Founding Trustee and Vice President of the Board, Jim is a dedicated volunteer and leader

Jim Scancarella is the Vice President of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Board of Trustees. John Goldfarb, our blog editor had the opportunity to talk with Jim recently.  

John: How did you become a founding Board of Trustees member and Vice President of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation?

Jim: My son Jimmy and Danny were at the Forum School in New Jersey together and our families met over 18 years ago. When The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation was established over a dozen years ago, Linda (Linda J. Walder , Founder of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation) asked me to serve on the Board of Trustees. I wanted to give back something to all these beautiful kids and young adults and believed in Linda’s pioneering focus on adults living with Autism. At the time, we were the only organization in the United States to have a specific mission focused on adults.

John: What do you do as Vice President of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation?

Jim: I typically lead fundraising efforts, I attend meetings, assist with going to look at various projects that we’re considering collaborations with, and whatever else is requested of me.

John: How does the Board of Trustees decide on projects The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation will develop and support?

Jim: There are constantly new and ongoing projects that Linda spearheads. Then these are reviewed by our Board of Trustees. Our mission and vision of developing, advocating for and funding projects to benefit adults on the spectrum is based on the social entrepreneurial spirit of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and founded in our goal to open as many doors as possible for all adults living with Autism. We have always remained focused on our mission and all we do reflects this.

John: What is your personal connection to Autism?

Jim: My son Jimmy, who is 22 is Autistic, he is on the autistic spectrum.

John: How has your family dealt with Autism?

Jim: We’re very fortunate that Jimmy is an easy-going kid and we’ve been able to deal with any issues that have arisen. We’ve just been able to adjust to our situation, that has been an easier situation than what other families experience.

John: What advice would you give anyone who has to cope with the challenges of a loved one who lives with Autism?

Jim: Just hang in there. There are difficult times and rewarding times and many things in between, but try to take them in stride.

John: Since you joined this Foundation, what is it like to create opportunities for adults who live with Autism?

Jim: We don’t really get to meet a lot of the individuals our endeavors benefit directly, however, it just makes us all feel good knowing that because of our efforts their lives are changed and expanded with new opportunities. It gives us great pride to know that the resources we have developed or programs relating to residential, employment or recreation have created opportunities that never existed before for adults living with Autism. I look forward to our next great initiatives that are on the drawing board now as they will create enduring collaborations that will benefit adults in the next decades.

John: What do you think the future holds for people living with Autism?

Jim: I think it’s good, I think there’s a lot of focus on the issues obviously, and that can only bring good things looking forward.

John: How has this Foundation changed lives?

Jim: The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation has been in existence for over 12 years, and we were the first organization in the United States to focus on adults. I believe our efforts started what is now a national focus on the growing population of adults living on the spectrum, and I am proud to be a part of the strides that have been made to create the best lives possible for all people living with Autism. Our residential, recreational, transition and employment programs have opened so many opportunities around the country and we will continue to break new ground in the years ahead.