PBO ref 930090357 • Tax-Deductible Donations
The Strong and Able Neurodiverse Youth Programme
Neurodiverse youth in South Africa have long been sidelined, left economically invisible despite their immense capabilities. The Neurolivelihood Foundation was established by parents who refused to let systemic barriers define their children’s futures. Functioning as a vital socio-economic intervention rather than a medical one, we focus on empowering young adults through meaningful paths to independence. We represent a purposeful movement dedicated to fostering inclusion, creating ripples of change for a community that has been ignored for far too long. Our mission is to ensure every strong and able neurodiverse youth has an opportunity for more independent livelihood.
About The Neurolivelihood Foundation
High unemployment among neurodiverse youth stems from systemic neglect, not a lack of talent. The Neurolivelihood Foundation aims to bridge this gap by creating sustainable vocational pathways and supporting guardrails that foster greater independence for South African neurodiverse youth.
WHO WE ARE
A registered South African NPO (326-445) and PBO (ref 930090357), founded from lived experience of parents of neurodiverse children. We have designed a proprietary seven-pillar, holistic post-schooling 3-year scaffolding intervention to prepare neurodiverse youth aged 18–25 for meaningful and sustainable work opportunities and a more independent adulthood.
OUR MISSION
We bridge the divide, fostering inclusive workplaces and social environments where every neurodiverse youth is seen, heard, and valued. Our mission systemic advocacy to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to succeed on their own terms.
OUR APPROACH
Strengths-based, not deficit-focused. We leverage the unique abilities of each neurodiverse young person rather than focusing on limitations. Our programme is adapted to individual student's strengths identified with the support of the family and our medical experts partners.
Image for illustration purposes only.
Our Values
Strength-focused
Leveraging unique abilities, not fixing deficits. We cultivate environments where unique perspectives are integrated into sustainable economic value chains.
Empowerment
Equipping neurodiverse youth with life-long tools, skills, and confidence to lead more independent and self-determined lives.
Dignity Advocacy
By implementing practical solutions, we aim to drive systemic change, promoting strength-based approaches to neurodiverse disability in South African workplaces.
Integrity
Operating with transparency and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of the neurodiverse community we serve.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Meet the dedicated team guiding the establishment of the Neurolivelihood Foundation, driven by a vision of a more inclusive future for neurodiverse youth
Director: Programme Strategy
Dr Boni Mehlomakulu
Dr Boni Mehlomakulu is one the 3 Founding Directors of the Neurolivelihood Foundation. She is the visionary behind The Strong and Able Neurodiverse Youth Programme. She holds a PhD in Catalysis from the University of Cape Town and has held leadership positions across South Africa’s science, technology and standards landscape. Dr Mehlomakulu has served on boards of State Owned Companies, JSE- listed companies and South African subsidiaries of global companies.
A thought leader in clean energy and innovation, she brings governance, policy and industry experience to guiding the Neurolivelihood Foundation’s mission of creating sustainable socio-economic pathways to more independent livelihoods for neurodiverse youths.
Director: Operations
Mrs Ann Broadbent
Ann Broadbent integrates high-level corporate leadership with refined operational precision. Formerly a Branch Manager at Telkom Menlyn, she specializes in streamlining complex processes, managing client relations, and building high-performing teams to create a resilient foundation for our work.
As one of the 3 Founding Director, Ann utilizes her extensive professional background to develop the structured support systems central to our daily operations. She is deeply dedicated to providing neurodiverse young adults with the practical tools and frameworks necessary to thrive in professional environments and secure a future of sustainable independence.
Director: Governance
Mrs Allarice Prinsloo
Allarice Prinsloo is a Governance and Compliance Specialist at a prominent South African corporation, bringing deep expertise in regulatory integrity and board management. An admitted attorney with extensive experience in company secretarial roles, she directs organizational structures with ethical leadership and precision.
As one of the 3 Founding Directors of the Neurolivelihood Foundation, Allarice leverages her legal and corporate background to provide rigorous oversight. She offers the strategic direction and operational integrity necessary to build scalable, sustainable pathways for neurodiverse young adults. Her commitment ensures the organisation remains a transparent and high-impact platform for fostering independent livelihoods.
Operations Manager
Ms Sanele Garane
Sanele Garane is a seasoned operations and administration expert with nearly two decades of experience across the non-profit and legal sectors. Prior to joining the Neurolivelihood Foundation, she was the Operations Manager and Senior Administrator at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI). There, she directed comprehensive office management, HR support, governance, and financial administration, while overseeing procurement and donor reporting. Sanele has a proven history of establishing efficient systems and maintaining high standards of compliance and stakeholder engagement.
