Matthew Martolano
UMatter Grant
How We Are Helping
We are pleased to announce our latest grant to Matthew Martolano. Matthew went through a competitive interview process to gain acceptance into the UMatter Program at the University of South Florida. A brief description of the program follows. Matthew hopes to use the program as a bridge to a college degree in
Sports Management.
UMatter’s Mission: Dedicated to providing an accessible and inclusive university experience leading to
competitive integrated employment and independent living. The Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter is an innovative inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program created to provide young people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience higher education and campus life.
With support from UMatter professional staff and mentors, students in the program navigate the transition from high school to college, acquire skills in socialization and independent living, and experience professional training through internships.
Mike Wilson of the JG Wilson Foundation presents a check to Matthew Mortolano for his UMatter scholarship.
Mike Wilson of the JG Wilson Foundation presents a check to Matthew Mortolano for his UMatter scholarship.
The program aims to help students increase their skills in the five program components based on their individualized goals and tailored program of study: academic access and enrichment, career development and employment, campus and community engagement, self-determination, and independent living.
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Students will complete their program of study by earning a certificate of completion and accomplishment and a Career Micro-Badge from USF based upon their individualized career goals and program of study. The Career Readiness Badge addresses eight essential skills employers look for when hiring interns or new employees: communications, critical thinking, global citizenship, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology
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Students who successfully complete the program will be in a position to obtain competitive employment aligned with their selected program of study.
Bridlepath Equine Center
Quarryville, PA
Bridlepath Equine Center is a nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship center that provides assisted riding sessions and group programming to individuals with special needs including those with autism. We are delighted to provide Danielle, the Director of the Center, with a scholarship that will allow her to continue building her programs and providing children with autism the opportunity to experience equine therapy in a safe, supported way. These funds will allow multiple children with the opportunity to attend riding sessions at a discounted rate, or free of charge.
Doug Wilson, of the JG Wilson Foundation, presents a check to Danielle, the Director of Bridlepath Equine Center.
Doug Wilson, of the JG Wilson Foundation, visits Bridlepath Equine Center.
Doug Wilson, of the JG Wilson Foundation, presents a check to Danielle, the Director of Bridlepath Equine Center.
Porto Charities
Arlington, VA
We are happy to announce another grant given to Porto Charities, an organization dedicated to increasing the educational resources available to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Catholic Diocese. The grant provided by the JG Wilson Foundation will directly benefit two individuals that utilize Porto Charities services. Some of the funds will provide a young man named Jeyoon Choo with the additional training he needs in order for him to be eligible to work additional hours at a preschool. Remaining funds will assist another client training for her barista job.
Karen Lucas, of the JG Wilson Foundation presents a grant check to Porto Charities representative, Christine Fowler.
Pictured left to right: Jeyoon Choo, grant recipient, Porto Charities client, Lucia Williamson, daughter of the photographer, Christine Fowler, Porto Charities representative, Karen Lucas or the JG Wilson Foundation
Karen Lucas, of the JG Wilson Foundation presents a grant check to Porto Charities representative, Christine Fowler.
The Gramon Family of Schools
Fairfield, NJ
We are pleased to announce another grant recipient, The Gramon Family of Schools. This organization was established in 1939 with a mission to prepare students for their lifelong journeys through supportive environments, collaborative relationships, and implementation of best practices. Grant funds provided to the school will be utilized to restart their student bowling program which was interupted due to the covid pandemic. Bowling is a sport that students of all abilities can truly enjoy; thus, the turnout for this intramural sport was immense. Historically, over 75 students participated in either a winter or spring league. We are excited for the Gramon school to be able to restart this intramural and continue to provide students with fun opportunities to work together as a team, enhance social skills and promote healthy lifestyles.
Foundation member, Tom Wilson, presents a grant check to two representatives of the Gramon Family of Schools.
Facilities available at the Gramon School
Facilities available at the Gramon School
Foundation member, Tom Wilson, presents a grant check to two representatives of the Gramon Family of Schools.
