We are proud to announce that Community Job Coach Brandi Frederick is the recipient of the 2026 NJACP Heroes Award!
For the past sixteen years, Brandi has dedicated herself to supporting individuals with autism in achieving meaningful employment, greater independence, and success within their communities.
Brandi takes time to truly get to know each participant she supports. Brandi learns each individual’s strengths, challenges, communication style, and personality and uses that knowledge to provide support that is meaningful to them.
Brandi consistently looks beyond the immediate task and finds opportunities for incidental teaching throughout the workday. She recognizes that everyday moments, such as navigating a social interaction, can become valuable learning opportunities. Her goal is not simply for participants to complete their work, but to help them develop skills that will benefit them both on the job and in their daily lives.
For twelve years, Brandi has supported two Eden participants employed at Wawa. During their shifts, Brandi supports the participants as they stock the coolers, rotate inventory to ensure items are used by the expiration date, collect trash throughout the store and parking lot, and break down boxes.
While these tasks may seem routine, Brandi sees each one as an opportunity to teach. She works alongside the participants while encouraging them to complete each responsibility as independently as possible, stepping in with guidance when needed. She uses these everyday job duties to reinforce skills such as following directions, staying on task, organization, problem-solving, and taking pride in a job well done.
Brandi also brings energy and warmth that is unmistakably her own. She is genuinely happy to see the people around her and greets participants and coworkers with a warm smile, an enthusiastic “hi!” or “good morning!” and, when welcomed, one of her signature big hugs. Her compassion and enthusiasm are felt by those around her.
Brandi is energetic, compassionate, and caring, but most importantly, she demonstrates these qualities through her actions every day. After sixteen years of service, her commitment to the individuals she supports remains evident in the relationships she has built and the opportunities she creates for others to grow.