Pueblo West teen with autism gives back to non-profit program

Aug. 13--A Pueblo West teen with autisum who has had a rough time during the coronavirus pandemic is giving back to a non-profit program that has helped him cope.

In just two days he raised $200.

Josiah Aguilar, son of Nellie and Justin Aguilar of Pueblo West, just graduated from Pueblo West High School. And now that he is 18, "resources are more limited," his mother said. Compounding the problem was the fact that Josiah was having a rough time "with the whole pandemic and medicine changes," Nellie Aguilar said.

That all changed when the Aguilars found 420autism, a non-profit offering services in Colorado Springs and Pueblo West. A new personal care worker taught Josiah how to make paracord bracelets two weeks ago and it became a craft he really enjoys.

"They have assisted us tremendously at the care center in Colorado Springs and with programs in our home. Josiah said, 'Mom, I want to give back to them -- I'm going to sell paracord bracelets,'" Nellie Aguilar explained.

Josiah got to work creating bracelets then set up a booth in front of the family home at Bond and Maher in Pueblo West. He decided to sell the bracelets for $5 each and donate half of all sales to the non-profit.

Josiah decided he would donate the full $5 for every sale of rainbow bracelets with autism support colors of red, green, yellow and blue.

Josiah's sister Athena and her best friend Reese McCoy took to Facebook to inform people about the sales. In two days, Josiah cranked out between 50 and 75 bracelets and took orders for 75 more, his mom said.

"It blew up way more than we expected -- it has been a great response. We love this community and would not want to live anywhere else," Nellie Aguilar said.

"He was able to donate $200 after just two days. I had to talk him out of taking orders and tell him to just make what he can," she explained.

With his half of the proceeds Josiah is buying more supplies.

"From start to finish it takes him about 20 minutes to make a bracelet. To see the happy responses from people has made him so excited.

He was not able to go to sleep that first night he was so excited. 'They liked them mom,' he told me," she said.

Nellie Aguilar said she is so amazed how her son has rebounded from his difficult time and is pleased to see him having something to look forward to.

"His dad and I just opened up a barbecue food truck and he asked his dad if he could sell the bracelets at the truck, too. He's a go-getter," she said with a laugh.

For now, Josiah plans to be out in front of his home from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday to sell the bracelets with the help of his sister.

"That is his plan for as long as he can do it," she explained.

Chieftain and Pueblo West View reporter Tracy Harmon can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or at https://twitter.com/tracywumps. Help support local journalism by subscribing to the Chieftain at https://chieftain.com/subscribenow.

___

(c)2020 The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.)

Visit The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.) at www.chieftain.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.