December 2023 Newsletter

An End of Year Message from our CEO

Dear BroadFutures Community,

What an amazing year it has been for BroadFutures as we celebrate our decade of service.  This year has not only marked our 10th anniversary, but one of phenomenal growth and impact. We have added 5 new staff members, 2 new board members, and 9 new employer partners, including 2 new national programs  – NBC Sports and Booz Allen Hamilton. We have signed a new partnership with Merck to start in 2024. We also developed partnerships with Lesley University and the International Finance Corporation to support them in their various neurodiversity efforts. On the programming side, we ran 4 internship programs this year while also supporting several alumni in their ongoing professional pursuits. 

What I embarked on 10 years ago with my co-founders, Brad Holmes and Diana Eisenstat, has exceeded my wildest expectations. BroadFutures has become a leader nationally in supporting neurodiverse talent and employers who strive for inclusive and accessible workplaces. I am so incredibly proud of what we have built. As I reflect on our decade of success and impact, it is also a poignant moment for me personally as I say goodbye to my colleague and friend, Brad Holmes who is stepping off our Board at the end of this year.  

Most importantly at this time of year, I reflect on the incredible community we have supporting our vision of an inclusive workplace that empowers neurodivergent talent. We would not have been able to accomplish any of what we have over the past 10 years without the passionate support of our entire community: donors, families, employers, interns, community partners, and service providers. I am so grateful to all of you for believing in our mission and helping BroadFutures to be the organization that it is today. Last but most assuredly not least, I am so incredibly grateful and proud of our amazing team here at BroadFutures. We continue to deliver services and support at a level that has excellence as its north star. Just when you thought I would not give a quote to express my reflections on BroadFutures, I find myself compelled. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” We are in the habit of seeking excellence in all that we do, who we serve, and who we partner with. Aristotle captured our mission perfectly and we look forward to continuing on that path in 2024, with your support and passion driving us forward. 

We are hopeful you will consider BroadFutures in your end of year gift giving and we look forward to being in touch in the New Year. Happy Holidays and wishing you and your families a season filled with joy and peace.

With Gratitude, 

CEO/President/Co-Founder

Please consider an end of year donation to BroadFutures. Support our mission below!

Heartfelt Goodbyes and Gratitude to

our Retiring Board Members

Three of BroadFutures’ Board Members, Brad Holmes, Lisa Grove, and Anita Ayerbe will be leaving our Board of Directors at the end of this year. We are so incredibly grateful for their service and precious time to our organization as well as their passionate dedication to our mission.

Brad, Lisa, and Anita have all been some of our greatest champions, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to creating more accessible and inclusive workplaces and celebrating neurodiversity.

Brad Holmes is a BroadFutures Co-Founder and has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors for over 10 years. He will continue to serve as Board Member Emeritus. Brad is also a proud parent of a BroadFutures alumni.

“Ten years ago I shared with my two co-founders a vision to help prepare neurodiverse young adults for the workforce. By creating and growing BroadFutures that vision has become a successful reality. I am so proud of the hundreds of interns who have benefitted. This accomplishment has been the realization of an important dream of mine.” – Brad Holmes

Lisa Grove served on our Board for 6 years and chaired our Board Governance Committee. She previously served on our Gala Host Committee before joining our Board. Lisa is also a proud parent of a BroadFutures alumni.  

“I am so proud to have witnessed the growth of BroadFutures to the established program it has become. The innovation of the curriculum, the mentoring of the interns and the employer partners, and the outreach to the community has been outstanding. Young people who might have been underemployed have become confident in the workplace, and employers have learned about the great potential of our unique interns.” – Lisa Grove

Anita Ayerbe served on our Board for almost 3 years and chaired our Advancement Committee. Anita is also a proud parent of a BroadFutures alumni.

