Brodie is an innovative and creative 20-year-old from rural Christchurch who has autism and anxiety.
He attends special needs school three days a week and the YMCA 4C Centre once a week. The 4C Centre has a range of physical and digital tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, computers as well as a recording studio set up for video, music, podcasting and streaming.
When at home and in the school holidays, Brodie spends time doing projects as his days at school decrease while he transitions into work/adult life. With no success in finding work placements, Brodie has decided to build up his own business – creating products to sell online at markets and to his friends.
Brodie has a tunnel house and is growing seedlings but has also shown huge interest and ability in CAD design. He has been making things on a 3D printer and a laser cutter while at the 4C Centre and the staff have been amazed at how quickly Brodie has learnt the software.
One of the team members puts aside an hour a week to tutor him which is a great opportunity. However, Brodie can only cope with short sessions at the computer. This can be frustrating when he wants to complete a product but has to wait a week to return and finish it.
Brodie successfully applied to Fund For Good for a laser cutter to use at home, enabling him to take orders and make creative things to sell alongside his seedlings at local markets – he has some great ideas! He shows self-direction when doing something he is interested in, such as CAD. He learns a lot from watching YouTube tutorials – and will continue his weekly visit to the 4C Centre.
Having his own laser cutter will mean that Brodie can choose what he wants to make at his own pace, generate an income of his own, grow his knowledge of CAD into a career and importantly – grow his self-esteem as he takes ownership of his projects. We think he is super innovative and creative!
A big congratulations to Brodie, one of our successful Fund for Good recipients. Fund for Good is an innovation program helping to fund special projects and dreams of Manawanui customers which can’t be funded elsewhere. We are so pleased to be able to help Brodie gain independence and transition his passion into a career. Ka pai Brodie – we can’t wait to see what you achieve.