor. She graduated with newfound confidence and the skills to pursue employment, ultimately securing a position with the Department of Education. She now works part-time at John F. Kennedy Jr. High School, a school for students with special needs, where she serves lunches to students five days a week.

Elisa Huberman - Pure Vision

Elisa Huberman is a multi-talented veteran of our program who hails from City Island in the Bronx. Elisa's meticulous and whimsical watercolor paintings are a delight to behold and usually depict fantastical scenes inspired by fairy tales and folk lore. Elisa is also a talented storyteller and writer and has published several children's books, notable among them is "The Odd Duckling" which is inspired by her own experience as an autistic child. Her work has been exhibited at Pure Vision Arts, The New York Transit Museum, Art Enables, The Outsider Art Fair, The Museum of Modern Art, Google Global Headquarters, and more. Elisa is a shining example of the vibrant can-do spirit that the Felix Award recognizes. 

Derek Hernandez - Job Path

Derek Hernandez has worked part-time (20 hrs. per wk.) at the NY Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn since 2019. He works in the Visitor Experience Department, so his job consists of walking the museum, answering guest questions, and enforcing basic rules, like politely telling children not to run. 

Derek is a diehard train enthusiast who refers to subway cars by their model numbers (R 32, R 211-T, etc.), does extraordinary impressions of many of the sounds the subway makes—a spot-on imitation of the sound the car makes while breaking, for example—and in general possesses a passion for transit that is really wonderful to encounter.