(ELIZABETH, NJ) -- Cory Singer realized when he was young that singing could be a way to make friends and gain respect from his peers. 

“It’s how people knew I existed and had a voice,” he said. “When you have a hard time communicating like everyone else you have to find an outlet to do so.”

Today the South Plainfield native is making a name for himself as both a singer-songwriter and a candid young person sharing his experience living with autism with more than 400,000 followers on TikTok.

Singer is one of six talented artists coming together March 28 to April 2 to support Community Access Unlimited in the third annual Banding Together, a virtual concert series fundraiser. 

CAU is a Union-County based, statewide nonprofit that supports people with disabilities and youth at risk with services and assistance with housing, life skills, employment, personal finance, relationships, civic engagement and more.

Whether your style is pop, country, rock or soul, there are musicians for everyone at this year’s Banding Together. The full lineup is: pop songwriter Cory Singer (March 28), soul musician Jeiris Cook (March 29), folk pop singer Kris Angelis (March 30), soul band Alexander Simone & WhoDat Live Crew (March 31), folk rock bank Jackson Pines (April 1), and pop country singer Jessica Rose (April 2). 

All shows air live at 7:00pm on the CAU Facebook page. Attendees can donate through Facebook during the event or at caunj.org/support-us/ All proceeds support CAU and programs that help individuals increase their independence in the community.

“I want to help CAU raise funds for the people that need it most,” said Jessica Rose, who is from Staten Island and describes her sound as a combination of pop, rock and country. “Empowering our youth and adults with disabilities is something I'm passionate about. More importantly, I hope to make people smile through my singing during this concert!”

Singer says he hopes to break stigmas around autism and disability and has found that both his music and his comedy on TikTok have that power. He released his latest single, “Someone,” on World Autism Day, and his family says that thousands of people have shared messages on social media thanking him for helping them learn more about autism and acceptance.

“I had wished there was someone like me out there when I was a little kid,” Singer said. “This event feels like a really good opportunity to do my part and help out.” 

Community Access Unlimited (CAU), celebrating 43 years in 2022, supports people with special needs in achieving real lives in the community. CAU provides support and gives voice to adults and youth who traditionally have little support and no voice in society. CAU helps people with housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities. CAU also supports opportunities for advocacy through training in assertiveness, decision-making and civil rights. CAU currently serves more than 3,000 individuals and families, with the number served growing each year.