Behind Every Number is a Story: Melwood’s FY25 Impact

December 22, 2025

At Melwood, impact isn’t measured only in numbers—it’s measured in lives changed, barriers broken, and futures reimagined. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Melwood Family of Companies continued to prove what’s possible when inclusion is a way of doing business.

More than 1,600 people were employed across Melwood Inc., Melwood Enterprises, and Melwood Community Services in Fiscal Year 2025. Of those, 861 identify as disabled, and nearly 1 in 10 earned a promotion—a powerful reminder that talent and leadership thrive when given the opportunity.

Melwood Community Services supported over 3,474 individuals across 23 programs. Of those, more than 1,700 people turned to Melwood Community Services for support in opening career pathways. Of those we served, more than 55% are neurodivergent or have intellectual and developmental disabilities, underscoring our commitment to meeting people where they are—and helping them go further.

These numbers tell a story of growth, inclusion, and empowerment. But the real impact lives in the people behind them.

Like Cody Hart, who had the education and passion for technology but struggled to find employers who valued his neurodiversity. Through Melwood Community Services’ abilIT program, he gained industry certifications and connected with Enabled Intelligence, where he now works as a data annotator.

Or Delores Howard, who recognized she was living Melwood’s mission her entire life and is devoting her retirement to supporting Melwood through an ongoing, long-term volunteer role.

And Ann Tracy, who found confidence and independence through a hands-on culinary arts course. Her love of cooking became a gateway to deeper connection, self-expression, and pride.

These are just a few of the stories featured in Melwood’s FY25 Annual Report. Each one is a reflection of our mission in motion—and a reminder that behind every number is a name, a journey, and a future made brighter by inclusion.

We encourage you to learn more about Melwood, the work we do, the impact we make and the people we support by reading our FY25 annual report.

Media Inquiries

Melwood Communications Team

Reach out to us at [email protected]

Related news

Jewelyn Cosgrove in The Hill’s Top Lobbyists 2025 List

On Dec. 11, The Hill published their annual list of Top Lobbyists. For the fourth year in a row, Jewelyn Cosgrove, Melwood’s Vice President of Government and Public Relations, made the list. From the story: “Over the past year, K Street players have stared down rapidly evolving tariff regimes, sweeping tax changes, military conflicts, deregulation […]

Nonprofit to create affordable housing units for people with disabilities in VA

Published by NBC4 Washington Melwood has joined forces with Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit affordable housing provider in Northern Virginia, to launch one of the most groundbreaking inclusive housing communities in the country. Together, we’re reimagining what’s possible in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood of Arlington — transforming Melwood’s outdated property into a vibrant, mixed-use community […]

What happens when workforce development removes barriers

What’s the difference between training and transformation? Addressing what’s actually standing in someone’s way. Antonio needed to rebuild confidence after a stroke. Ananiya had a degree but couldn’t land a job. Anyeli was searching for purpose and community. Traditional workforce systems would send each person to different programs at different locations. The WISH (Workforce Innovation […]