CC's Story

Ciara, also known as CC, began meeting with her Adult Life Planner through Abilities Network Autism Services when she was 18. Initially she would onlycommunicate non-verbally with Abilities Network staff and only spoke when prompted by her mother. When she walked into a room, her head was alwaysdown and she was not comfortable making eye contact. CC had a very small circleof people in her life to support her, but she had a big dream of one day operatingher own business.Together, CC and her Adult Life Planner developed a Life Plan and identified goalsto help CC transition from school into adulthood. CC's love for popcorn became the topic of many discussions prompting her and her team to identify ways to turn that fascination into a business. CC slowly began to build her confidence, which increasedher ability to talk with people. Very soon she started to sell popcorn at birthday partiesand other places in the community.With the help of CC's family and her Adult Life Planner, she is now in the processof developing a business plan and a marketing strategy to sell her popcorn. Ciara haspurchased her own commercial style popcorn maker and has set off as an entrepreneur.Each box of popcorn is labeled, "Poppin' 4 CC – UR Awesome", reflecting her enthusiastic approach to her goals. Her positive attitude, support from AbilitiesNetwork, family, and friends will make her passion for popcorn an employment opportunity and her dream a reality.