Who we are
Voice for Autism was founded by a group of concerned parents and professionals united in the belief that we have to secure basic human rights and give a voice to young adults with autism. We are anchored by the conviction that every individual is entitled to the supports and structure necessary to maximize their potential and live an independent and enriched life.
Our Mission
Our Successes
In only two years:
- We set up two group homes in Nicosia providing supported living services for people with autism to live independently and reach their fullest potential. The homes are run by professional, caring staff and offer life skills and recreational activities. Our residents are living their best lives.
- We provide employment opportunities for our residents and matching individual interests and skills to jobs. The focus is inclusion, productivity and self-worth.
- We lobbied government for an autism agenda and a 5-year Autism Plan was announced in April 2024. Voice for Autism is on the taskforce and we advocate for support for all people with autism at all stages of their lives.
- We are creating a social enterprise where our community are shareholders in a café where they will be working. This is a pioneering initiative and will be a model for other such projects in Cyprus.
- Our advocacy continues for inclusive communities and strategic initiatives to transform the national landscape for young adults with disabilities.
*Inclusion *Empowerment *Opportunity *Community
Our Team
President
Ellen Georgiou Pontikis
Ellen is a founding member of Voice for Autism. She is a Journalist, Author and Activist and has worked with the BBC, CNN and The Cyprus Weekly. Her son lived in a group home in California and she has first-hand experience in how a successful group home and work programs can operate. She has extensive NGO experience working with MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity), the largest anti-poverty organisation in California, and The Adult Skills Center serving young adults with disabilities in Los Angeles.
Vice President
Eugenia Bartela Mina
Eugenia is a founding member of Voice for Autism and a parent of a son with autism. She holds a MSc from the USA in Speech Language Pathology and has worked in schools as a Speech Language Pathologist for 30 years. During this time she worked closely with Social Services and The Ministry of Education & Culture to increase autism awareness and has trained teachers on working with the autism. She is also a founding member of MAZI (support group for friends and relatives of people with autism).
General Secretary
Marina Kilili
Marina is the mother of twins, one of whom is a young adult on the autism spectrum. She has been an educator for over 20 years and holds a BSc and MSc from the USA in Engineering. She has participated in seminars and conferences on autism and is committed to advocating for the rights and quality of life of young adults with autism. She is helping develop the training program for our social enterprise, a café owned and run by our community.
Head of Operations
Alexandros Karpis
Alex Karpis is a young entrepreneur, talented chef and musician. He has experience in working with people with disabilities in the hospitality industry in the USA and is heading the Voice for Autism Social Enterprise that will create an inclusive café in the community employing people with autism. He is developing a training program for individuals who need support in the workplace. Alex is one of the founders of the Voice for Autism Band and hosts a weekly music session at the Group Homes.
Treasurer
Noeleen Advani
Noeleen is a researcher, practitioner and activist with 10 years professional experience in global public health and social change. She supports improved policy and programme design, data management, analysis, and evaluation for 125 organisations working on child protection in 104 countries. She has worked and volunteered with civil society organisations in Africa, Asia, the US, and Europe, including supporting adults with learning disabilities to live independently through The Nesbitt Centre.