Donate to Charting the Pathway to the Stars for Autism...

Beyond the Spectrum was born from both a desire and a growing need.

My name is Vanessa Alvarez and I am the creator of Beyond the Spectrum. Our son was diagnosed with autism, and while most programs focus on early intervention for children, there are fewer resources available for our young adult community. Our young adults need support in gaining employment skills and achieving independence across the disability community. 

I was inspired by parents who started ventures to create job opportunities for their young adults and the community. Another inspiration was the Delancey State Foundation in San Francisco, California. I saw a need and an idea was born. 

While I worked full-time, I started a sole proprietorship as a reseller, on my own. Although the sole proprietorship has been enjoyable, I would like to use the skills I have gained for a social purpose. I want to teach customer service, tasks, and responsibilities, and overall build their confidence. 

Our vision is to be leaders in promoting acceptance of individuals with disabilities, to be embraced for their unique abilities and talents, and to have equal opportunities to succeed in the workforce and beyond. Our mission is to bridge the gap between individuals on the autism spectrum and opportunity, employment, and community. 

In the initial phases of Beyond the Spectrum, I will be the sole operator until we accrue enough revenue to employ interns in the pilot program. Our interns will be involved in the daily operations and will be provided support throughout training. We want to implement direct support professionals to assist with training, once we have established a physical retail space. In a larger space, we want a community room to host support groups, social events, and more. Additionally, we would like to create a sensory space.

We want to collaborate with non-profits and other organizations in the area to provide additional services. These services can be beneficial to our interns and members of the community. 

If you would like to read more about my vision, click here.

With your help, we can begin charting the pathway to the stars!