Nonprofit partnering with Lady Gaga and Google to employ autistic adults opening in Hackensack

A new custom apparel and merchandise production facility is opening in Hackensack to create employment opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum.

Nonprofit organization Spectrum Designs and North Jersey Friendship House are partnering to open the facility at 120 Myer St. on May 1.

The company provides screen printing, embroidery, direct-to-garment printing and branded merchandise, serving clients from local businesses to global brands, including Google, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.

The facility will hire and train neurodiverse individuals for roles in apparel production, fulfillment and customer service with structured support and long-term career pathways.

North Jersey Friendship House will provide on-site support staff to help employees learn their roles, build skills and succeed in the workplace.

More than 70% of Spectrum Designs’ workforce identifies as neurodivergent.

While the company has already hired staff for the location, it is hoping…