Ken’s Krew, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities find meaningful employment, continues to transform lives through career coaching, job placement and ongoing support. The organization’s mission is to ensure that individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities can enter the workforce, earn a fair wage and maximize their potential.
A remarkable example of Ken’s Krew’s impact is the story of Alejandro Hernandez, a 24-year-old from Westlake. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, Alejandro was non-verbal until the age of 7. This journey has been marked by many challenges, both emotionally and financially, for him and his family. Despite these obstacles, Alejandro has grown into an amazing young man who is nearly independent and currently employed at Home Depot.
“We are incredibly proud of Alejandro and others like him, who show immense strength and perseverance,” said Ilana Solomon, Palm Beach County vocational coordinator at Ken’s Krew. “Our mission is to provide the necessary resources and support to help individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities succeed in their careers and lives.”
Denise Negron and Felix Hernandez, Alejandro’s parents, are spearheading a new fundraising effort to support the expansion of Ken’s Krew. “We are deeply grateful for the support received from Ken’s Krew and Home Depot,” they said. “This is a critical opportunity to provide hope and resources to a community with limited options. By joining forces, we aim to raise the necessary funds to help Ken’s Krew expand its services and reach more individuals in need.”
The fundraising campaign invites community members to join the Florida Team and to contribute to this vital cause by visiting https://givebutter.com/GreatStateChallenge/florida-fundraisers/denisenegronhernandez. Every donation helps Ken’s Krew continue its mission and support individuals like Alejandro in achieving their career goals.
Ken’s Krew was founded in 1997 by a group of parents concerned about the employment challenges their children with neurodevelopmental disabilities would face. Their search for solutions led them to Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone, who offered job opportunities at Home Depot in Philadelphia, inspiring the launch of the pilot program, Ken’s Kids, which provided assessment, training and support to ensure job placement success.
With financial backing from Langone and other donors, full-time vocational coordinators were hired to guide participants through their employment journey. Over the past 26 years, Ken’s Krew has helped more than 900 individuals transition from students to productive employees, supported by their families, coaches and workplace teams. Today, the program operates in 10 states and more than 186 Home Depot stores, with continued expansion through new employment partners. For more information, visit www.kenskrew.org or call (212) 290-8999.