Emily Auer via PRISM of Georgia
Roswell, GA
We are happy to announce another grant recipient, Emily Auer. Emily has been attending PRISM for seven years and used her grant money to continue her enrollment in 2023. PRISM is an organization dedicated to providing vocational services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Their programs are focused on life skills, job skills and community inclusion. They also provide independent living support and parent consulting for families. Read more about their services on their website.
John Wilson of the J & G Wilson Foundation presents a grant check to PRISM of Georgia
Downingtown Area School District
Downingtown, PA
We are excited to announce another grant recipient. The Downingtown Area School District has two programs specifically designed for students with special needs. Their life skills program for ages 14-18 begins to shift their education more towards independent living and vocational skills. Although the students still have academic classes, they also participate in functional academics where they learn a host of skills such as applying and interviewing for jobs, interacting with people on the job site, and home economics. Working with our community partners, such as Boscov’s, Freddy’s Burgers, Tractor Supply and many others, the students learn the necessary skills they will need to gain and maintain employment.
Once the students graduate from their respective high schools, they have the option to move on to the Transition Program. In this program, the students are out of the classroom and in the community 70% of their day. During this time, students go out to work through the DASD Work Program. Some attend classes at the Technical or Community College. The students plan and shop for lunches, learn to access public transportation, garden, cook, clean, mow the lawn, and work to become more successful when they leave Downingtown Area School District.
Pictured: Doug Wilson of the J & G Wilson Foundation presents a grant check to the members of the Downingtown Area School District
Pictured: Doug Wilson of the J & G Wilson Foundation presents a grant check to the members of the Downingtown Area School District
Joshua Rodriguez
As we have said, there was nothing our parents enjoyed more than traveling. They made time every year to see somewhere new and loved to experience different cultures. They truly had a wanderlust. For this reason, we were very excited to support our most recent grant recipient, Josh Rodriguez, with funds to explore his roots in Spain during the summer of 2022.
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UPDATE: Joshua had an amazing time! He was one of the youngest people in the tour group and learned so much about his heritage, tried new foods, saw authentic art, sculptures, monuments, the Royal Palace of Spain, etc.
Pictured: Joshua enjoying a snack in Spain!
Pictured: Joshua enjoying a snack in Spain!
The Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program
The Foundation responded to a request for funding to sponsor a rider. A horse can be an intimidating animal. They are large, strong and fast. TRP provides education and experiences that remove the intimidation and teach that the movement of the horse can provide muscle and sensory stimulation that brings about physical, emotional and cognitive rehabilitation. The rhythmic, repetitive gait of the horse is similar to the human gait and gives the experience of normal walking movement in the rider. Riding the horse brings a sense of freedom, confidence and accomplishment that can extend into other daily activity.
We are pleased that someone on the spectrum will be the recipient of that confidence boost and could potentially develop a rewarding life-long hobby.
Prism
Roswell, GA
Prism of Georgia has an Atlanta based program that works to ensure people needing support have opportunities to continue learning and growing. The curriculum includes life and employment skills training, on-on-one job coaching, and real work experience at job sites.
The James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation provided a scholarship to one of their existing students who is experiencing financial hardship. Now she can continue in the program and keep developing the necessary skills to advance as an adult.
John Wilson, of the James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation, presents a check to members of Prism.
John Wilson, of the James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation, presents a check to members of Prism.
Autism Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK
The James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation is pleased to announce another contribution. We have supported Autism Oklahoma’s Invisible Layers program, a pre-employment program for young adults on the autism spectrum who are interested in filmmaking. They provide education in screenwriting, production, and editing. Invisible Layers has 10- 12 participants each year. Participants make a half to one year commitment to be in the program. The most recent class begins their journey in January. To learn more about Invisible Layers and other programs from Autism Oklahoma, view their web page.
