Lt. Gov. Hochul attends Nicholas Center, Spectrum Designs grand opening in Pleasantville

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was amongst several officials who attended the Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs grand opening today in Pleasantville.
“Investing in human capital and giving them the dignity and love they need and the future they deserve,” Hochul said of the Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs program.
After 10 years on Long Island, the organization expanded and now has a second location in southern Westchester.
One program offers education, while the other offers vocational skills for young adults with autism.
Nicholas Center co-founder Stella Spanakos says she came up with the idea after being unable to find a good program for her then 18-year-old son, Nicholas.
"Eighty-five percent of individuals with disabilities are unemployed,” says Spanakos. "This is what we call a beautiful marriage, where you have the education supporting a business, and individuals with disabilities in the employment.”
Bradley Jacob, of White Plains, tells News 12 the program has great benefits.
“I feel like it changed me for the better,” says Jacob. "It has taught me the value of community, the value of being a leader…knowing that anything is possible."
Although the organization has expanded to Pleasantville, some officials are thinking even bigger. They hope the Nicholas Center Spectrum Designs program can be expanded statewide.