Meet Gilda Evans

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gilda Evans. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gilda below.

Gilda, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My biggest role model has always been my father. As a survivor of the Holocaust, life taught him at an early age the importance of perseverance and determination. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and unspeakable hardship, he managed to find a way to make it through. And he did so with grace and courage. He lived his life in gratitude for each new day, and in reverence for the bonds of family. Always smiling, always positive, always warm and hopeful. There was a certain magic in the air when he entered the room. That’s how I remember him. If I am fortunate enough to be able to emulate even a small percentage of the wonderful energy he shared with others, then I am truly blessed!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Right now, my focus is on the launch of the nonprofit I founded – the Autism Resource Project. Its mission is to create a comprehensive, global resource for the neurodiverse and disabled communities. This resource provides a fully accessible, broad spectrum of information, supports and services that helps individuals and families build a roadmap to live their best lives.

There has been no single direct path to the voluminous amount of information available to this population and those who support them, and no existing entity that brings together the scattered and confusing myriad of available supports and services into one easily accessed central resource… Until now.

ARP’s unique approach will serve a broad spectrum of needs by delivering our existing podcast, and by creating local, nationwide, and global community networks, and enabling a new kind of social support mechanism. It will also share a calendar of events happening all over the world, a comprehensive library of information and resources, and a marketplace delivering a wide range of goods and services to the neurodiverse and disabled communities in one convenient place.

I am incredibly excited about the creation of this global, 24/7 resource for this community. I also have to say that it could not happen without the support and efforts of the amazing people that serve on the Board of Directors. Outstanding among those individuals are Debbie Carlitz and Christopher Cope, with strong support by Patrick Rood, Chris Monaco, Chris Latham, Jack Darakjian, and Rian Denich. Our Advisory Board and interns/volunteers round out the circle of support that helps to make this project a reality.

You can find the podcast at www.autismresourcepodcast.com.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Follow your heart. Energy and passion are contagious. If you devote yourself to something that sparks your passion, that moves you in a positive way and drives you to be better and do better, then others will feel it and see it. And they will be inspired to join you on your journey if you invite them to! 2. Persistence pays off. It’s so easy to get frustrated and give up after getting that first no. Don’t. Remember, every no is one no closer to that yes. Keep going and keep your belief in that special dream of yours strong. Your gut will seldom mislead you.
3. Think outside the box – in fact, take the box away entirely! Use your creative energy to explore and invent options that might not have originally been there or that go beyond what might be considered standard or typical. So many wonderful things in this world began as a seed of an idea in someone’s imagination. Use yours!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

We are always looking for those who wish to give back by supporting ARP with their time and other resources. If our mission speaks to you, we would love to have you join us as a volunteer, or if you feel you can contribute on other levels we are looking to add to our Advisory Board as well. We welcome those with medical, legal, marketing or financial credentials.

Additionally, and just as importantly, donations of any size are welcome. We can’t make this happen without the generosity of those who want to help.

If you are interested, please reach out at autismresourceproject@gmail.com for more information, and indicate Advisory Board, Volunteer or Donation in the subject heading. Thank you!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photos by Lynn Levitt and Amie Kelbing, Logo by Agency 689

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