Applicants can now apply for the Autism Can Do Scholarship for 2022. Co-sponsored by John’s Crazy Socks and the Doug Flutie. Jr Foundation for Autism the program provides a $5,000 grant to a person on the autism spectrum to use to advance his or her education. Applications are due by March 25. The winner will be announced in April 2022.
John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks and a young man with Down Syndrome, says, “We have a mission to show what people with differing abilities can do when given a chance. We created this scholarship to support people with autism.”
Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Flutie Foundation, said, “We are excited to co-sponsor this scholarship. We know what people with autism can achieve and we want to help others to reach their fullest potential.”
Applicants must be on the autism spectrum and live in the United States or Canada. They application consists of three parts:
- A simple application form
- A brief personal statement
- Submission of a sock design
Yes, applicants submit a sock design. No, you need not be a graphic artist to submit a design. In fact, none of the first three scholarship winners were graphic artists. We ask that you show us your imagination in creating a sock design. The application can be found at the John’s Crazy Socks website.
John’s Crazy Socks is a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. Every day, we work to demonstrate what people with differing abilities can accomplish. More than half of our colleagues have a differing ability and many are on the autism spectrum.
“We see our colleagues on the autism spectrum perform extraordinary work every day,” says John’s co-founder and father, Mark X. Cronin. “We sponsor this scholarship to celebrate the achievements of people with autism.”
Past winners include:
- 2019: Garrett Nichols, 19, of Clinton, Arkansas who used the scholarship to attend the Joey Travolta Film School.
- 2020: Brandon Cheng of Wilmington, Massachusetts who used the scholarship to pay tuition at Assumption College.
- 2021: Isabella Blake of Irvine, California who used the scholarship to pay tuition at Irvine Valley College.
Quick Facts about the Autism Can Do Scholarship
The deadline for submission is March 25, 2022. Applicants must complete a brief form, submit a brief personal statement and design a pair of socks. The application can be found at the scholarship page at the John’s Crazy Socks website. The winner will be announced by the end of April 2022.
Doug Flutie. Jr Foundation for Autism
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism has a mission to help people and families affected by autism live life to the fullest. The Foundation wants to create a world where people with autism lead productive lives where they are included, respected, and actively engaged in their communities.
Flutie Foundation programs and activities improve the quality of everyday life for people and families affected by autism along seven key dimensions that are critical to living each day fully. They aim to provide a path for education and/or employment during the day; opportunities for physical and social activity outside of work/school; and the tools to be safe, supported, and informed at all times.
To learn more about the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism please visit their website www.flutiefoundation.org.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. They do this by offering socks people can love that allows an expression of one’s true self. More than half their employees have a differing ability, their Giving Back program has raised over $475,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
