Company Keepers™ Parent Handout
Everything you need to know about the Company Keepers™ program — who it's for, how it works, and what to expect. Read it here, download it, or print it for future reference.
About Company Keepers™
Company Keepers™ is a peer mentoring social program designed for teens on the autism spectrum who would benefit from developing conversation skills, social confidence, and peer interaction in a relaxed and supportive environment.
What Makes This Program Different
Company Keepers™ is not a traditional social skills class.
There are no worksheets, no grading, and no formal instruction.
Instead, teens learn through:
- Interaction with peers
- Shared activities and games
- Natural conversation in a comfortable setting
The program provides a structured, supportive social environment where teens learn naturally through conversation, shared activities, and peer interaction.
How It Works
Participants meet once a week in a consistent, structured but relaxed setting.
During each session:
- Teens and peer mentors sit together at one table
- Board games and other shared activities are used to create natural opportunities for conversation, teamwork, problem-solving, and peer interaction
- Peer mentors help guide interaction and model social behavior
- Adult supervisors oversee each session to maintain a safe, respectful environment while allowing conversations and interactions to develop naturally
Snacks are available, and the environment is designed to be welcoming and low-pressure.
What Teens Gain
Through participation, teens may develop:
- Increased comfort in social settings
- Improved expressive language
- Stronger conversation skills
- Greater confidence interacting with peers
Progress looks different for each participant. Even small increases in communication are meaningful.
Who This Program Is For
Company Keepers™ is designed for teens who:
- Are able to participate in group conversations and cooperative activities with peer support
- Would benefit from developing social communication skills
Program Details
- 16-session peer mentoring program
- One 2-hour session per week (4:00–6:00 PM)
- Tuesdays in Brunswick County and Thursdays in New Hanover County
- Small group setting
- Trained peer mentors included
- Tuition: $80 per session ($1,280 total program tuition)
Payment Options
First Session
The fee for the first Company Keepers™ session is $80, payable before or at the first session.
AIM Programs understands that it can be difficult to know whether a new program will be a good fit until a participant has had an opportunity to experience it. The first session gives participants an opportunity to meet the group, participate in the activities, and decide whether they would like to continue with Company Keepers.
If a participant decides after the first session that Company Keepers is not a good fit, there is no obligation to continue with the program or make additional payments.
Continuing with Company Keepers
Participants who choose to continue after the first session are enrolled in the 16-session Company Keepers program. Families may choose the payment schedule that works best for their budget:
| Payment option | Amount |
|---|---|
| Weekly | $80 per session |
| Monthly / 4 sessions | $320 |
| Remaining 15 sessions | $1,200 |
| Full 16-session program upfront | $1,280 |
AIM Programs wants to keep payment options as flexible as reasonably possible for families. If one of the payment schedules above does not work well for your family, please contact the Program Director to discuss an alternative payment arrangement.
Session Locations
Brunswick County
Tuesdays
4:00 – 6:00 PM
New Hanover County
Thursdays
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Hemenway Community Center 507 McRae St Wilmington, NC 28401
A Note for Parents
Company Keepers™ focuses on building social communication skills within the program setting. While friendships may develop, all interactions outside the program are family decisions and are not supervised by AIM Programs™.
Contact Information
Ready to register your teen?
Register for Company Keepers™