OUR STORY

Jazz Hands For Autism finds its roots in 2014 when Founder and Executive Director, Ifunanya Nweke, witnessed what she calls the beginning of the road to success for Ruben, a young musician on the autism spectrum.

A typical weekday, the seventh grade students at a local middle school moved from class to class. However, their music class had a sub, which to the students of course meant... DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! So, Ruben did just that: he spontaneously sat down at the piano and began singing a song, then something happened - his other classmates flocked to the remaining instruments in the room to accompany him. 

This blew Ifunanya away. 

What she saw was Ruben—who was usually the guy in the corner of the classroom with his behavior therapist—become a leader simply by being himself and doing what he loved. She saw his capacity to succeed.

At that moment, destiny met opportunity: Ifunanya knew that there must be more musicians on the autism spectrum like Ruben, with their potential to be leaders lying dormant. So, just like that, Jazz Hands For Autism was born. We hosted the first Jazz Hands Concert on May 25th, 2014 with 3 musicians. 

Jazz Hands For Autism has since grown into a talent advocacy group and provider of individualized music-based training, vocational development and job placement for over 150 musicians with autism. 

Through the Jazz Hands Concert Series and the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy, Jazz Hands For Autism is becoming increasingly recognized for its unique approach to inclusion for individuals with autism in the music industry - by using music as vehicle through which confidence is built within the individual and bridges are built with the world at large.

Why the name "Jazz Hands"? Find out on OUR BLOG.

Mission:

We are a 501(c)(3) talent advocacy group that creates pathways to expression, employment and inclusion for musically motivated individuals with autism and other diagnoses.

Vision:

We are working towards a world where individuals on the autism spectrum are fully integrated members of society who are confident in their ability to make valued social, cultural and economic 

Values:

At Jazz Hands For Autism, We are all about T.H.E. M.U.S.I.C 

  • Teamwork between the individuals on the autism spectrum
  • Harnessing the self and the talents within by exploring new abilities.
  • Expression, and freedom with that expression.
  • Musicians: We believe that those we serve are musicians first, and comes autism second.
  • Unity: We work to create an atmosphere of unity and equality
  • Support: We work to encourage the development of confidence in abilities and talents.
  • Inclusivity: We ensure that regardless of background, race, ability, etc, that everyone we work with knows their contribution is valued. 
  • Community: We believe in community. We work to create an atmosphere that fosters friendships and camaraderie across the spectrum and with individuals without autism.
Jazz hands making a heart with vertical lines background, text “Jazz Hands for Autism”. “Make your passion your vocation” below.

JHFA THEORY OF CHANGE 2022

Goal: Adults on the Autism Spectrum are meaningfully employed and integrated into their communities

Diagram outlining a program's logic model, from goals to objectives, showing activities, outputs, and outcomes.