Residents urge Clewiston commission to help adults with neurodiversity find work

A resident told the Clewiston City Commission that many local adults with neurodiversity have education and transferable skills but lack help promoting themselves and entering the workforce. “Some of them have attended college and have associate degrees and have bachelor's degrees, but they don't have the know how to go and promote themselves,” the resident said during public comment.

The speaker proposed creating a committee or coalition and volunteered to participate, saying local services have dwindled: the Sunrise Center closed and vocational‑rehab offices moved out of town, forcing families to travel to Lee County. The resident asked the commission to help coordinate resources, host a panel or satellite services and guide families through confidentiality and HIPAA constraints.

A father and pastor who also spoke urged commissioners to use their influence with local businesses to provide paid opportunities. “We just need your voices and your presence…they need to know that they're failing us and that we just want our children to have a future,” he said, noting his daughter volunteers at the library and seeks paid work.

Commissioners and staff responded with offers to help connect the residents to existing providers and to provide meeting space. One commissioner suggested the county could help organize and that city facilities such as the library and youth center could support programs. Staff asked the resident to leave contact information with the city clerk so officials can follow up.

Next steps: staff and commissioners said they would reach out to CareerSource and other regional providers and explore creating a local coalition or satellite services to improve access and sustain supports locally.