March, 2024

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

 so we are all on this path together.

Employer spotlight: Paul, Weiss

On any given day, the midtown law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a bustling place - home to more than 1,000 lawyers who work in fields from private equity to white collar defense and connect to colleagues around the globe. 

Within that hive of activity you'll also find five Job Path participants, most of whom have worked in roles with the firm for more than a decade. It’s one of the reasons we’re proud to honor Paul, Weiss as Job Path’s Employer of the Year at our Benefit this month. 

2005

Joe Noberini (left) and Todd from the archives of the newsletter.

Currently, Todd I. (18 years at Paul, Weiss) and Josh W. (12 years) can be found delivering packages throughout the building, Kenny J. (13 years) and another participant work in maintenance, and Terrence L. (17 years) supports the Records Department. And these are only a few of our participants who have worked at Paul, Weiss over the years. In fact, the firm is one of Job Path’s longest-standing employers, having hired their first participant two decades ago. 

“We are proud to have partnered with Job Path for more than 20 years,” said Eric Sekler, Chief Operating Officer of Paul, Weiss. “Our current and former Job Path employees are incredible additions to our strong team of Business Professionals and have done a fantastic job supporting the firm, especially throughout our recent period of growth.”

Joe Noberini led Paul, Weiss’ mailroom for more than 40 years before retiring in 2021, giving him decades of partnership with Job Path and our participants. (The mailroom is now managed by the outsourcing firm Williams Lea, another proud supporter of Job Path’s mission.) 

“I am very proud of the Paul, Weiss partnership with Job Path,” he says. “They encouraged people; gave them direction, tools, positive reinforcement, and the confidence to be able to succeed.”

“Since the beginning of Job Path’s partnership with Paul, Weiss, the firm has repeatedly proven its unwavering commitment to Job Path and to our participants,” says Jim Avanzino, Job Path’s Director of Employment, Extended Services.

Taiijii Dudley, employment counselor, and Terrence. She says it's been a successful partnership "because we work as a team and want the best for all the individuals who work here."

Asked what they like about their jobs, Josh and Todd both say they like the people they work with and the chance to make the rounds to say hello to people as they drop off mail and packages. (Josh gives bonus points to the food in the firm’s cafeteria - a plus for any job.) Terrence says he likes the sense of a job well done and enjoys being a team player. 

Mike Gomez, Paul, Weiss’ Mail/Messenger Manager, says that Josh and Todd are well-liked by their teams. 

“Todd loves to greet his team and myself when he arrives to work with a fist bump, and Joshua has an outgoing, friendly, and cordial personality,” Gomez says. “They contribute daily to the success of the Mail Services department at Paul, Weiss.” 

In addition to the profile of our 2024 Employer of the Year - Paul, Weiss - I’m happy to highlight our two honorees, Rachel Pollock and Michael Callahan. 

Rachel’s influence has impacted every department of Job Path in so many ways for 25 years and counting. As COO and general counsel, she was instrumental in implementing the customized employment approach that’s at the heart of Job Path’s work.  

As for Michael, his work with the consulting firm Marc Gold & Associates has been transformational at Job Path and around the world. He’s the creator of the practice and terminology of “discovery,” as it pertains to customized employment. 

You can click here to read the full profiles of our honorees. We can’t wait to celebrate them at our 2024 Benefit on March 26. Thanks so much to everyone who has bought tickets, supported, and sponsored. If you have yet to join, I hope you can! 

An anniversary celebration: Shake Shack

2016

Maria Z. celebrated her 8-year anniversary at Shake Shack this winter. 

“I feel wonderful because I am learning new skills at work,” says Maria, who adds that her people skills are her best attribute at work. 

“Every time I am at work, I love that I have so much support from my managers and teammates,” she says. “When I need help they are right there to answer whatever questions I have, or whatever problems I have with requests in the dining room.”

Job Path’s Employment Specialist Maria Mercado credits Maria’s attention to detail and her proactive approach to problem solving on the job. 

“Her unwavering commitment to maintenance and customer service has played a crucial role in creating a positive and welcoming environment for both customers and her colleagues,” Mercado says. 

From now until July as we celebrate this exciting anniversary we'll be sharing "45 years - 45 stories."

Maria Z. on the job. Photo by Job Path's Maria Mercado.

What does 45 years of Job Path mean to you?

Attention participants, families, staff, employers, and supporters: As part of our upcoming Spring Benefit, we are creating a special anniversary video and we want to hear from you!

Take a video of yourself answering this simple question: What 1-3 words come to mind when you think of Job Path? (For example, "Job Path means freedom!" or "When I think of Job Path I think of community and belonging.")

Email the video to us, and we'll combine them all together to make one fantastic showing of what Job Path is all about. If you want to participate - thank you!

• Take your video in a horizontal format, in a good amount of light, and in a quiet place.
• Email your video to jhughes@jobpathnyc.org by March 14.
• We'll play the video at the Benefit but will also share it in the newsletter and on social media.

March

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Greek American Heritage Month: Astoria, Queens has dozens of Greek eateries & shops.

Irish American Heritage Month: Check out the Irish American Historical Society .

Women's History Month: Don't forget about the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument.

In case you missed it

In honor of February's Black History Month and as we continue to celebrate our 45th Anniversary, we wanted to look to the past and the future as we talked to Emily Ellis, who was Job Path’s Deputy Director from 1978 to 2005 and Nichelle Hemphill, who joined as a DSP in November 2023.

Click here to read the full story.

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.

Every week, we're sharing more stories like these

on our social media platforms.

Please follow, like, and share!

Staff Anniversaries

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

Carolann Granata - 29 years

Sue McMillan - 19 years

Richard Hammerstein - 7 years

Katelin Pierce - 6 years

Dismary Acosta Hernandez - 1 year

Lotus Lien - 1 year

Raven Lopez - 1 year

Mandy Winchester - 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.