CLEVELAND — Faith Wallis has autism and has been attending Saw, Inc. for the last four years.

“I’m autistic, but I’m proud of it,” she said.

The organization provides recreation and job training for adults with developing disabilities so that they can find competitive employment in the community.

Individuals work and earn money at the center. They perform a variety of jobs from making plane parts to making samples for Frog Tape.

“We make with it so painters can actually get a good finish,” she said, as she demonstrates some of the samples she makes.

Wallis is a big fan of the individuals that attend the center.

“All the nice people you see here are the cleaners of the afternoon group," she said after encountering a group in the hall. "They’re hard, wonderful workers. You can’t get any better ones than them.”

Laura Cooper, COO of Saw, Inc., said the goal of the organization is to help individuals and support them becoming more independent in their community.

"We just help give them all those supports so that outside of this agency they can reach their goals," Cooper said.

The center teaches employment skills like staying on task and receiving feedback.

Cooper said her job is more than just paperwork to her.

“Honestly, I can’t believe they pay me to do it," she said. "It’s a lot of fun. It's very rewarding to see somebody achieve what they want to."

The organization is hoping to join with more partners to help them achieve their goal of finding employment for the individuals.

Wallis appreciates how she’s treated at the center.

"We're being treated with respect... I want that for everybody,” Wallis said.

Wallis said places like these are essential.

“Social interaction for people with developmental disabilities is very important," Wallis said. "Even if you're staying at home and you have no one to talk to, do you know how boring that is? Do you know how depressing that is?”