Our Community Partners: The Engine of Impact

Building a more inclusive world takes more than one organization. At Meristem, our mission to prepare neurodiverse young adults for lives of independence is fueled by a network of partners who understand something simple: when we invest in human potential, the entire region benefits. This page recognizes the Sacramento businesses, local foundations, and community leaders who stand with us.

We are facing a generational shift. Today, 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism. That is a 300% increase over the past two decades. As this population ages into adulthood, the systems designed to support them often fall away entirely.

The statistics are sobering. Nationwide, up to 85% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed. Nearly 9 in 10 remain dependent on their families well into their twenties. These are not just numbers. They represent lost potential, strained families, and communities that are missing out on the contributions of an entire generation.

This is not a challenge for individual families to solve alone. It is an economic and social imperative for our region. When neurodiverse young adults are excluded from the workforce and community life, we lose their talents, their perspectives, and their energy.

Addressing this requires comprehensive autism transition programs that are deeply integrated into the local economy. It requires a community willing to step up, create opportunities, and redefine what is possible for adults on the spectrum.

Meristem was intentionally established in Fair Oaks, California. We believe that true independence is learned in the real world, not in a vacuum. Our 13-acre campus serves as a launchpad. The broader Sacramento region is our classroom.

The organizations that partner with us understand that supporting autism programs for adults in Sacramento is an investment in the civic health of our region. When a local business provides an internship, they are changing the trajectory of a young person’s life. When a foundation funds our independent living dormitories, they are directly reducing the long-term housing crisis for adults with developmental disabilities. When a community group sponsors our events, they are sending a clear message: neurodiverse individuals belong here.

From the trails of the American River Parkway to the boardrooms of downtown Sacramento, our partners are helping us build a region where everyone has a place. They are the engine that turns our mission into measurable impact.

We are profoundly grateful to the following organizations, businesses, and foundations. Their generous support, strategic guidance, and commitment to inclusive community make our work possible.

THE TIMMONS FOUNDATION

TINA THOMAS
& BILL ABBOTT

RICK PARROTT

RCA COMMUNITY FUND AT THE SACRAMENTO
REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

WINSTON &
BECKY HICKOX

THE GEARY FAMILY

ARMROD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

ROGER GILBERT & LULU WONG

DENNIS & CAROL KANIN

BOB BUCCOLA & KAWANAA CARTER, M.D.

SHERI TRASK & CAROLINE BREEDING

PHIL & JULIE ANGELIDES

WINSTON & BECKY HICKOX

DENNIS & CAROL KANIN

ELK GROVE MILLING

HEFNER, STARK & MAROIS LLP

MOMENTUM

PAUL & FRIEDA
MAISEL FUND

HEFNER, STARK &
MAROIS LLC

DAVID FRANKEL
& KIMBERLY BUSS

COOK BROWN

 CFY DEVELOPMENT

FRED & MARILYN TORNATORE

USA PROPERTIES FUND

TOOLEY OIL COMPANY/ MIX MARKETS

BUMGARNER WINERY

WIRZ FAMILY FUND

LABORERS LOCAL 185

NEW GLORY BREWING

 BOEGER WINERY

The need for comprehensive support for neurodiverse young adults has never been greater. Whether you represent a corporation seeking meaningful community engagement, a local business looking to build an inclusive workforce, or a foundation dedicated to social equity, your partnership can change lives. It starts with a conversation.