CIP Berkeley Makes a Difference During Autism Awareness Month

In April, College Internship Program’s Berkeley campus celebrated Autism Awareness Month as an opportunity for invigorating the LD community through knowledge, service, and advocacy. 

The autism population has disproportionately low employment rates, a fact that CIP is working to change every day through career workshops, counseling, and job coaching for our students. As a kick-off event for Autism Awareness Month, CIP Berkeley hosted a free panel event for the community that brought together thought-leaders in the realm of employment for people with Autism and other learning differences. With new developments, resources, and out-of-the box opportunities on the horizon, this panel shared a bright message of inclusion for the future of neurodiversity.  

Making a positive contribution to society, as we all know, goes well beyond the confines of employment. That is precisely why the entire CIP Berkeley team used Autism Awareness Month as a opportunity to engage in a large-scale community service project. With students and staff working side-by-side, CIP Berkeley went to the home of the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park, to volunteer in the preparation of an educational conference for the LD community, EdRev. Setting up tables, posters, and swag bags may sound like minutia, but with a cheerful attitude and a knack for workflow, this team sure did find a way to have fun while organizing essential pieces of the conference.

Self-advocacy shone bright as CIP students represented themselves and their classmates in a month-long project called “Light It Up Blue.” Students filled the center with blue decor, and wore blue around town to share awareness of autism. CIP students and alums also took a celebratory lap in blue as they participated in the popular cancer fundraiser, Relay 4 Life.

Knowledge, service, and advocacy are fundamental to the mission of College Internship Program. As the Berkeley campus celebrates opportunities and contributes to the community, the network-building, awareness spreading, and self-empowering design of Autism Awareness Month is undoubtedly paid its due respect.

You can check out the rest of our Autism Awareness Month photos on our Flickr page. Don't forget to Like us on Facebook to keep updated on all of CIP Berkeley's activities!