Peer1on1

What Peer1on1 does

Peer1on1 (legally "Peer 1 on 1," also operating as "Autism Peer 1 on 1") is a California-based nonprofit organization founded in 2019 by Zhanqi Cheng, a mother of two autistic children. The organization runs community-based, inclusive social enrichment programs for teens ages 6 and up (some materials reference 5 and up) on the autism spectrum and with other neurodiverse conditions, alongside neurotypical teen participants. Programs are delivered through 12+ student-led branch locations across Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County, offering structured group activities in art, games, sports, and social events that are designed to build confidence, communication skills, and peer friendships in fully integrated settings.

The product portfolio centers on core offerings — Social Enrichment Programs and Peer Interaction Activities — supplemented by recurring Peer Clubs across branch locations, the new 2026 Summer Programs in multiple cities, and a Teen Volunteer Program. There is no proprietary technology stack; the model is explicitly community-based rather than clinical or therapeutic, and participants engage together with no separation by ability. Volunteers are trained by advisory board members who hold Behavior Technician certification and an M.S. in Special Education Studies, providing a structured volunteer workforce.

The revenue model combines uniform program participation fees paid by all participants regardless of background with donations accepted via Venmo and Zelle, supplemented by corporate sponsorships (e.g., Boeing). Go-to-market is community-led: families self-enroll through the website or direct contact, and the volunteer pipeline is recruited from local high schools including Temple City, Whitney, Arcadia, Sage Hill, Oxford Academy, and Del Norte. The organization has no institutional funding rounds, no disclosed revenue, and operates through an Advisory Board and student Board of Directors.

Name

Peer1on1

Legal name

Peer 1 on 1

Website

https://peer1on1.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Peer1on1 is a California nonprofit that runs inclusive, community-based social enrichment programs — including peer clubs, sports, and the 2026 Summer Programs — for neurodiverse and neurotypical teens across 12+ branches in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, funded by uniform participation fees, donations, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community-based youth social inclusion programs

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAKAF

Autism Social Skills & Peer-Mediated Programs

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAMAO

Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Mental Health Supports (School-Based)

SECONDARYBPAGADAD

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAJALAL

Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Support Services (Tutoring & Counseling)

Keywords

• Community-based enrichment programs
• Autism peer support services
• Youth social inclusion programs
• Neurodiversity community programs
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Program Participation Fees: All participants pay the same rate for program participation. The organization is a nonprofit, with all participants paying equal fees to join activities.
2. Donations: Organization accepts donations through Venmo ([email protected]) and Zelle ([email protected]). Community members and families can support the program financially.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Peer1on1 is a community-based nonprofit that delivers inclusive social enrichment programs for teens ages 6 and up, integrating neurodiverse and neurotypical youth in structured peer activities such as art, games, sports, and social events. Programs are organized across 12+ local branches in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego County, with student-led leadership teams and trained volunteer peer mentors supporting participants. All participants pay the same rate regardless of ability or background.

Product overview

Peer1on1 is a community-based nonprofit organization offering inclusive social enrichment programs for teens ages 6 and up. The organization operates a unified program structure centered on peer-based social interaction activities including art, games, and sports, delivered across multiple geographic locations in Southern California. The core product portfolio consists of Social Enrichment Programs and Peer Interaction Activities as the foundational offerings, supplemented by seasonal 2026 Summer Programs, ongoing Peer Clubs at various team branches, and a Teen Volunteer Program. All programs emphasize integrated, inclusive participation where neurotypical and neurodiverse youth engage together in the same sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Social Enrichment Programs Community-based inclusive social programs for teens ages 6 and up featuring activities such as art, games, sports, and social events that encourage communication, teamwork, and friendship building. Delivered across multiple Southern California branches with no separation by ability.
• Peer Interaction Activities Structured group activities designed to promote social engagement, communication skills, and community participation through shared experiences in an integrated setting where neurodiverse and neurotypical teens engage together.
• 2026 Summer Programs Summer enrichment programs offered in multiple cities including San Diego, Irvine, Cypress, and Arcadia, providing ongoing social activities for neurodiverse youth during summer months.
• Peer Clubs Ongoing peer-based club activities organized across various team locations in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego County regions.
• Teen Volunteer Program Structured program for neurotypical and neurodiverse teens to engage together through volunteer activities, leadership development, and community service across branch locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 autistic children supported through peer mentorship initiatives
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Special Olympics / Jeff LittmanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2023Autism Peer 1 on 1 formed a partnership with Special Olympics coach Jeff Littman to jointly deliver basketball skill training programs. The partnership enables specialized sports coaching for neurodiverse participants.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics: Special Olympics provides sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including autism. Peer1on1 already partners with Special Olympics coach Jeff Littman for basketball training, demonstrating overlapping programming focus and a much broader national footprint.
• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is one of the largest autism advocacy, research, and services organizations in the United States. While Peer1on1 is community-based and local, both serve the same autism community and converge on enrichment and inclusion programming.
• Easterseals: Easterseals is a large nonprofit providing services for people with disabilities, including autism, including community-based social and enrichment programs. While much broader in scope, it operates overlapping peer-support and inclusion programming.
• Autism Society of America: Autism Society of America is a large national autism advocacy and support organization delivering community-based programs. It serves a substantially overlapping audience of autistic individuals and families, with a broader set of resources and institutional reach than Peer1on1.
• The Arc: The Arc is a national organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. It operates local chapters that overlap with Peer1on1's geography and mission around community inclusion.

Direct peers

• Best Buddies International: Best Buddies runs one-to-one friendship and mentorship programs pairing volunteers with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. It is the closest direct peer to Peer1on1's peer-mediation model and operates a similar mission-driven volunteer structure at national scale.
• Friendship Circle: Friendship Circle runs volunteer-driven social and friendship programs for children and young adults with special needs, often through local chapters. It directly mirrors Peer1on1's teen volunteer, community-led model for neurodiverse youth.
• AANE (Asperger/Autism Network): AANE provides social support, peer groups, and community programs for autistic individuals and their families. Its peer-mediated social programming for autistic teens is closely aligned with Peer1on1's core activity model.

Regional players

• Jette着什么 (Jewish Community Center) Inclusion Programs: JCC and similar community organizations run inclusive social and recreational programs for youth with autism and other developmental disabilities. They share the community-based, volunteer-supported enrichment model but operate within their own geographic and membership footprint.

Emerging players

• Different Brains: Different Brains is a neurodiversity-focused nonprofit that produces media and community programs supporting autistic and neurodiverse individuals. Its emerging community-based model and emphasis on inclusion parallels Peer1on1's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/peer1on1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Peer1on1