“As a parent and Board member, I have seen first hand the transformative effect the BroadFutures program has made on interns and their families. My daughter Lucy was in the COVID class of Winter 2020, and though her experience was cut short, she gained insight, confidence and most importantly, long-lasting friendships. It has been rewarding for me to spread that message to employer partners and potential interns, and to fundraise to support such an important mission.” – Anita Ayerbe

To our Board Members, thank you for being such integral members of the BroadFutures community. We will surely miss you! 

Interested in Applying to BroadFutures’

Summer 2024 Program?

Click Here to Access Our Application Page

To Learn More about our Programs, Register for our

January 25th Information Session here. 

Employer Spotlight – Hank’s Oyster Bar

This month we’re spotlighting one of our first time employer partners, Hank’s Oyster Bar. Hank’s Oyster Bar has been a pillar of D.C.’s restaurant and hospitality scene since 2005. Their three locations in the D.C. metro-area are well known for serving delicious seafood and providing impeccable service.

Hank’s General Manager, Shauntice Rodriguez, reflected on her partnership with us. She shared, “Our experience with BroadFutures has been rewarding for all involved. It is wonderful to watch someone progress and reach their goals. To know that we have been a part of our intern’s development makes us prouder than we can express.”

Thank you Hank’s Oyster Bar for hosting our intern! We look forward to our continued partnership.

Intern Spotlight – Devika Raj

This month we’re shining the spotlight on Devika Raj! Devika (pictured on the left) is a BroadFutures alumn from Sterling, Virginia. She studied at George Mason University where she majored in Psychology. Devika’s thoughtful and perseverant spirit added so much to our Summer ’23 cohort. 

This summer Devika interned at Concord Hospitality where she enjoyed working at the front desk and interacting with patrons. When asked to reflect on her experience at BroadFutures, Devika shared, “My favorite part of BroadFutures was the nonverbal communication activities. I really enjoyed all the team building activities as well as mingling with the other interns in the program.” 

Keep up the amazing work, Devika! BroadFutures is always here to support you!

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November 2023 Newsletter

We want to thank you all for your generous support of our mission to advance workplace equity. We work hard every day to change the lives of the young people we serve while also making the workplace inclusive and accessible. We can only do so with the help of our donors, alumni, employers, community partners, and countless family and friends of BroadFutures. To hear what the BroadFutures team is grateful for this year, please watch our recent staff video here.

We also want to extend a special thanks to everyone who supported our Giving Tuesday campaign! With your generous support, we were able to raise  $2,000. If you missed the opportunity to participate in the campaign yesterday, there is still time to give to this campaign through December 1, 2024. We are honored to be apart of such a giving community and we look forward to your continued support!

Thank You Spur Local for Supporting Changemakers!

This year BroadFutures was recognized as a critical local nonprofit by Spur Local (formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy), and this November we had the opportunity to participate in their Community Changemakers event where we connected with other local nonprofits and engaged with donors and community members.

We want to thank Spur Local for hosting such a wonderful event that celebrated local social impact. And to everyone who stopped by BroadFutures’ table, we appreciate your support and eagerness to learn more!

Interested in Applying to BroadFutures’

Summer 2024 Program?

Click Here to Access Our Application Page

To Learn More about our Programs, Register for our December 20th Information Session here. 

Watch Our 10th Anniversary “Where are They Now” Video of our Amazing Alumni!

BroadFutures has shaped the lives of hundreds of neurodiverse young people not only by providing them with access to internships and workplace experience, but also by cultivating a lasting sense of community and support. Check out our latest intern testimonial video to hear directly from alumni how our program shaped their trajectory and what makes BroadFutures so unique and impactful.

Don’t forget to also check out our recent 10th Anniversary Celebration Recap Video and follow us on social media for more updates!

Intern Spotlight – Nikhil Niyogi

This month we’re shining the spotlight on Nikhil Niyogi! Nikhil is a BroadFutures alumn from Bethesda, Maryland. He currently attends McDaniel College where he studies Marketing. Nikhil’s energetic and kind spirit added so much to our Summer ’23 cohort. 

