Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Sarcadi.
Hi Benjamin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began with a deep frustration at how society marginalizes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, boxing them out of opportunities they deserve. That fire to change things led me to team up with Melissa Spicuzza in 2013, when we co-founded Breaking Barriers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to shattering those limits. Together, we set out to build a world where individuals with disabilities could chase their dreams with real support.
Starting out, Melissa and I were relentless, pouring everything into creating person-centered programs. We launched with Community Integration services, focusing on what each individual needed to succeed, whether that was a job, education, or social connection, as well as 1:1 support. Those early days were tough, scraping by on passion and grit, but we knew we were onto something. By 2020, we took a bold step, partnering with Peer Mental Health to offer training in new media, entertainment, and tech. This wasn’t just about teaching skills, it was about opening doors to careers in industries that rarely make room for people with disabilities.
That partnership lit a spark and brought Blanck Records and is now building a collaboration with BMG Records and Paramount Pictures, to enhance the impact of our joint vocational program. These collaborations will provide our community, and others, access to top-tier training in music production, film, and more, proving that talent knows no barriers. We also work with Regional Centers and the Department of Rehabilitation to secure customized employment, helping people land jobs that fit their strengths.
Today, Breaking Barriers is a powerhouse of inclusion, offering paid internships, mentorship, and programs that transform lives. Melissa’s vision and heart have been crucial every step of the way, and together we’ve built something unstoppable. It’s been a grind, fighting for funding, challenging stereotypes, but every time I see someone with a disability step into a job or shine on stage, I’m reminded why we do this. We’re not slowing down, we’re breaking more barriers every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Hardly. When Melissa Spicuzza and I started Breaking Barriers in 2013, we hit roadblocks at every turn. Funding was a constant battle, scraping by to keep our programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities running. Convincing folks that our participants could shine in jobs or creative fields was tough, fighting stereotypes took grit. Getting partners like Peer Mental Health on board in 2020 for media and tech training meant proving we could deliver. I got more rejections than yeses, but we kept at it, securing expert-led training for our community. Even working with Regional Centers, WorkSource, JVS SoCal, and the Department of Rehabilitation to place people in jobs came with red tape. Melissa and I pushed through, and seeing participants thrive has kept us going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Breaking Barriers empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, independent lives. We specialize in person-centered support, offering 1:1 coaching, customized employment, and community immersion programs. Our collaborative that provides new media, entertainment, and tech certification training programs, through partnerships with Peer Mental Health, Woodbury University, USC Cinematic School of Arts, Blanck Records, BMG Records, and Paramount Pictures, sets us apart, giving participants skills for real careers. We’re known for breaking stereotypes, proving our community can thrive in creative industries. I’m proudest of our brand’s grit, we don’t just talk inclusion, we make it happen with paid internships and job placements through partners like the Westside Regional Center, Department of Rehabilitation. Readers should know we’re about action, transforming lives with tailored services that unlock potential. Our mission is simple, every individual deserves a shot to shine, and we’re here to make it real.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Running Breaking Barriers, demands focus and heart. I lean on resources that keep me sharp. The book Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh inspires me to prioritize purpose over profit, shaping how we empower people with disabilities through programs like our Peer Mental Health Certification Training program. I listen to The Tim Ferriss Show podcast for practical tips from high performers, applying their hacks to streamline nonprofit work. For apps, Evernote keeps my ideas organized, from job placements with Regional Centers and the Department of Rehabilitation to new initiatives. These tools ground me, ensuring I stay driven while transforming lives. I tell our participants, find what sparks you, and use it to push forward every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://breakingbarrierses.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbarrierses
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakingBarriersDevelopmentallyDisabledServices
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC45p-QoYyz7Oy7AWy8erKyg
Image Credits
Featured Image has Arouti Agoupi, Co-Founder of Peer Mental Health, in the middle Benjamin Sarcadi, founder of Breaking Barriers, and Daniel Blanck, founder of Blanck Records.
Breaking Barriers – Melissa-Spicuzza.jpg – Co-Founder of Breaking Barriers
