IT’S THE BEST OF EVIE RIBER, SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH
(Media please note: Evie and family may be contacted at: 513-604-9268)
COVINGTON, Ky. — She is 21.
A student.
And, a stand-up comedian – she’ll be performing at The Point/Arc’s, Point Perk Coffee Shop, (45 W. Pike Street, Covington, Ky.) Saturday (March 28th) during the first Open-Mic engagement at the shop.
Show-time is 11am to 1 pm – and the public is invited – free.
Oops, we almost forgot to mention – Evie Riber is Autistic – which refers to a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.
It is characterized by unique strengths and challenges, including intense interests, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors. It is a spectrum, meaning needs vary widely.
Evie’s interests—making people laugh. “I’ve done Open-Mic at my school’s talent show. In fact, my performance at the Point-Perk will be my third.”
She says she has a complete routine, and chats about family, friends, and school.
She attends Heidt Center of Excellence in Cincinnati. “Evie is in the Transition Program, which runs through the age of 21,” her mom Filio said. “She’ll graduate this spring.”
The Heidt Center is specially designed for Youth with Autism and related disorders. Their Transition Program offers career and life skills training, which includes internships, job coaching, and connections with local businesses.
Yet, young Evie chose the comedy route. “She wanted to sing at that first talent show,” mom recalled, “And I said, ‘I bet everyone sings. You’re funny – tell some jokes.’”
Evie and dad – Sam – put together a routine for last year’s talent show. “It was a big hit,” Filio (pronounced Feo) said. “She memorized the entire seven-minute monologue which highlighted food, life and movies.”
“There were a lot of ‘Dad Jokes’ in my routine,” Evie said. “And I love interacting with the crowd.”
Both Filio and Sam said they found out about Evie being on the Spectrum when she was 15. “I always had a hunch,” mom said. “She was screened when she was six.
“When we found out she was autistic,” she continued, “We were happy; our thoughts were validated.”
“We both said, ‘Well, ok’ , now we can get some quality help,” was Sam’s response when he got the news of Evie being autistic. “With or without autism,” he added, “She’s still the same person.”
And what a person she is. When she’s not telling jokes, she works at The Point Perk Coffee Shop – for now, one Saturday — the third – of every month.
Why The Perk?
“We love coffee, and coffee shops,” says mom. “Evie needs an environment that knows her limitations.
“We heard about The Point/Arc and Point Perk Coffee Shop from our Principal at The Heidt Center of Excellence.
“In fact,” she added, “If I had to pick a place for Evie to work, it would be The Perk. It has growth opportunities. And, there is a level of acceptance.”
Filio says she drops Evie off at The Perk, and she works at her own pace.
What she is learning now, is how to make those coffee drinks the Perk has made famous.
“My favorite, she says, “Is the Bengal Blast. White Chocolate, Espresso, Cinnamon, and Caramel.”
Evie is planning to be a full-time barrister at The Perk upon graduation – that is, if Hollywood doesn’t grab her first.
The Point/Arc was founded in 1972 by a group of parents fighting for the educational rights of their children. who were diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disability. The mission – to help people with disabilities achieve their highest potential educationally, socially, residentially, and vocationally. More than this, The Point/Arc has been an organization that identifies gaps in services and provides care and support to fill these gaps – event when government funding sources are not available.
The Point-Perk Coffee Shop – one of four social enterprises to provide vocational training for individuals with I/DD — opened in 2015 as a way for the community to come in for a “feel good” cup of coffee, and to see The Point/Arc mission in action.
