Rachelle Vartanian: From Special Education Teacher to CommunityLeader

Tony Mantor: Why Not Me the World

Tony Mantor

Alternative Health, Health And Wellness, Health, Neurodivergent, Never Give Up, Health & Fitness, Entertainment, Mental Health, Autism Acceptance, Autism, Autism Awareness, Celebrities, Special Needs, Positivity

5 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 23 July 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this inspiring episode, the founder of a nonprofit organization shares her journey of creating a supportive community for adults with special needs. Starting with a single program, the organization now offers over 30 different programs, serving individuals from 87 cities across nine counties. The founder, leveraging her experience as a special education teacher, developed a variety of vocational and social programs to foster independence and community. Discover the challenges, triumphs, and the heartfelt mission behind this impactful organization.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Why Not Me, embracing autism and mental health worldwide, hosted by Tony Mantor.
0:14.0	Broadcasting from the heart of Music City, USA, Nashville, Tennessee.
0:20.0	Join us as our guests share their raw, howful stories.
0:25.4	Some will spark laughter.
0:27.4	Others will move you to tears.
0:30.4	These real-life journeys inspire, connect, and remind you that you're never alone.
0:40.9	We're igniting a global movement to empower everyone to make a lasting difference by fostering deep awareness, unwavering acceptance,
0:48.5	and profound understanding of autism and mental health. Tune in, be inspired, and join us in transforming the world one story at a time.
1:03.1	Hi, I'm Tony Mantor.
1:05.1	Welcome to Why Not Me, embracing autism and mental health worldwide.
1:10.4	Joining us today is Rochelle Vartagnan.
1:13.8	She is a visionary founder and president
1:16.3	of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center,
1:19.3	a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering teens and adults
1:23.8	with autism and other developmental disabilities.
1:31.1	Inspired by her son's autism diagnosis and the lack of social and vocational opportunities available to him, she founded the center in
1:37.2	2015 to provide innovative programs that foster independence, social skills, and meaningful employment. Under her leadership,
1:47.2	the organization has grown from a small library meeting room to a 12-acre campus, offering over 30
1:54.0	programs and impacting hundreds of lives across Michigan. She's a respected advocate and a beacon of hope for families navigating
2:02.9	neurodiversity. It's a pleasure to have her on. So before we dive into our episode, we'll be back
2:08.9	with an uninterrupted show right after a word from our sponsors. Thanks for coming on.
2:15.2	Oh, thank you. Oh, it's my pleasure. So if you would, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
	...

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