September 14, 2022

Project Career Launch, a school-to-work transition program for youth on the autism spectrum, welcomed PNC Bank to their classrooms for a second year to learn about financial literacy. Representatives from the PNC African American Employee Business Resource Group (AAEBRG) conducted an 8-week program. "There’s new information every day. We learned about withdrawing and depositing money, writing a check, and even interviewing,” a Project Career Launch student said. A total of 46 Project Career Launch students have completed the financial literacy program to prepare them for career-focused employment.

The A.J.Drexel Autism Institute's partnership with PNC Bank is a part of Project Career Launch's curriculum for students to develop an understanding of financial literacy. The curriculum also includes understanding the value of work, expectations and career development, job matching, job search, and associated skills to obtain and maintain employment, building self-management skills related to employment, and self-determination and self-advocacy.

Project Career Launch is a collaboration of Transition Pathways of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, the School District of Philadelphia-Hill-Freedman World Academy, and Community Integrated Services. Project Career Launch is a school-to-work transition program to prepare young adults on the autism spectrum for career-focused employment, creating more opportunities for youth on the autism spectrum.