TACT - Teaching the Autism Community Trades

??? Fantastic Friday at TACT ??? NKBA Builds With TACT Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to the NKBA Rocky Mountain Chapter for organizing and hosting an unforgettable Casino Night & Fundraiser to support our mission here at TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades). A special shout-out to the incredible leaders who made this event possible: ??? Stephanie Shephard, President ??? Jacqueline Durant, Programs Chair ??? Delilah Collins, Communications Chair Your dedication, hard work, and vision brought together hundreds of supporters who rallied behind our mission to empower and uplift our students through trades education. The NKBA, since its founding in 1963, has been a beacon of excellence in the kitchen and bath industry, uniting over 40,000 members across 11 industry segments throughout the U.S. and Canada. Your support is a testament to your unwavering commitment to making a difference, not just in your industry but in communities like ours. To everyone who attended, donated, and supported—your contributions fuel our ability to encourage, empower, educate, and employ. Together, we’re building brighter futures! ?? Thank you, NKBA, for believing in TACT! #FantasticFriday #NKBA #CasinoNight #ThankYou

Friday's at TACT - Teaching the Autism Community Trades: Two men, cut from the same cloth, share a vision that goes beyond skills and trades—it’s about changing lives. With a passion rooted in compassion and a drive to empower, they are touching countless lives, inspiring a future filled with opportunity, and proving that a shared purpose can create limitless impact. Together, they’re building more than careers—they’re building hope.

TACT is deeply honored and thrilled!

??? Thankful Thursday at TACT ??? Today, we celebrate the true foundation of what makes TACT such a special place—our incredible staff! It all started with one man's dream an passion—a 4th-generation tradesman and gifted guitarist who wrote the perfect song to make TACT sing. From that vision grew a team of passionate individuals who bring life to our mission every single day. Every success, every smile, every moment of growth happens because of their unwavering dedication and passion. Our team is more than just educators and mentors; they are dream builders, confidence boosters, and life-changers. They empower our students to embrace their potential, fostering skills that light the path toward independence and opportunity. To the staff who pour their hearts into TACT every single day, thank you for being the backbone of our mission. Your commitment and compassion create an environment where hope thrives and futures are built. ?Let’s hear it for the team that truly makes magic happen at TACT! #ThankfulThursday #TeamTACT #OneMansDream #TheHeartOfTACT

??? Wonderful Wednesday at TACT ??? {OrePac, Builds With TACT!} Today, we extend our deepest gratitude for an extraordinary gift from OrePac, one of the largest wood distributors in the Pacific Northwest! This family-owned business, founded by Glenn Hart in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has made an incredible impact on TACT’s Carpentry Department with their generous donation. This moment wouldn’t have been possible without the personal and professional relationship of Matthew Valenzuela, whose dedication and connection made this partnership a reality. Matt, thank you for believing in TACT’s mission and opening the door to such transformative support. OrePac Building Products’s donation is more than a contribution—it’s an investment in empowering hands-on creativity and unlocking the potential for future employment opportunities. With these invaluable resources, our students will gain the skills and confidence to build their futures, one project at a time. Thank you, OrePac, and thank you, Matt, for helping us craft brighter tomorrows. Together, we’re shaping a community of possibilities! #WonderfulWednesday #EmpoweringTrades #CarpentryAtTACT #OrePacGenerosity #MattValenzuelaImpact

??? Tip Tuesday at TACT ??? How We Fill the Emotional Gas Tank At TACT, we believe that character and values are the foundation of everything we do. They guide us in every interaction, every lesson, and every success story. Our core values—Integrity, Respect, Grace, Discipline, and Empowerment—are not just words; they are the heartbeat of TACT. ??? Integrity: We do what’s right, even when no one is watching. ??? Respect: We honor the unique strengths and dignity of every individual. ??? Grace: We approach challenges with compassion and understanding. ??? Discipline: We stay focused on the path to success, no matter how hard the journey. ??? Empowerment: We inspire confidence and provide the tools for independence. These values reflect the character of TACT and the incredible community we are building together. Let them inspire you as you work toward your own goals!? #TipTuesday #ValuesMatter #Integrity #Empowerment #TACT

