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Westchester Arc
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(From left) Keynote speaker Janet DiFiore, Westchester County District Attorney; Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director; Anne Majsak, Westchester Arc president, and Marsha Gordon, Westchester Business Council president and CEO.
Westchester Arc Event Honors Employers
Westchester D.A. Janet DiFiore Commends Westchester Arc, Local Businesses for Providing Jobs to People with Disabilities
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| Janet DiFiore |
Speaking at Westchester Arc’s April 18 Employer Recognition Breakfast, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore compared the agency’s mission to that of the D.A.’s office. “We both work hard to build a productive and safe community, and empower the citizens of Westchester,” she told over 150 business and civic leaders gathered at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. “The D.A’ s office is a direct beneficiary of the services provided by Westchester Arc. I am delighted to be a part of this event, and I congratulate businesses and Westchester Arc for their outstanding support of people with disabilities. Together, we are working hard to improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Janet DiFiore was the keynote speaker at the annual event celebrating Westchester Arc’s 39 years of job placement experience and honoring employers who have helped individuals with developmental disabilities build careers (click here for complete list).
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| Bill Ryan |
She was followed by County Legislator, Bill Ryan, (D-White Plains,) who accepted the Civic Partnership Award on behalf of the Westchester County Board of Legislators. “We are very lucky to have the opportunity to employ someone with a disability,” he said. “She has very special abilities and is a very, very important part of our daily operations. I don’t know what we would do without her.”
William Ianari and Angela Malara,
two individuals with disabilities who are longtime employees of Syms in Elmsford, received the Anthony Cannata Memorial Employee Award for inspiring others. Billy unloads deliveries, removes merchandise from boxes and organizes clothing for the display racks, while Angela attends to the needs of the customers using the fitting rooms and straightens up the sales floor. Both are hardworking, dedicated and valued employees.
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| (From Left) Nicholas Douglas, Syms; Angela Malara, award recipient, and Mary Malera. |
Angela’s sister, Mary, thanked Syms and Westchester Arc for “enabling a shy girl to become a full, productive member of society. Because of you, Angela has learned to do things she never would have thought possible.”
“I work with some really nice people. I love my job,” added Angela. “Thank you Westchester Arc, thank you Syms, for this award.”
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| William Ianari, award receipient, celebrated with his family and members of Westchester Arc staff. |
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| The Westchester County Board of Legislators received the Civic Partnership Award from Westchester Arc. |
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| Special thanks to Con Edison for sponsoring the event. (From left) Dan Lyons, Con Edison manager of media relations; Sandy Miller, Con Edison director of public affairs, and Jim O'Toole. |
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| Paul Feiner, supervisor of the Town of Greenburgh, received the Special Appreciation Award. |
Other honorees ranged from retail stores to community organizations and schools. Paul Feiner, supervisor for the town of Greenburgh, received a Special Appreciation Award for his longtime advocacy on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Pat Dowse, vice president of operations for the New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA), presented the Tuckahoe Union Free School District with the 2008 NYSRA Transitional Quality Practices Award. Tuckahoe has a longstanding partnership with Westchester Arc and currently works with the agency’s “Choices” program to provide job-readiness classes and other pre-vocational training to high school students with disabilities.
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| Tuckahoe Union Free School District was presented with the 2008 NYSRA Transitional Quality Practices Award. |
New Business Partnership Award presented to PepsiCo. |
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Bridge to Employment Award presented to Yonkers Community Action Program. |
Special Partnership Award presented to Walgreens. |
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Longstanding Employer Award presented to Mount Kisco Frame Shop. |
Special Advocate Award presented to Village of Mount Kisco. |
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Longstanding Employer Award presented to Food Emporium, Bedford. |
Business Partnership Award presented to Westchester One Club. |
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Special Advocate Award presented to Whole Foods Market, White Plains. |
Special Advocate Award presented to Flik Independent Schools by Chartwells at Manhatanville College. |
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New Business Partnership Award presented to Bronx County Clerks Office. |