By Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is pleased to welcome Spectrum Designs Foundation to our Grantee Blog. Spectrum Designs Foundation is a New York-based nonprofit organization that creates meaningful and inclusive employment and vocational training opportunities for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Through Spectrum Designs, a full-service brand and merchandise service, and Spectrum Suds, a boutique wash-and-fold laundry and dry-cleaning service, Spectrum Designs Foundation helps neurodiverse individuals build independence, strengthen self-confidence, and find meaningful workforce development opportunities.
Courtesy of Spectrum Designs Foundation
Before Spectrum Designs Foundation had multiple locations, a growing team, and a community of clients and partners, we began in a backyard barn with one printing machine and a powerful idea: people on the autism spectrum deserved meaningful opportunities to work, learn, and contribute.
When we opened our doors in 2011, many families understood the challenge all too well. Their loved ones were ready to bring their talents, creativity, and dedication to the workforce, but too often, they were not given the opportunity to show what they could do.
Over the past 15 years, our organization has grown far beyond that first barn, but our purpose has remained the same: to break down barriers to employment and create workplaces where people of all abilities can thrive.
Through our two programs, Spectrum Designs, a full-service brand and merchandise service, and Spectrum Suds, a boutique wash-and-fold laundry and dry-cleaning service—we provide employment and vocational training opportunities in supportive, inclusive environments. These experiences are hands-on and exacting, helping our team build technical skills, focus, communication, responsibility, and confidence.
At Spectrum Designs, employees learn and contribute to every stage of the custom merchandise process. They prepare materials, support production, decorate apparel, pack orders, and help fulfill projects for clients across the country.
At Spectrum Suds, our team provides the community with a boutique laundry pick up and delivery service in an environment built around training, structure, and inclusion. Across both services, our workplace is built around the belief that our employees make this work possible and meaningful. By creating supportive environments, we help our employees succeed and show what inclusive workplaces can look like.
Every year, our employees’ accomplishments reach more people, businesses, and communities. Through Spectrum Designs, our team produces custom apparel and branded merchandise for clients ranging from local organizations to nationally recognized companies and nonprofits. Every completed order gives our team the opportunity to see how their work supports events, campaigns, businesses, and causes far beyond the production floor.
Through Spectrum Suds, we now provide boutique wash-and-fold laundry and dry-cleaning services for more than 100 biweekly clients in our local community. Every pickup, wash, fold, and delivery helps our team recognize its role in providing neighbors with a service they can rely on.
These experiences are deeply meaningful. Completed orders carry the pride of work well done, regular shifts become a source of routine and independence, and a paycheck affirms what every person deserves to feel: that their time, effort, and contribution matter. Simply put, every day we help people see just how much their presence and passions make possible.
As our services have grown, so have the practical needs that make this work possible. Through a grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, we recently purchased an electric delivery minivan that has helped expand our reach and strengthen daily operations for both programs. For Spectrum Suds, the van supports local laundry pickups and drop-offs, and for Spectrum Designs, it helps move larger orders and equipment between our multiple facilities.
The new van also helps ensure our employees do not need to rely on their personal vehicles to support daily operations. With more room for materials, orders, and laundry, Spectrum Designs Foundation can move more efficiently between the people and places we serve. As a certified Sustainable Green Printing company, we also see the electric vehicle as part of our broader commitment to responsible growth.
We are proud of the growth of Spectrum Designs and Spectrum Suds, but we are even prouder of the people behind that growth. Our employees continue to demonstrate the dedication, creativity, talent, and perspective that individuals of all abilities can bring to the workplace.
As we look toward the future, we hope our journey can serve as a blueprint for what inclusive employment can look like—and a reminder of everything that becomes possible when people are given the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and be recognized for all they have to offer.
About Spectrum Designs Foundation
Spectrum Designs Foundation operates mission-driven services that create meaningful employment and vocational training opportunities for people in a neurodiverse world. Nearly 70% of its 100-person team is on the autism spectrum. As a nonprofit organization, every purchase helps sustain and expand an inclusive, integrated workplace while creating additional jobs and career pathways.
Its portfolio of social services includes:
- Spectrum Designs – A full-service custom brand and merchandise service offering screen printing, embroidery, direct-to-film printing, and branded promotional products for local organizations and nationally recognized brands.
- Spectrum Suds – A boutique pickup-and-delivery laundry service offering professional wash-dry-fold and dry-cleaning services, convenient scheduling, home delivery, and community-friendly pricing.
This milestone comes during a period of tremendous growth for Spectrum Designs Foundation. Over the past year, the organization has generated record-breaking sales of more than $9 million, hired its 100th employee, and opened a new location in Hackensack, New Jersey.