Company Name: Wacker Chemicals (China) Co

Project Name: "A-coffee"

Award Category: CSR

As a forum for social contact, “A-coffee” supports young individuals with autism. WACKER HELP, a company-internal charity organization sponsored by both WACKER China employees and WACKER China, is helping out on a voluntary basis. On every first Friday in the month, WACKER colleagues come together at “A-Coffee” in the afternoon. Here, they take on the roles of guests who drop by for a coffee. In their role as service staff, the autistic teenagers take their orders and serve coffee they have prepared themselves. WACKER colleagues also chat with the young people to help the teens practice their social and communication skills.  

As each and every autistic teenager has a unique character, WACKER volunteers are called upon to use different methods of communication to fit their respective personalities. Thanks to regular exchange, many autistic teens have established strong trust and familiarity with WACKER volunteers. Through this initiative, WACKER HELP volunteers have gained a lot of knowledge, deepened their understanding of human nature and broadened their understanding of individuals with autism. 

In October 2023, WACKER will also invite autistic youth from "A-coffee" to visit the company’s Shanghai headquarters and participate in a series of activities and games together with WACKER employees, such as drawing with environmentally friendly paint and making drinks. WACKER will also invite employees to watch the autistic guests’ talent shows and have lunch with them.