Rising Tide Car Wash Kicks Off 2014 Being Selected to Speak at Acclaimed Events that are Making a Difference

PARKLAND, Fla., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising Tide Car Wash, a groundbreaking social enterprise in Parkland, Fla. with the primary mission to employ adults with autism, is kicking off 2014 by being selected to speak at two significant events that are making an impact. These include the Jan. 27-29 Autism Speaks/Extraordinary Ventures conference/initiative Advancing the Role and Impact of Small Businesses in Employing Adults with Autism in Chapel Hill, N.C., and the Feb. 7 TEDx Coconut Grove at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Fla.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140123/PH51519 )

Rising Tide Co-Founder/President John D'Eri and Co-Founder/COO Thomas D'Eri have been chosen by Autism Speaks to participate in Extraordinary Ventures' revolutionary conference, bringing together small businesses opening employment doors to young adults with autism. Rising Tide is one of only 14 small businesses across the country invited to participate in the conference.

The conference reflects the national initiative Advancing the Role and Impact of Small Businesses in Employing Adults with Autism, spearheaded by Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, and the non-profit organization Extraordinary Ventures. It will allow approximately 120 prospective investors, business partners, families and friends in the autism community, and leaders in the autism professional and academic field, to meet the small business owners and learn first-hand how their businesses were conceived, planned, developed and sustained. They will also learn how the business strategies can be replicated in other communities.  

"We are honored to welcome Rising Tide to this important gathering of leaders/pioneers to discuss the critical development of employment for adults on the autism spectrum," said Gregg Ireland, co-founder of Extraordinary Ventures. "Together, we can open employment doors for individuals with autism – one entrepreneur, one person, one group, and one community at a time, employing small business, grassroots and entrepreneurial principals." 

Rising Tide was selected to participate in the initiative during Autism Speaks' 2013 national investigation, during which Autism Speaks representatives learned about different small businesses across the nation that were either started by people with autism, or have as part of their mission the goal of hiring people with ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

The D'Eris, along with representatives of the 13 other leading innovative businesses, will give presentations on their business model, be panelists for topics including "Challenges of Starting a Business" and "Best Practices for Managing a Workforce on the Spectrum," have opportunities to meet during small breakout sessions, and network.

At the Feb. 7 TEDx Coconut Grove, Thomas D'Eri will tell the story of Rising Tide and how it's helping people with autism connect with their communities, while inviting those communities to see how capable people with autism can really be. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that engage the community in a discussion of ideas, to expand perspectives and make a philanthropic impact.

"Being selected to speak at these events are incredible opportunities to make a difference, inspiring communities to redefine their perception of the capabilities that people with autism have," said John D'Eri.   

With 30+ employees, Rising Tide is one of the largest employers of people with autism in the U.S. Through intensive training, team building and caring for the community, Rising Tide sets its employees up for success. With this model, Rising Tide has a goal to provide people with autism with an opportunity to build a career and achieve an independent lifestyle.

Currently, unemployment among people with autism is approximately 90 percent, and at least 500,000 more individuals with autism will enter the workforce in the next decade.

About Rising Tide Car Wash

Rising Tide Car Wash is a scalable social enterprise with the primary mission to employ adults with autism. By delivering a first-rate car wash experience to the consumer, Rising Tide strives to inspire communities to change their perception of the capabilities of people with autism. Through intensive training, team building and caring for the community, Rising Tide sets its employees up for success. With this model, Rising Tide has a goal to provide people with autism with an opportunity to build a career and achieve an independent lifestyle. Rising Tide aims to be Broward County's first B Corporation (the gold standard in verifying that a company is truly a social enterprise) and the fourth in the state of Florida. Rising Tide Car Wash is located at 7201 N. State Rd 7, Parkland, FL 33067. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, visit www.risingtidecarwash.com, call (954) 344-1855 or email [email protected].

About Extraordinary Ventures, Inc.

Extraordinary Ventures (EV) was named the 2012 Nonprofit of the Year by the Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. EV was founded in 2007 with the mission of providing employment for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization operates a variety of small businesses to fulfill its mission, including the Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures, EV Gifts, EV Laundry and EV Office Solutions. For more information, visit www.extraordinaryventures.org.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About TEDx Coconut Grove

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with many initiatives. For more information, visit www.tedxcoconutgrove.org.

Media Contacts:
Duree Ross, Duree & Company, Inc.
954-723-9350 / Email

Jennifer Martinez, Duree & Company, Inc.
561-301-4998 / Email

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