Fort Wayne, Ind. — The Don Wood Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to Easterseals Northeast Indiana to support STEM-related activities to engage youth with autism ages 6 to 13. The activities will be a significant part of a new social club, Social Circuit, designed for children in this age group. The club, which begins in January, will meet in a new makerspace that fosters social skills and emphasizes hands-on projects, teamwork, and career exploration.
“We are grateful to the Don Wood Foundation for helping young people explore skills that will help them succeed in future education and employment,” said Donna K. Elbrecht, CEO of Easterseals Northeast Indiana. “This social club will give children with autism opportunities to learn and make friends in a welcoming, supportive environment.”
Activities such as building a simple robot, designing a small business idea, or coding a basic game together will strengthen real-world skills like taking turns, collaborating, self-advocacy and leadership. The Don Wood Foundation grant will help fund supplies, operations, and staff training for Social Circuit.
“We applaud nurturing students’ interests in technology and engineering concepts through the various tools found in the makerspace at Easterseals,” said Laura Macknick, president & CEO, Don Wood Foundation. “Developing soft skills builds confidence to work together effectively and gives students more opportunities to discover an interest, including a love of learning.”
The Social Circuit is a supportive, hands-on social skills program designed for youths with autism who want to build friendships, practice communication and develop confidence in a structured and engaging environment featuring interactive STEM activities.
The newly established makerspace at Easterseals Northeast Indiana, 4919 Coldwater Road, in Fort Wayne, offers diverse creative outlets, including art stations, 3D printing, podcasting equipment, robotics, and laser engraving. Custom-designed furniture and sensory-friendly equipment enhance the environment.
Participants in the Social Circuit will develop skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving through team-based projects that emphasize collaboration, creativity, and positive peer interaction.
The goal is to serve 24 children during the grant funding period, which ends in November 2026. The club is free for anyone to attend; participants do not need to be enrolled in Easterseals services.
Families seeking more information about the Social Circuit may contact Alex Martin at alex.martin@eastersealsnei.org or 260.456.4534 ext. 2724.
About the Don Wood Foundation
The Don Wood Foundation is a private foundation established in 2018 by Don Wood, founder of 80/20, Inc., that serves and supports leadership development, an entrepreneurial mindset, and future-ready workers with the potential to create and sustain opportunities in advanced manufacturing. The Foundation provides investments to grant partners from nonprofits and educational institutions, in addition to offering guidance through community research and intentional convenings. This guidance fosters a diverse workforce through exposure, education, training, and the development of strong communities that advance the manufacturing sector. Please visit donwoodfoundation.org for more information about the Don Wood Foundation’s programs and initiatives.