VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — How do those with autism find a paying job?

During Autism Acceptance Month, 10 On Your Side wanted to address a big need for those with autism.

The FACT HERO Program in Virginia Beach hopes to offer a solution to those with autism trying to find a job. HERO stands for Helping Employees Reach Outcomes.

FACT is a non-profit also known as Families of Autism Coming Together. The goal of the HERO program is to create jobs at FACT’s Autism Resource Center for those with autism.

Wyatt Gibson, who has been going to FACT since he was 6-years-old, said that just 16 years later, he has a paying job there.

“I like cleaning the floors, and I like answering phones. I like getting coffee and doing everything,” said Wyatt.

Wyatt said he is happy that he has been given a number of responsibilities. While WAVY 10 spoke with Wyatt, he welcomed a delivery driver who was at FACT’s door. He accepted a package and put it behind his work desk to hand it off later.

Wyatt is actually the first to be hired as part of FACT’s HERO program. While this 22-year-old is excited about his new job, it also means the world to his father.

“As a parent of someone with a child with special needs when he was a baby, when he was a child, they always said he wouldn’t have a job, would never have a job, never live on his own, never drive, you know? He would just probably end up in a home or something,” said Wyatt’s dad, Mark Gibson.

FACT CEO Tyler Williamson told WAVY 10 the unemployment rate is very high for people with autism.

“We now have this nice, beautiful new facility,” Williamson said, “and we had some need for people to come up and work at reception and help guide people, answering phones, getting those job experiences. So, we thought what better way to utilize that and then to promote first-time jobs or maybe second. It doesn’t have to be their first time job, but it can be. I mean, that’s the hardest part, right?

“The hardest part about getting into the workforce is getting that first job and getting that training. So, we want to be able to provide that opportunity so that they can learn in a supported environment. We have eight different organizations in the building. So they’re helping all the families find access to their resources, and getting to be that smiling face at the front that greets them and is the first thing that they see when they come into the building, and it’s an Autism Resource Center. I mean, that first friendly face should be the face of someone with autism and someone who wants to learn the skills.”

The pilot year of the HERO program was funding by a Blocker Foundation Grant, and FACT is looking for multiple HEROs to work reception at its new Autism Resource Center.

As part of the grant, all FACT HEROs must be people “with a documented diagnosis of autism and who have a job coach through Eggleston. Applicants’ diagnoses are requested solely in connection with grant based obligations and will be kept confidential in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”

Meanwhile, Mark Gibson is so thankful FACT created this opportunity for his son and others just like him.

“This is the perfect opportunity,” Gibson said. “This is the the ultimate. This is the dream job, and it’s clear he loves it so much.”

Wyatt is thriving, happy, and getting a paycheck thanks to this pilot year of the HERO program. Those hired will work reception at FACT’s new Autism Resource Center, and Wyatt can’t wait to mee you.

“It’s a good time,” Wyatt said. “I like it so much. Thank you.”

To learn more about the FACT HERO Program, click here.