LifeWorks Transition Academy receives $100,000 for scholarships

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – LifeWorks Transition Academy received $100,000 Tuesday to help fund scholarships for young adults with autism.

Board chair of LifeWorks John Kelly says the center provides necessary skills for young adults on the autism spectrum to live independently and have a career.

Currently, LifeWorks at WKU is working to build its Bridge to Independence Scholarship Fund.

“What we want is to be able to develop a scholarship fund that over the years can get to a size that can support individuals in the community who may not have the financial resources to be able to support the tuition on their own,” Kelly said.

With a $100,000 donation from Jeff Fields, Cheetah Clean Auto Wash CEO and founder, those funds have begun to take shape.

“We came down here and visited with John Kelly and Molly Swietek and saw what they’re doing here, the incredible opportunity that they’re providing for people transitioning into taking care of themselves and getting jobs in the Bowling Green, Kentucky community, and we decided we felt compelled to get involved and donate,” Fields said.

Fields said their gift was also inspired in the car wash community by Rising Tide Car Wash, a business exclusively employing people with autism.

“One thing that’s very compelling about what’s going on here, LifeWorks, is what they’re doing for people that experience neurodiversity and the opportunity that it presents for people to transition and hopefully gain employment in the community,” Fields said. “I think it’s an invaluable tool that is being provided here.”