Letter from the CEO: A Legacy of Inclusion: Sesame Street Learn & Play and Spectrum Works Partner for Impact

When Spectrum Works was founded, our mission was simple: to open doors so autistic individuals can access meaningful work, grow, and belong. Over the years, we have seen the impact that happens when an employer opens their heart and their workplace to neurodiverse talent.

That is why I am so proud of our partnership with Sesame Street Learn & Play at American Dream. Sesame Street is not just a beloved children’s program. For more than 50 years it has modeled what inclusive storytelling looks like. From characters with differing abilities to episodes that explore topics like acceptance, empathy, and belonging, Sesame Street has long made it a priority that every child sees themselves.

It feels especially fitting and powerful to see that spirit of inclusion extended into their brick-and-mortar spaces. Sesame Street Learn & Play is not just a place families visit. It is a place where hiring reflects values, where inclusion is lived, and where people of all abilities contribute and thrive.

Through our partnership, Spectrum Works participants are working side by side with the Sesame Street Learn & Play team, gaining experience in customer service, retail operations, guest engagement, and behind-the-scenes support. Their training is real, rigorous, and connected to the daily operations of a high-visibility interactive destination.

Already, two interns have transitioned into permanent roles, a milestone in itself. Both of these new hires have already been recognized as an Employee of the Month shortly after starting, a testament to their talent, dedication, and to what happens when inclusion is authentically embraced. The recognition came as a result of their outstanding performance, willingness to pick up additional shifts, and consistently positive interactions with customers and coworkers alike.

We also currently have two more interns in training, and we hope they will be offered permanent positions when they complete their internships. Their journeys, in many ways, mirror what we have seen again and again: when people are believed in, supported, and given opportunity, they shine. 

Recently, both interns took the initiative to create their own craft ideas, which Sesame Street plans to incorporate into their daily offerings. Once supplies arrive, the interns will be making the samples for the entire team and to showcase in the crafting room; an incredible example of creativity, confidence, and ownership that this partnership inspires.

A special thank-you goes to Joe McGrath and his team at Sesame Street Learn & Play, and to our partner American Dream, for their leadership, collaboration, and commitment to making inclusion part of everyday operations. From the start, Joe recognized the mutual value of this partnership; how it could strengthen his business while making a meaningful community impact. His enthusiasm has set the tone for his entire team, who go above and beyond to ensure our interns feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. American Dream’s continued support and openness to inclusive hiring have also played a vital role in making this partnership thrive, and we are deeply grateful for their shared vision of what a truly inclusive workplace can be.

One thing I am often asked is: Why this partnership? The answer is simple. Inclusion is strongest when intention meets action. Sesame Street Learn & Play is not just speaking about inclusivity. They are creating it, in their hiring, in their guest experience, and in their physical space.

This partnership is more than just an employment opportunity; it is a model. A model for how businesses, nonprofits, and communities can work together to embed inclusion in every facet, not just in programming or branding, but in the very core of workplace culture.

From here, we will keep sharing stories, challenges, and wins. Because every time a barrier falls, every time someone gets a chance, we change not just one life. We shift expectations, broaden communities, and inch closer to the world we believe in.

Thank you to Sesame Street Learn & Play for being bold, for believing, and for partnering to make inclusion tangible.