Thiago Robinson has a present, however he got here near by no means opening it.
Robinson, 20, of Alameda, is neurodivergent, and till lately, issues weren’t going all that nice for him. He needed greater than what life was providing in the meanwhile, and that’s when a fortunate likelihood discovered him.
Whereas residing in a homeless shelter in San Francisco, Robinson discovered a few Lafayette-based group known as the Social Justice Stitching Academy, and one in every of their landmark efforts, the Social Connection.
The Social Justice Stitching Academy is far more than stitching machines and needlework. Based in 2017 by then 18-year-old Sara Path, the Academy centered on spurring and nurturing activism and youth engagement by means of stitching initiatives that included making quilt blocks banners with messages reminiscent of “Stop Police Brutality.”
The academy has since grown past that and now gives free providers to neurodivergent adults all through the Bay Space.
The applications supplied by means of the Academy and the Social Connection are a patchwork quilt of alternatives.
Sabira Williams, Social Connection’s program director, says the inclusive applications present assist with particular person residing abilities, and has a purpose of serving to individuals get jobs, if they need them — and most do.
Nevertheless it goes past easy family budgeting and interview abilities. Members can take programs geared toward getting a driver’s license, bettering pc data and studying to handle public transit.
The Social Connection member Thiago Robinson, 20, helps out within the kitchen by serving to put together a meals plate at The Social Connection in Lafayette, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. The Social Connection is an progressive social membership program primarily based in Lafayette that serves neurodivergent adults, together with these on the autism spectrum. Their mission is to create a vibrant “social club” atmosphere the place members can construct significant friendships, achieve life abilities, and take part absolutely of their neighborhood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
The broader view divides pursuits into artwork, culinary, management and improvement, and know-how and gaming. Members vote on what areas to discover and if sufficient individuals are fascinated about a sure subject, the Social Connection and Academy attempt to oblige.
For instance, Williams says, most of the members needed to study 3-D printing, in order that they discovered somebody who may usher in a printer and instruct on use it. These within the topic are utilizing the printer to make objects they then promote, serving to with their purpose towards independence.
Some mother and father with neurodivergent kids might need decrease expectations for his or her autistic kids, however the Academy can open doorways they won’t know existed.
Not everybody, Williams says, is a match for a 9-to-5 job. They could have inventive abilities that may be developed to supply a residing.
One of many widespread areas of curiosity is within the culinary fields, and it was right here that Robinson found he has a particular expertise on the subject of cooking.
“It really opens my mind. I love to try different seasonings,” Robinson says. “When it smells good, I know I did it right.”
The Social Connection member Thiago Robinson, 20, is photographed at The Social Connection in Lafayette, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. The Social Connection is an progressive social membership program primarily based in Lafayette that serves neurodivergent adults, together with these on the autism spectrum. Their mission is to create a vibrant “social club” atmosphere the place members can construct significant friendships, achieve life abilities, and take part absolutely of their neighborhood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
His favourite dishes embrace pasta – he makes his personal sauce utilizing quite a lot of the spices he loves most – and steak, however he’s additionally discovered to make totally different drinks and teas. He cooks on the Academy, serving to to organize and repair a every day lunch.
Members concerned within the culinary program got here up with the thought of working their very own meals truck, and that’s what the group plans to make use of the Share the Spirit funds to assist pay for, license and outfit a meals truck. The group already has designed a emblem and a reputation, the Candy Spectrum Firm.
Path and Williams see countless potentialities for the meals truck. Not solely wouldn’t it give Academy members an opportunity to securely discover the meals service trade, but additionally get them extra concerned with the neighborhood, which is one other purpose of the Social Connection.
Members will vote on the kind of meals the truck will provide, and are contemplating a rotation that may give every individual, or group of individuals, the chance to serve their explicit meals. Some choices could be to have specialty drinks in a single rotation, sandwiches in one other, and desserts in one other. The meals could be easy and simply distributed, however it could be an evolving venture.
The Social Connection program director Sabira Williams, left, observes and assists members as they work collectively to finish a category venture whereas at The Social Connection in Lafayette, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. The Social Connection is an progressive social membership program primarily based in Lafayette that serves neurodivergent adults, together with these on the autism spectrum. Their mission is to create a vibrant “social club” atmosphere the place members can construct significant friendships, achieve life abilities, and take part absolutely of their neighborhood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Past monetary help, the Academy is all the time in search of materials donations and volunteers who can train sure abilities and crafts.
“Anyone who has a skill can come lead a class and teach,” Path says. So long as you possibly can move a fingerprint take a look at, you possibly can train.”
Path says generally individuals donate tools, but when nobody is aware of use it, it may be irritating. A few of the members need to learn to construct birdhouses, however nobody with the Academy has expertise doing that. Path says she tried to study watching YouTube and TikTok, however her makes an attempt resulted in a variety of cut up wooden and no accomplished venture.
“We need a dad to help teach,” Path says, laughing.
The extra the neighborhood will get concerned, Williams says, the higher it’s for the members on the Academy. Being totally different may be isolating, so the Social Connection needs to increase interactions with most of the people.
Robinson says the Social Connection has modified him.
“It’s made me less shy and has made me get out of my comfort zone,” he says. “They help you in the best ways. They find out what each person needs and they help them.”
The Social Connection members work on finishing a category venture whereas at The Social Connection in Lafayette, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. The Social Connection is an progressive social membership program primarily based in Lafayette that serves neurodivergent adults, together with these on the autism spectrum. Their mission is to create a vibrant “social club” atmosphere the place members can construct significant friendships, achieve life abilities, and take part absolutely of their neighborhood. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
HOW TO HELPDonations to the Social Justice Stitching Academy will assist The Social Connection’s mission to supply progressive social, instructional, and vocational alternatives for neurodivergent adults within the East Bay. This system will serve at the least 150 people over the subsequent six months. Purpose: $5,000
HOW TO GIVEDonate at sharethespiriteastbay.org/donate or by mail utilizing this way. Donations are tax deductible.
ONLINE EXTRARead different Share the Spirit tales, view pictures and video at sharethespiriteastbay.org.
