Pepsi Refresh and The Larger Difference

It sometimes takes small steps in order to make a larger difference in the world. Small events, such as a stone falling into water, can create larger reactions that ripple outward to have a larger effect, either in the community, or even the entire world. Thus, we are never able to completely disregard even the smallest action.

In this case, I think that this is a recognizable starting point for a greater change. What am I talking about? Well, Pepsi Co is engaged in a wide-scale promotional campaign called Pepsi Refresh Project, that is this humongous contest to do two things: one, to brainstorm ideas to aid the Gulf Coast oil spill, and two, to provide various grants to the top ten voted individual, businesses and non-profit organizations, per category.

Among the contenders this month, the Autism Women's Network takes its first greater steps towards making a larger impact and being recognized as a non-profit organization. As part of its mission to provide support to previously under served autistic females, AWN is competing with 1234 other competitors for a $50,000 grant. With the grant, the AWN plans to run Project FAIM (Female Autistic Insight Mentoring) workshops, pay for legal fees to gain non-profit status, and pay for maintenance costs for the website and online supports.

Most of the grant will be to run Project FAIM, which includes costs for materials, transportation, and rent space. The workshops will be held in five locations across the US, and will focus on qualities that appear to be specific to autistic females. They will cover topics such as peer supports, relationships, vulnerabilities and successful communications, and will include active supports and information for autistics, parents and educators. At each location, renown autistic women will be on hand to provide insight and mentoring, making sure that each person will gain supports available.

This is one step towards a bigger change in how autistic females are supported and served in our communities and society. Recognized now as one of the most under supported population in the autism community, there needs to be a change in how we think about autism, especially in how it autism is understood and recognized. As part of its long-term goals, the Autism Women's Network seeks to make these changes, and so, in my opinion, this is a worthwhile cause to support.

So if you please, vote with me daily to get the AWN in the top ten of its category.

(Disclosure: Corina Becker serves on the board of the Autism Women's Network)