(NewsNation) — “Love on the Spectrum” star Tanner Smith is raising money for ClemsonLIFE, a Clemson University program that helps people with autism attend college, during National Autism Acceptance Month.
“ClemsonLIFE, for us, was definitely the most pivotal decision that we ever made in Tanner’s therapy and schooling,” Nicci Smith, Tanner’s mom, said Thursday on “Morning America.”
Tanner Smith, a 25-year-old South Carolina native on the autism spectrum, came into the public eye after appearing on season 2 of Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum” and has captured the hearts of his many followers on social media.
“ClemsonLIFE gave him all the skills he needs to live independently. They have an incredible program for job placement and internships so that the kids can transition right into the workplace. It was really just a pivotal decision for us and changed the trajectory of his whole life,” his mother said.
Nicci Smith said Tanner has a couple of partnerships that will raise money for ClemsonLIFE this month.
“I’m working with Vineyard Vines to make a T-shirt,” Tanner Smith said. “Now, I’m working with MerchLabs to make a tote bag. All that money is going back to ClemsonLIFE.”
The Vineyard Vines campaign will start next week.
“Every bit of funds raised from the purchase of that t-shirt will go back to ClemsonLIFE, so that more kids can access that program,” Nicci Smith said.
Additionally, during the week of April 15, Tanner Smith will begin a campaign with MerchLabs.
“They have a really, really cute tote bag that showcases the acronym for ClemsonLIFE, which is learning is for everyone,” said Nicci Smith.
“It’s a huge hope of ours that more young adults can have a collegiate experience,” she added.