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Update: The Workshop was a huge success! Activities included classroom sessions in "Film 101," "Setting Up A Scene," and "Camera Crash Course," and well as hands-on practical sessions in short film creation.
Pictured: Participants at the Film-making workshop made possible by Autism Oklahoma, the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City Community College
Pictured: Workshop participants work with professional film-makers
Pictured: Participants at the Film-making workshop made possible by Autism Oklahoma, the Film Education Institute of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City Community College
Lionheart WORKS
Atlanta, GA
Funds that we provided to Lionheart Works in Atlanta Georgia helped educate and mentor the vocational support staff and job coaches so that they can best serve the participants in the program- young adults with neurodiverse developmental profiles who ambitiously want to be a vital part in the community as workers making a difference in the world. If you would like more information about Lionheart WORKS, please visit their website.. ​
Pictured: John Wilson of The James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation presents a check to members of Lionheart WORKS
Pictured: John Wilson of The James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation presents a check to members of Lionheart WORKS
HIVE Program
East Hanover, NJ
Funds that we provided to the HIVE Program at Hanover Park High School were used to expand classroom facilities in an effort to support a larger number of students in the program. The program goal is to offer vocational and educational opportunities for Autistic adults to learn employment skills. Experiences enable students to prepare for adult and working life in a controlled environment. Life skills training is provided so students can navigate the social and logistical aspects of employment.​
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UPDATE: The classroom expansion is complete, and the students are using the additional space to effectively increase their production and sales of the products they use to sustain the program. We were excited to see how helping to knock down physical walls has improved an already excellent program.
Pictured: Students enjoying the new kitchen and expanded spaces.
Pictured: Students enjoying the new kitchen
Pictured: Tom Wilson of The James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation presents a check to the Director of HIVE Program.
Pictured: Students enjoying the new kitchen and expanded spaces.
Jeanette Hildwine
Downington, PA
The James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation is pleased to provide funding to the Special Education Dept of Pennsylvania’s Downington East school district for the creation of a greenhouse. Jeanette Hildwine, a Special Education Teacher spearheading the effort said the greenhouse will give the children a chance to work on their vocational and independent living skills in a hands-on manner. We look forward to seeing the actual fruits of their labor.​
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UPDATE: The Greenhouse project is underway!
Pictured: Jeanette with the greenhouse and students Gavin, Lauren, and Akash
Pictured: Doug Wilson of the James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation awarding our latest donation to Jeanette Hildwine of the Downington East (PA) school district.
Pictured: Jeanette Hildwine and one of her students receive their check from the James and Genevieve Wilson Foundation
Pictured: Jeanette with the greenhouse and students Gavin, Lauren, and Akash
Stephen A Wilson
Scholarship Recipients
Omaries Rivera Perez via Specially Fit
In our search for the first recipient of the Stephen Wilson athletic scholarship we connected with Specially Fit. They introduced us to Omaries who is a Special Olympian that competes in track and field. Omaries was
training for the National competition that was held in June at the ESPN sports complex in Orlando and wanted to improve her time in the 400 meter and her distance in the shot put. We provided funds for a coach to work one-on-one with her.
In June of 2022 Omaries competed with Team Florida and brought home 3 medals. She won silver in the 400 meter, silver in the shotput and a bronze in her first time running the 400 meter relay (competing against both men and women). The joy on her face in the pictures sent to us by her parents and supporters are priceless. We are humbled to be a part of her journey and know that our brother for whom the scholarship is named would be proud.
Pictured: Omaries, with her parents on the ends and Mark Oliver of Specially Fit on her left, receives her scholarship from Foundation President, Mike Wilson (Omaries' right)
Pictured: Omaries Rivera Perez poses at home with her Special Olympics medals
Pictured: Foundation President Mike Wilson with Omaries
Pictured: Omaries, with her parents on the ends and Mark Oliver of Specially Fit on her left, receives her scholarship from Foundation President, Mike Wilson (Omaries' right)