At the Neurolivelihood Foundation, Sanele manages daily operations to ensure the Strong and Able Neurodiverse Youth Programme is executed seamlessly, providing essential support to our participants and strategic partners.
Our Strong and Able Neurodiverse Youth Programme
Seven interconnected Pillars - spread over 3 years designed to scaffold neurodiverse youths into meaningful, sustainable more independent livelihoods
1
Further Education and Training
Autism specifically is a lifelong developmental condition that often severely impacts standard executive functioning. Because our target demographic would have exited formal schooling without any recognised qualification, the Foundation bridges this critical gap by providing structured adult education support platform tailored to the functional realities of severe developmental disabilities.
While all clinical decisions would remain exclusively between families and qualified health professionals, we aim to establish a resource centre that offers families practical support to navigate the complexities of medical treatment, symptom management, nutrition, and therapeutic care.
2
Coordinated Access to Medical Resources
3
Socialising and Emotional Regulation
Social learning spaces for supervised socialisation areas, group rooms, outdoor gathering spaces, where our youth practice nonverbal communication, conflict resolution, and the peer belonging that so many neurodiverse young people have never experienced. Social events will be specifically designed to foster connection and belonging among neurodiverse youth and their families.
Physical activity offers sensory regulation, motor skill development, and emotional wellbeing benefits that are critical to workplace readiness. Structured physical wellness activities will be delivered in partnership with gyms and sports organisations and are specifically adapted for neurodiverse individuals.
4
Optimised Physical Wellness
5
The Programme adopts a holistic approach to work readiness, ensuring that neurodiverse youth receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs.
Work Readiness Training and Support
6
Training in income generating projects for youth owned small enterprises development
Small income generating projects will be created for groups of youth according to their interests and capabilities in hydroponic farming, essential oils extraction and beneficiation, baking, cooking, data capturing and computer literacy.
7
Hands-on training in essential daily life management skills, including budgeting, meal preparation, personal hygiene, and time management. These skills are taught through simulated daily living scenarios, enabling participants to build confidence and competence for independent adulthood.
Independent Living Preparation
A THREE-YEAR PATH TO SUCCESS
Systemic Exclusion
South Africa’s educational landscape often fails the neurodiverse community, leaving young adults between 18 and 25 economically sidelined. Many of these able-bodies individuals, living with autism, ADHD, or dyslexia often exit formal schooling without attaining a Grade 9 qualifications required for vocational entry. This creates a cycle where their potential remains untapped due to a lack of accessible NQF-aligned vocational pathways.
The Neurolivelihood Foundation aims to intervene exactly where the system has created a permanent barrier by providing a structured three-year journey of micro-learning and progressive improvement.
While our advocacy is far-reaching, this specific multi-year program serves as a patient, continuous scaffolding process. It is dedicated to Strong and Able young adults who require consistent, empathetic support to master practical life and vocational skills, transforming their neurodiversity into a foundation for sustainable, independent adulthood.
1
Centred on building essential life skill benchmarks alongside families. We create custom developmental goals for every participant while launching literacy, numeracy, and targeted physical and mental wellbeing initiatives to ensure a solid start.
Year 1: Foundation
2
Year 2: Specialized Skills
Focus shifts to structured technical training and assistive tech. Participants engage in practical vocational tracks, including agriculture, office admin, and catering, while beginning intensive workplace simulations to build professional stamina and competence.
3
Year 3: Fulfillment
Validating growth through impact assessments and external certification. We facilitate workplace integration via internships and expert mentorship, alongside simulations of semi-independent living for long-term success.
Vocational Training
Our unique value proposition goes beyond the typical vocational training designed to equip neurodiverse youth with the skills and confidence needed for traditional work place integration; we aim to create neurodiverse friendly small enterprises that link to established economic value chains.
The Impact We Desire
Workplace Support
Where formal work opportunities are available. Our workplace support programme will bridge the
gap between our neurodiverse youth and prospective employers. Successful integration require adaptation from both the employer and the neurodiverse employee.
Supportive Community
Working with our youth and their families, we aim to empower our neurodiverse young adults to become engaged members of our community, becoming leaders and mentors to the next generation as a ripple effect of independence, self-advocacy, and professional growth.
Social Inclusion Pillars
Join Our Mission
We invite you to be part of our collective effort to empower neurodiverse youth. Whether through partnership, donation, volunteering to supervise social clubs, your support is the catalyst for independence and inclusion.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you. Please reach out with questions or thoughts about our mission
admin@neurolivelihood.foundation
Feel free to schedule a meeting to discuss partnerships or to request further details about our transformational programme to promote independent livelihood for our youth.