Senate Resolution No. 1639

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 15th Anniversary of Spectrum
Design

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses that contribute
substantially to the economic and cultural vitality of their
communities, thereby enhancing overall well-being of the entire Empire
State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 15th Anniversary of Spectrum Design; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the Nicholas Center for Autism, along with its
employment initiative, Spectrum Design Foundation, was established; and

WHEREAS, Co-founders Stella Spanakos, Nicole Sugrue, and Patrick
Bardsley formed a pilot program with two teens on the autism spectrum
and a single piece of equipment in 2011, and experienced drastic demand
shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, In the years following, with The Nicholas Center's purchase
of a new 500 square foot building and then a move to a 1,500 square foot
building, Spectrum Designs expanded its gainful employment of
individuals on the autism spectrum and continued experiencing devoted
support from its community; and

WHEREAS, By 2014, Spectrum Designs became the go-to T-shirt printing
and apparel customization business for many school districts and big
businesses in its area, utilizing state-of-the-art embroidery and
digital and screen-printing methods; and

WHEREAS, Continuing to experience unprecedented growth over the next
many years, Spectrum Designs upgraded to an 8,000 square foot facility,
has reached over $7 million in revenue, has expanded its client base
steadily, and increased its employment impact to 77 individuals and over
69,000 total paid hours; and

WHEREAS, Experiencing admirable success, Spectrum Designs opened a
second location and expanded its workforce to 51 neurodiverse employees
in 2020; this incredible team worked diligently, distributing 150,000
units of personal protection equipment, donating food, and providing
free or donating laundry services to its community during the COVID-19
pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Spectrum Designs has expanded to create Spectrum Suds, a
boutique laundromat with a social mission of inclusive employment and
vocational training opportunities in a neurodiverse world, and Spectrum
Bakes, a gourmet bakery producing homemade treats; and

WHEREAS, With a deep care for its community and environment,
Spectrum Design proudly earned certification from the Sustainable Green
Printing Partnership, joining an elite group of just 75 organizations

worldwide to exceed government environmental standards; Spectrum Designs
is the only non-profit to achieve such distinction; and

WHEREAS, The success of Spectrum Design is in direct correlation to
the efforts of its hardworking and dedicated staff, all of whom are
considered integral parts of the success of the business; their
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the community
it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business, its contributions to the local
and state economies, and its vibrant role in improving the quality of
life in its community, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy
the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 15th Anniversary of Spectrum Design; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Spectrum Design.