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.