How many steps are there in the car washing process? If you ask employees at Rising Tide Car Wash locations at Margate or Parkland, it’s 46.
In its mission to employ adults with autism, Rising Tide’s process is broken down into 46 steps. Employees work in a mirror image of each other and are able to thrive off the repetitive structure to produce extraordinary results.
CEO John D’Eri and his son, Thomas, the COO, were inspired to open Rising Tide in 2013 after watching Thomas’ brother Andrew (pictured above), who has autism, struggle to find a place in the world. Today, Rising Tide Car Wash is one of the largest employers of people with autism in the U.S. and brings awareness about the importance of employing individuals on the autism spectrum, and their capability to participate in and contribute to the community.
Now, Rising Tide is expanding its trademark inclusivity with a new location. The city of Coral Springs approved the development of a new location at 10340 Royal Palm Blvd., which will bring 25 jobs to the city.
“The support that the City of Coral Springs Commission, Economic Development team and Building Development team have shown for us to build this new location showcases that Coral Springs is an inclusive community,” says John D’Eri, CEO of Rising Tide Car Wash. “This third Rising Tide location is an incredible step forward for Broward County, as it puts it in the national spotlight as the No. 1 self-supported employment ethos for adults on the autism spectrum.
He adds, “Currently, unemployment among people with autism is approximately 85 percent, and at least 500,000 more individuals with autism will enter the workforce in the next decade,” he continued. “Rising Tide and the City of Coral Springs are changing the root cause of this unemployment: Society views autism as a disability, as opposed to a diversity.”
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2021 with the location open in late 2021 or early 2022.
Featured photo by Sonju Photography
