April, 2024

We want to inform and connect with the entire Job Path community

 so we are all on this path together.

Spotlight: George V.

As last month was the 4 year anniversary of the COVID pandemic lockdown, it was a time to reflect on a difficult period. But for George V. that milestone is also linked to a professional success – winning a New York Emmy Award in 2021.  

George was honored for his segment “Una Familia Vive con COVID-19” which was part of the CUNY-TV show I Am A Dreamer. He worked on the project with fellow producer Gisela Sanders-Alcantara, who he knew from a previous filmmaking class. You can click here to see the piece, which recounts daily life during the pandemic.

“I was so happy to win, and my mom was very, very happy too,” George says. The pandemic, he says, “was the start of a new era, it definitely taught us to do better in these modern times. Every day I go outside and wear a mask because I want to make sure I’m well protected and my family is ok.”

George on the job.

George shows off his award at the Job Path summer picnic.

George, who graduated with a degree in video arts and technology from the Borough of Manhattan Community College in 2018, says he likes sharing his filmmaking with others because “it gives me a sense of comfort. It’s something I enjoy a lot.” 

Asked what makes George good at this work, Sanders-Alcantara says: “He’s very intuitive. What makes him a good filmmaker is his sense of story, his intuition he has with machines and technology.” 

In August, George started working at Verona Carpenter Architects as a communications assistant, updating the website with news and press releases.

“He’s been tackling his tasks and is eager to grow within the role,” says Job Path Employment Specialist Sean McAuliffe.

Charul Punia, project designer at the firm says George takes a lot of pride in his work and isn’t satisfied until everything is perfect. 

"George has a very positive attitude and is always on time and ready to work; he is attentive and willing to try new things," Punia says. "He is a fun co-worker, and we have really enjoyed getting to know him better.

Of his Emmy win, George’s mother Janeth Ramirez says she loves seeing his success.

"I am so grateful for the support received all these years from Job Path for my son, and for giving me the opportunity to work alongside them. For someone with disabilities this is truly a blessing. He worked very hard for so long - I’m so proud.”

Every week, we're sharing more stories like these

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Malachy, seen here profiled in our 2007 newsletter.

It is with a heavy but grateful heart that we include a nod of remembrance to long standing Job Path champion Malachy McCourt, husband to Board Member Diana McCourt. Malachy, who died March 11 at 92, was a vivacious presence everywhere he went. 

According to this article in Irish America, Malachy had “lots to say about current events, often ruffling more than a few conservative feathers. But he was also a committed activist who, in the 1970s, played a role in shutting down the Willowbrook home for children on Staten Island, where rampant abuse had been exposed.”

Malachy wore many titles in his life - author, storyteller, champion of the underdog, bartender, actor, Irishman, and radio host - but most precious to us was “friend.” 

Thanks to everyone who supported, sponsored, and attended the Spring Benefit!

You can click here to see more photos!

This month for our Staff Spotlight we're featuring the people who were honored at the Benefit for our Dan Cunningham Award for Living the Job Path Mission. The nominees are here with CEO Carly Teichman (in blue) - they are (L-R) Danielle Pitarri, DSP in Community Connection; Sean McAuliffe, Employment Specialist; Russell Hill, Meditation Specialist; and the winner, Frantz Gaspard, Supported Living. (Not pictured: Candise Ervin, DSP in Self-Direction.)

In their nominating petitions, supervisors said ...

"Russell embodies the spirit of service and compassion, making a lasting impact on the

lives of all he comes across in his groups." 

"When I think of Frantz, Kintsugi comes to mind. This is the Japanese art of putting broken or cracked pottery back together with gold making them even stronger and creating a different form of beauty. In our department things can get chaotic within seconds. Frantz never shies away from chaos. He assesses the situation and finds routes to remedy the situation in ways others never thought of. As a result, we are left with a lesson, a new way of thinking and a beautiful result."

Honoring Shake Shack

The Consortium and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities join together for the 8th Annual

Customized Employment Award

Last week the Consortium was proud to join with MOPD to present our 8th Annual Customized Employment Award to Shake Shack as a company dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of disabled New Yorkers. 

Click here for the full story!

Teams from the MOPD, CCE, Job Path, and Shake Shack.

As part of our efforts to highlight and celebrate the great diversity within our Job Path community, we will be featuring racial, ethnic, cultural, and identity pride commemorations here each month.

April

• Arab-American Heritage Month - click here for a month of events by the New York Public Library system.
• Autism Acceptance Month
• The Persian Parade on April 21 at 11:30 a.m. Click here for info!

In case you missed it ...

We created this video for the Benefit, but it's a perfect fit for Developmental Disabilities Awareness in March and Autism Acceptance in April.

Staff Anniversaries

Special recognition to staff who celebrated their anniversary at Job Path in March. Thank you for all of the contributions that you have made over the years in making Job Path successful.

Tracey Ramdehal - 23 years

Taijii Dudley - 18 years

James Avanzino - 17 years

Noemi Marrero - 16 years

Cristian Atriz - 7 years

Amerie Vega - 5 years

Jill Lebwohl - 4 years

Annalise Sheslow - 3 years

Frantz Gaspard - 2 years

Daise Guido - 1 year

Kamy're Johnson-Brunson - 1 year

Job Path supports people with autism and other developmental disabilities as they find jobs, live in their own homes, and become involved in community life. To learn more, visit our website.