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​Rachelle Vartanian isn’t afraid to knock on big doors. The founder of The Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville, which provides services and programs for those on the autism spectrum and other related challenges, has been doing it for years.

 

Now, all her hard work – along with the dedication of staff, volunteers and supporters – is coming to fruition. 

 

One accomplishment is the MOD Market, which opened in September during Spectrumfest.

 

Located in downtown Northville at 150 Mary Alexander Court, the market serves as a place where Living and Learning clients can learn job skills, and also sell products they’ve produced, along with additional items.

 

Vartanian, whose son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 3, was concerned about many things, not the least of which is the 90 percent unemployment rate of adults who are living on the spectrum. 

 

“I kept thinking they’re not going be able to live independently if they’re not working, and none of them are working,” Vartanian said.

 

When the Living and Learning Center began in 2015, Vartanian at first helped her clients by driving them to job interviews, looking through job sites and taking them to Maybury Farm to learn work skills. Now, the Center offers programs which helps clients learn about professional development, social skills, art, music and more.

 

One popular program is the art classes. Tailored to clients ages 16 and up, it’s a way for those on the spectrum and others who have ADHD or social/anxiety issues to come together and explore the world creatively.

 

That’s where the idea for the MOD Market came in. Currently, the space has room for 40 artists’ works, half of whom are on the spectrum. 

 

Logan Gorczyca is one of these artists. He joined LLEC last July, and mentioned to Vartanian that he enjoyed art as a hobby. She invited him to become a part of the market, and the rest is history. It’s been a great experience for him so far.

 

“I feel great, because everyone there is so nice, and accepting of my art,” Gorczyca said. “I feel famous.”

 

Gorczyca’s work has become so popular that his pieces are often sold before they make it to the market. After the holidays, he plans to start taking custom orders. 

 

One of his next projects is a portrait of the Massey Estate, which will soon be the new home of The Living and Learning Center.   

 

This is another huge accomplishment that has taken a lot of hard work, persistence and dedication. In keeping with her overall goal of teaching those on the spectrum to be independent and successful, Vartanian has had her eye on the estate for years.

 

She always knew the 14-acre property would be the perfect place to house all the aspects of The Living and Learning Center, including all their current programs and activities, along with housing, farming, various businesses and more.

 

“This is like the holy grail,” she said. 

 

She goes on to say that because 90 percent of her clients don’t drive, the location of the estate makes it easy for them to walk or ride their bikes to town or work. It’s proximity to local stores and city amenities will also provide a feeling of independence that will go a long way toward helping her clients succeed in life.

 

It’s been a long road, but there’s still much to do, as Vartanian has big plans for what kind of businesses and farming will be done on the land once the deal happens. Plans include a lavender garden; a butterfly sanctuary; a recycling center; and a bee farm for making homemade honey and wax candles. 

 

One discussion has been to build dorms for students – many of which are going into fields like social work and teaching. Vartanian will move into the existing guesthouse, and live there for the first year while things get rolling. 

 

And we can’t forget the alpaca farm, which will be on the northeast part of the estate. Vartanian’s hope is to use their fiber for blankets, creating meaningful jobs for her people. 

 

She also wants to host weekend camps, as many autistic adults who have autism, Vartanian’s son included, have never before been away from home for that long. 

 

But nothing else can happen until they reach their ultimate goal of raising $3.5 million. 

 

After partnering with businesses such as Masco Corporation and Building Bridges, they are halfway to their goal, but they need help from corporations and the community to raise the rest.

 

They plan to close on the Massey Estate December 30, 2019. 

 

“This is something that will really change people’s lives,” Vartanian said. “It doesn’t exist anywhere else. And for people like me, for the parents who have young adults that come here, what keeps us up at night is the question, ‘What’s going to happen when I die?’ This solves that, and I really want to encourage people to help us make it happen.”

 

Vartanian also wants everyone in the community to know how grateful she and her team are for the support they’ve received so far.

 

“The city of Northville has been amazing,” Vartanian said. “There has not been one business that has said ‘No, we don’t want to work with you.’ Everyone has opened their doors and said, ‘We’ll help you any way we can.’’

 

If you’re interested in helping The Living and Learning Center reach its goal of bringing independence to those living on the spectrum, please contact them at (248) 308-3592. You can also donate online at www.livingandlearningcenter.org/support-us/donate/donate-online/.