??? MONDAY MOTIVATION AT TACT ??? WHY TACT? Empowerment is more than just a word—it’s the foundation of transformation. It’s the belief that every individual has the potential to grow, thrive, and achieve greatness when given the tools, guidance, and encouragement to do so. At TACT, empowerment means unlocking doors to opportunities, teaching skills that inspire confidence, and fostering independence. It's the spark that ignites dreams and turns them into reality. Why is empowerment important? Because it changes lives—not just for today but for generations to come. It builds resilience, nurtures self-belief, and creates a ripple effect of positivity in our community. This week, let’s commit to empowering each other and ourselves. Together, we can achieve the extraordinary! ?? #MondayMotivation #EmpowermentMatters #BuildingFutures #TACT

BREAKING NEWS! ??? Friday Future at TACT ??? The TOOL-BOX For Parents & Caregivers! TACT invites all parents and caregivers to join us for a transformative journey toward building and maintaining healthy relationships. At our upcoming Caregiver Resource Training, you'll gain practical tools to foster strong, supportive connections. Together, we’ll explore how to nurture secure relationships, recognize their safety and quality, and confidently navigate away from those that may be damaging or exploitative. Whether you’re seeking guidance, encouragement, or a sense of community, this training is for you. Can’t make it in person? No problem! Join us via Zoom and receive take-home worksheets designed to provide a clear roadmap to success. ?? Empower your future and the future of those you care for. Sign Up Today to secure your spots: https://lnkd.in/gHkqFNQ6 #FridayFuture #EmpoweredCaregivers #StrongerTogether

?? Thankful Thursday at TACT ?? This is what TACT is Thankful For! With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, we’re reflecting on the heart of what we do here at TACT. We are beyond grateful for the chance to Encourage, Empower, Educate, and Employ within the trades, paving the way for a brighter future for our clients/students. Every skill mastered, every job landed, and every life uplifted is a step toward fulfilling what we have in store and all that’s yet to come. Here's to gratitude and growth — and a future filled with possibility! Contact Us Today for a Tour! Liam Murphy, [email protected]? #ThankfulThursday #TradesForTomorrow #EmpowerThroughTACT

Today marks two years since I joined the Department of the Air Force's Neurodiversity Initiative. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Major Dan Kiser, who changed my life by helping me unlock my ability to illustrate the nuances of the human condition and drive a paradigm shift — one that embraces a richer, fuller picture of our diversity and neurocognitive functioning. In the past two years, I have had the pleasure of developing research and policy on the mistreatment of neurodivergent people arising from cultural misunderstandings driven by pervasive misconceptions, stereotypes, and stigmatization, and how limited education, biased cultural norms, media influence, and medicalization contribute to the discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion of neurodiversity (ND), especially in the military. It has been an honor to engage and collaborate with global people and institutions — from the DAF Disability Team, members of Congress, the Stanford Neurodiversity Project and the SNP-REACH Camp Leaders, TACT - Teaching the Autism Community Trades (Danny Combs,), the NATO Innovation Network (NIN), to the Royal Air Force, and everyone in between. It is so heartwarming to see the diverse stakeholders committed to honoring the beauty of being human. As I continue in my career, I look forward to leading the U.S. Space Force's Neurodiversity Initiative to advance inclusive talent management, retention, and recruiting, and to enhance mission readiness and representation within the DoD, ensuring the U.S. maintains its military advantage while providing opportunities for neurodiverse individuals to thrive in their careers and influence the nation at large. Empowered by radical acceptance, I have rejected silence, driven by the realization that we never had anything to hide. Together, we can influence the paradigm shift to stand unapologetically in our entirety. #Neurodiversity #USAF #USSF #NDAF