This summer Nikhil interned at Atlas Performing Arts Center. Since completing the program, Nikhil has continued to be very involved with BroadFutures. Last month he attended our 10th Anniversary Celebration as an alumni speaker.

In a thoughtful speech, Nikhil reflected on how impactful his time at BroadFutures was. He shared, “I will take what I learned about self-advocacy with me so that when I do another internship in the future or get a full-time job I will be able to ask for the accommodations I need to be successful.”

Keep up the amazing work, Nikhil! BroadFutures is always here to support you!

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October 2023 Newsletter

Thank You for Celebrating our 10th Anniversary!

For the past decade, BroadFutures has supported more than 350 neurodivergent young people. We’ve also worked closely with upwards of 65 employer partners to showcase the limitless potential neurodiversity brings to the workplace.

On October 21st we gathered amongst friends, supporters, alumni, and honorees to celebrate 10 years of BroadFutures and raise money for our scholarship fund. With the support of our generous donors we were able to surpass all of our fundraising goals!!!

We raised $25,000 more than last fall’s gala and had a turn out of 25% more attendees! It was a wonderful night of fun and fellowship as we looked back on 10 amazing years and looked forward to many more to come.

Thank you so much for celebrating with us! And thank you for your continued support as we pave the way towards workplace equity for all neurodivergent people! Stay tuned for more photos and videos recapping the event.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Staff Member

Caroline Brachman

We are thrilled to welcome Caroline to our BroadFutures team! Caroline Brachman serves as our Director of Operations. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the organization and overseeing our financial activities, HR facilities, and data systems. Caroline specializes in building and improving internal systems and processes that enable nonprofits to realize their missions most effectively.

She is passionate about connecting young people with the resources they need to thrive. Prior to joining BroadFutures, Caroline served in operations consulting roles at DC’s Levine School of Music, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), and The Myositis Association. Caroline also served as Chief of Staff at iCivics, as well as in a variety of diverse roles at other national youth-focused nonprofits.

Caroline is the proud parent of a neurodivergent child. She currently resides in Arlington with her husband and two children.

Interested in Applying to BroadFutures’ Winter 2024 Program?

Click Here to Access Our Application Page

To Learn More about our Programs, Register for our November 30th Information Session here.

A Special Thanks to TD Bank!

Through a generous grant, TD Bank Charitable Foundation supported our 2023 programs with a Financial Literacy Curriculum aimed at educating and empowering our interns to become financially aware, informed, and secure.

This portion of the curriculum had a profound impact on our interns; one of our summer participants shared, “I think that learning how to budget and save money should be taught more.” For many of our cohort members, their internship was their first experience receiving a paycheck and holding a job.

Learning fundamental financial literacy concepts such as the different types of credit scores, how to create a budget, and the anatomy of a paycheck proved beneficial in helping our interns begin their financial journey on the right foot.

Thank you TD Bank Charitable Foundation for making our training possible!

Employer Spotlight – Pendry Hotels & Resorts

We are excited to spotlight Pendry Hotels & Resorts this month! Pendry is a collection of luxury residences, hotels, and boutiques with a number of locations worldwide. They provide exceptional services that place the comfort of their patrons at the forefront. This summer we were able to partner with Pendry for the first time as they worked with Summer ’23 alum, Sidney Waller, at their location on The Wharf. 

When asked to reflect on her experience partnering with BroadFutures, Director of People, Vanessa Peters shared, “I was very pleased with the intern we hosted this summer. I have worked with [BroadFutures] in the past through a previous employer, so [they] know the type of candidates we look for in our summer interns. I have not been disappointed yet. I trust the team I have been working with this summer as well as the teams I worked with previously.”

Thank you Pendry! We value your partnership and look forward to your ongoing support!

Intern Spotlight – Nathan Wooten

This month we’re shining the spotlight on Nathan Wooten! Nathan is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He currently attends Mercyhurst University where he studies Applied Sociology. Nathan’s energetic and passionate temperament added so much to our Summer ’23 cohort. 

