Autism-friendly car wash adds second location

Spencer Ward enjoys working at Rising Tide Car Wash and his enthusiasm and work ethic recently landed him a promotion.

“I supervise the guys. It’s pretty good,” he said.

The 31-year-old has been working at the car wash, that primarily employs adults with autism, since 2014 and works in quality control, training other employees and checking on the cars.

Because of the success of Rising Tide’s first location in Parkland in 2013, the car wash recently opened a second location in Margate, and now employs about 80, with about 45 at the Margate location. Over 600 applications were received, said Thomas D’Eri, who started Rising Tide along with his father, John D’Eri.

“The community embraced us and we looked for an opportunity to employ more people, and Margate already knew of us and was eager to have us in the community,” said Thomas D’Eri. “We felt there were plenty of people with autism we can employ and benefit.”

John started Rising Tide because he wanted to create a supportive environment for his son and Thomas’s younger brother, Andrew D’Eri.

According to Autism Speaks, there is a 90 percent unemployment rate for adults with autism.

“Our family started this journey simply because we didn't see that Andrew would be able to lead a full and independent life without our intervention. And while it started with Andrew, it's evolved into something much bigger. We've experienced day in and day out for the last 4 years that our employees with autism are simply the best employees,” said Thomas D’Eri.

Andrew D’Eri, 27, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, likes working at the car wash and does details and full-service washes. Not only does he enjoy the work at the car wash, but he likes working with all the guys and the friendships he’s made, he said.

“My job at the wash is very awesome and I like working at the wash a lot,” he said.

Rising Tide Car Wash was recently the recipient of The 2017 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Autism Award and was recognized during the national conference for the Autism Society of America.

“The message we'd like to share in winning this award is that the talents individuals with autism have hold real value for a variety of businesses when the organizational systems are put in place to help them thrive,” said Thomas D’Eri.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award, which was established in 2016, was presented to Rising Tide because they “exemplify an entrepreneurial endeavor that values autistic adults and fosters their growth as independent wageearners doing meaningful work that they and the community can be proud of,” said Linda Walder, founder and executive director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation.

Rising Tide’s plans for a third location is also in the works. For more information on Rising Tide Car Wash, visit www.risingtidecarwash.com or call 954-344-1855