Joe Winters Classic golf outing a smashing success

The Winters Center for Autism hosted the annual Joe Winters Classic on Monday, June 16 at the prestigious Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, bringing together more than 100 community and business leaders across the region.

The annual golf outing honors late visionary Joe Winters, founder of The Winters Center for Autism, an affiliate of the Winters Family Foundation, after his son Sean was diagnosed with autism in 1998. The organization provides job training and career placement services to young men and women on the autism spectrum.

The outing also provided an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the adults who have graduated the program, along with the businesses who partner with the center to provide placement opportunities.

“In less than three years, the Winters Center for Autism engaged nearly 60 employer partners who have hired young adults with autism in their businesses,” said Christine Ponzio, executive director of the nonprofit. “Our mission is made possible by these partnerships, as real-world experience is the ultimate goal for our participants. We are so grateful to our partners who joined us for the Joe Winters Classic and all of those who provide opportunities to our participants throughout the year.”

Program participants spend time in various simulated settings at the center as their skills and preferences are observed by the staff. Eventually, they are matched with an employer partner where they have the best chance to succeed.

Since opening its doors in July 2022, more than 160 young adults have received job training and employment through the center. To learn more about the Winters Center for Autism, visit www.winterscenterforautism.com.