This summer Nathan interned at United Bank. Since completing the program, Nathan has continued to be very involved with BroadFutures. This month he attended our 10th Anniversary Celebration as an alumni speaker.

In an insightful speech, Nathan shared how he has applied what he learned at BroadFutures to his personal and school life, stating, “BroadFutures helped me successfully complete my internship by showing me how to advocate for myself in workplace settings […] I am continuing to advocate for myself more in the classroom by talking to my professors and reaching out when I need help.”

Keep up the great work, Nathan! BroadFutures is cheering you on!

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September 2023 Newsletter

Join Us for our 10th Anniversary Celebration!

For the past decade, BroadFutures has supported more than

350 neurodivergent young people. We've worked closely with upwards of

65 employer partners to showcase the limitless potential and value

neurodiversity brings to the workplace. As we celebrate our 10th Year Anniversary, we invite you to celebrate alongside us as a Sponsor!

Click Here to RSVP or Become an Event Sponsor

Introducing Our Anniversary

Celebration Honorees:

Jamelia Morgan and CIAB

Jamelia Morgan

Jamelia Morgan, Esq., is an award-winning scholar whose teachings analyze the intersections of race, gender, disability, and criminal law. Morgan's scholarship specifically interrogates Disability Law and the criminalization of physical and social disorders in the United States legal system. She currently acts as Professor of Law and Faculty Director at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law where she also leads the Center for Racial and Disability Justice as its founder.

In June, our BroadFutures staff was lucky enough to engage in a transformative  disability and racial justice training held by Jamelia Morgan and her colleague, Jordyn Jensen. We are thrilled to recognize Morgan's contributions and look forward to honoring her at our 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. 

CIAB

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) has been a proud supporter of BroadFutures. They have hosted 7 interns since 2019 to support our mission of advancing workplace equity. We are excited to honor CIAB's contributions to diversity and disability inclusion at our Anniversary Celebration on October 21. 

CIAB was founded in 1913 with a mission to provide a forum where commercial insurance agents, brokers, and companies can collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. Today, CIAB is globally recognized as one of the frontier advocates for insurance brokers on employee benefits. Learn more about CIAB here.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Staff Member

Jordan Miller

We are thrilled to welcome Jordan to our BroadFutures team! Jordan serves as our Advancement Director, leading development and communications strategy to support BroadFutures' donor outreach and stewardship efforts. Jordan is a nonprofit professional that has worked in fundraising and development at a variety of education-focused organizations in the Greater Washington, DC area.

Jordan received her BA in International Relations from American University and recently graduated from the George Washington University School of Business with an MS in Interdisciplinary Business Studies. While in graduate school, Jordan operated her own personal chef business that provided meal preparation and private catering services in Washington, DC.

Jordan shared, "I am thrilled to join BroadFutures as the new Advancement Director. I have developed both a personal and professional interest in supporting initiatives that provide young people with workforce readiness and education opportunities, and I look forward to continuing my involvement in this space at BroadFutures."

Intern Spotlight - Amber Ward

This month we are shining the spotlight on Amber Ward! Amber is a Washington, DC native who currently attends North Carolina Central University where she is majoring in Psychology. 

This summer, Amber interned at CBRE where she was most excited about "networking and growing [her] professional and communication skills". When asked to reflect on the highlights of BroadFutures programming, Amber shared, "My favorite part has been the interactive activities we do such as Game Genius, yoga, and games with [theater instructor] Raymond Caldwell". 

Amber is a hardworking and conscientious young person who brought valuable perspectives to her peers and colleagues this summer. Though the Summer 2023 Program ended, we are happy to have her as part of our BroadFutures alumni community. Join us at the Anniversary Celebration to hear Amber share more about her experience!

Interested in Applying to BroadFutures' Winter 2024 Program? 

Click Here to Access Our Application Page

To Learn More, Register for our October 26th

Information Session here.

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