In a classroom filled with energy and collaboration, Sam Henderson is building something that once felt out of reach: his future.
“I don’t even code,” Sam said with a laugh. “So, learning to code and having my game showcased at the Museum of the Moving Image—it was crazy.” Like many of his peers in the Career Ladder program at Tech Kids Unlimited (TKU), Sam is exploring the depths of his creativity and potential through a program built on community, opportunity, and unwavering belief.
Tech Kids Unlimited is a New York City-based nonprofit founded in 2014 that teaches tech and workplace skills to neurodiverse students, ages 10 to 24. At its heart is founder and Executive Director Beth Rosenberg, whose inspiration came not from theory, but from life itself—raising her neurodivergent son in a world that constantly underestimated him.
“I remember my son coming home from a high school internship and saying he spent the day sorting paper clips,” Beth recalled. “That was the spark. I thought, no. Our kids deserve better.”
Beth's Journey: From Mom to changemaker
Beth’s journey began with frustration. Despite being immersed in education and having access to networks and resources, she struggled to find tech enrichment programs that met her son’s needs.
“There was no place for me to take him,” she explained. “He loved technology, but he needed extra support—small classes, individual attention, and a space that embraced who he was.”
So, Beth created it. What began as a stop-motion animation workshop at a local community center soon grew into something much larger. “I never meant to start a nonprofit,” she said. “But when you see a need—and you know you’re not the only one—you act.”
Since receiving nonprofit status in 2014, TKU has expanded into a robust, award-winning organization serving over 545 students annually through programs that range from afterschool workshops to year-long internships. The goal has always been clear: to offer neurodiverse youth not only tech skills but also meaningful career pathways.
A program with Purpose: Career Ladder and the TD connection
At the center of this effort is the Career Ladder program—a five-part initiative that includes the Creative Tech Internship (CTI), CRISP (Career Ready Internship Summer Program), Digital Agency, Level Up Tech, and the College Access Program. These programs are designed not just to teach technical skills but to provide students with real-world experience and professional development.
TD Bank, through its TD Charitable Foundation, has been a key supporter of this work. Akash Mahajan, Senior Regional Giving Manager at TD, says the alignment was clear.
“The Career Ladder program doesn’t just train students—it prepares employers, coworkers, and the world to receive them,” he says. “It’s not enough to open the door; you have to make sure the room is ready,” Akash said.
Akash points out that TD’s support stems from its broader corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, which aims to enrich the lives of community members. One of the core pillars of the Ready Commitment is financial security, which focuses on identifying and supporting programs like the Career Ladder, to help increase financial access and inclusion, while also improving income stability.
“When you work with organizations like Tech Kids Unlimited, you see very quickly that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation,” he adds. “It’s not just about getting someone through a training program—it’s about making sure they’re supported before, during, and after.”
TD’s support has helped TKU expand its reach—doubling enrollment in the Digital Agency program, for example, and allowing students to take on paid, professional projects for real clients.
Students at the center: The power of TKU’s impact
The real impact, though, can be seen in the students. Abdullah Kante, an avid gamer with dreams of developing his own game and becoming a voice actor, joined TKU in 2023.
Since then, he’s worked on original projects like “Middle Place” and “Happy Hedger” through the CRISP Lab and Digital Agency. “TKU gave me the chance to practice real workplace skills,” Abdullah said. “I learned media marketing—I even helped promote a show on AMC. That was my first time understanding how that industry works.”
Sam’s story is equally inspiring. He found his voice not only in coding and graphic design but also in public speaking.
“They helped me build a resume before I even started applying to colleges,” he said. “And they gave me the confidence to speak at the CUNY Neurodiversity Conference. Twice.”
He’s also quick to emphasize the sense of community at TKU. “You go in with one friend and leave with ten,” he says. “It’s not a job—it’s exciting. You learn to lead, collaborate, and advocate for yourself.”
These stories are exactly what Beth had in mind when she created the Career Ladder program. “The old model of disability employment—food, filth, flowers, and factories—is outdated,” she said. “We’re not training kids to sort paperclips. We’re training them to run digital agencies, lead creative teams, and find real, fulfilling work opportunities.”
Why it matters: The case for support
TKU’s growth over the past decade is proof that inclusion, when done right, can have lasting impact. The organization has served over 5,000 students since its founding, and its programs continue to evolve in response to student needs and industry trends.
“Every student deserves to do work that’s meaningful to them,” Beth said. “But first, we have to believe that they can.”
Thanks to supporters like TD Bank, more students than ever are getting that chance. “What TD Bank is doing is investing in the future,” Beth said. They’re helping build a career journey – one that equips neurodiverse students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive in their pursuits for years to come.”
"Financial security is something every parent wishes for their child. This can be an even greater concern for parents with neurodiverse children, especially as the parent and child ages," said Ralph Bumbaca, Regional President of Metro New York, TD Bank. "Tech Kids helps children with autism build skills they need for employment and housing as young adults, and TD Bank is pleased to support their work and our shared goal of enhancing life readiness for everyone."
Programs like TKU are more than educational experiences—they are launching pads. As Beth puts it, “TKU is a community where our kids may experience their first friend, their first real collaboration, and their first time being truly seen.”
And if you ask Sam, Abdullah, or any of the hundreds of students who’ve passed through TKU, they’ll tell you the same thing: this isn’t just a place to learn. It’s a place to belong.
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