Letter from the CEO: Growing Our Impact Through Stronger Corporate Partnerships

This month, I want to reflect on something that speaks to the heart of our mission at Spectrum Works. In July, on the very day we were honored to receive our grant award, Citizens Bank volunteers joined us for our first volunteer event with our students. That moment set the tone for a partnership rooted not only in financial support, but in meaningful engagement and shared purpose. Their commitment continued this fall, as they returned to volunteer with us again during a Skills Based Volunteer Day in November.

Our success has always been grounded in the belief that meaningful employment for young autistic adults is built through collaboration. When employers, educators, families, community partners, and volunteers come together, doors open. Opportunities grow. Lives change.

This belief was at the center of our Citizens Skills Based Volunteer Day held on November 13. A team of Citizens Bank volunteers dedicated their time and expertise to help us explore a vital question: How can Spectrum Works continue to grow our network of corporate partners so more autistic young adults can access the training and long-term employment they deserve?

Their contribution was not simply strategic. It was a statement of shared purpose. It showed what is possible when partners step forward to strengthen a mission they believe in.

Why Partnerships Matter More Than Ever

Every employer that joins our community becomes part of a young person’s future. A company is not just providing a job. It is offering a place to learn, contribute, and belong. It is creating a space where autistic talent is recognized for its value, not overlooked for its differences.

Growing that network thoughtfully is essential. It ensures that the young people in our program have access to environments where they can thrive. It creates pathways to careers that match their strengths. And it helps businesses build workplaces that are more inclusive, more innovative, and more compassionate.

This is why partnerships are not a program component. They are core to who we are and the impact we make.

A Collaborative Framework for the Future

During the volunteer day, the Citizens team offered thoughtful suggestions and ideas that will help Spectrum Works continue to strengthen and expand our mission. Their insights helped us see new possibilities for how we connect with employers, how we share the impact of our work, and how we build relationships that support long-term success for the young autistic adults we serve.

They encouraged us to think more strategically about how we reach potential partners, how we tell our story, and how we create clearer pathways for companies that want to get involved. Their feedback also highlighted opportunities to improve the tools and resources we use to support employer engagement, from initial outreach to long-term partnership building.

These contributions will help guide our next steps as we continue growing in a way that remains true to our mission. Most importantly, they will help us reach even more companies that are ready to embrace neurodiversity and invest in the next generation of talent.

The Power of Volunteer Leadership

Skills based volunteering brings something incredibly special to our work. It shows that supporting young autistic adults is not limited to hiring or training or donating. It can also mean contributing expertise. Sharing networks. Offering insight. Helping us think bigger.

The Citizens volunteers approached this project with thoughtfulness, dedication, and a real understanding of why our mission matters. Their work will support Spectrum Works as we continue to build partnerships that are sustainable, inclusive, and deeply impactful.

For that, we are grateful.

Looking Ahead

As we plan for the coming year, our focus remains clear. We will continue building partnerships that create real opportunities for young autistic adults. We will continue supporting employers who want to hire, train, and retain neurodiverse talent. And we will continue strengthening the systems that allow our mission to grow.

Partnerships are not simply beneficial. They are transformational. When companies open their doors, opportunities to improve lives open too. And when volunteers like the team from Citizens lend their expertise, they help make sure those doors stay open for years to come.

Thank you to our partners, our volunteers, and everyone who believes in the potential of every young person we serve. This work is only possible because of you.