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Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
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Press Release
Business Council CEO Marsha Gordon Promotes Hiring People With Disabilities
Westchester ARC Honors Employers
WHITE PLAINS, New York, March 14, 2005 — Over 130 community leaders, representing business, government and education, attended Westchester ARC’s 11th annual Employer Recognition Breakfast on March 11 at the Doubletree Hotel Tarrytown. “The number one concern of businesses is the ability to have the right people in the right job,” declared keynote speaker Marsha Gordon, CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “They want employees who are motivated and well trained, and we know that Westchester ARC consumers are an integral part of our workforce….People with disabilities have been, and will continue to be, contributors to the economic growth of Westchester County."
Westchester ARC is the largest organization in the county serving people of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. The event honored over 20 individuals and groups for partnering with the agency to provide jobs for people with disabilities. (See complete list, below.)
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) sent greetings. “I commend the many enlightened employers who hire people with disabilities,” read her message to assembled guests. “In hiring these people, you are assisting them to improve their lives, and you continue to strengthen the quality of life in Westchester.”
Richard Sklarin of O’Connor, Redd, Gollihue & Sklarin, LLP, who accepted a New Business Partnership Award, talked of “the joy and enthusiasm that (employees with developmental disabilities) bring to our workplace and their real dedication to life.”
Michael Flanagan of Boies, Schiller, and Flexner, LLP, received a Special Advocate Award for his support of eight people with disabilities who have worked for the law firm since 2002. Referring to how much they have in common with other employees, he observed, “I see them in meetings with their supervisors and it sounds like democracy. I overhear their small talk in the hallways and their discussions of hot topics in the news. It’s our job to ‘see’ these individuals and to include them, to advocate for them in any way we can.”
Steve Palm of the Westchester Restaurant Group also received a Special Advocate Award for involving people with disabilities in A Matter of Taste, a fundraiser that he co-chaired on behalf of The Westchester ARC Foundation. He trained Michael Greenebaum and Darnell Winfield at his restaurant, Underhills Crossing, Bronxville, where they learned to greet customers, clear dishes and tidy up after diners. In addition to receiving his own award, Mr. Palm presented plaques to Mr. Greenebaum and Mr. Winfield.
Sal Carrera, Director of Economic Development for Westchester County, received the Government Partnership Award for helping to introduce Westchester ARC to new businesses in the community.
VESID (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities), a government agency, was honored with a Civic Partnership Award. VESID provides job training and other services to individuals with developmental disabilities and was key to Westchester ARC’s placing 58 individuals in jobs during the past 12 months.
The Anthony Cannata Memorial Employee Award, given to individuals who have served as role models for others with disabilities, was shared by Mr. Greenebaum and Deborah Dempsey. Mr. Greenebaum has worked at Neiman Marcus’s Zodiac Restaurant for 19 years, and Ms. Dempsey has been employed by the Pace University Environmental Center for nearly 20 years. She has cared for livestock, goats, sheep, snake and even exotic falcons.
Westchester ARC, established over 50 years ago, is a family-focused agency offering opportunities to individuals with disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. The agency has long advocated social inclusion for people with disabilities because of its wide-ranging benefits to the entire community. Westchester ARC is funded through both public and private means.
2005 Employer Award Winners - March 11, 2005
GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Awardee: Sal Carrera, Director of Economic Development for Westchester County
Presented to an individual who has provided outstanding support to employment programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
NEW BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Awardees: O’Connor, Redd, Gollihue & Sklarin, LLP; Trader Joe’s, Hartsdale; Trader Joe’s, Scarsdale
Presented to a business that has created employment opportunities through a strategic, first-time relationship with Westchester ARC.
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Awardees:Byram Hills Central School District; Mount Vernon High School; Tuckahoe School District; Valhalla School District
Presented to a school system that, in partnership with Westchester ARC’s career planning services, has supported students entering the workforce.
SPECIAL ADVOCATE AWARD
Awardees: Michael Flanagan, Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP;
Maureen McLaughlin, The Food Emporium;
Steven Palm, The Westchester Restaurant Group;
Michael Tartaglia, Modell’s Sporting Goods;
Wally Urtz, A&P
Presented to an individual for personal involvement in “championing” Westchester ARC's efforts to employ persons with disabilities.
CIVIC PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Awardee: VESID (Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities)
Presented to a government organization that provides employment opportunities to Westchester ARC consumers.
EMPLOY MENT DEVELOPMENT A WARD
Awardees: PETCO Hartsdale; Starbucks, Yorktown; Starbucks, Mount Kisco
Presented to a business that has provided training to Westchester ARC consumers for many years.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWARD
Awardees: Club Fit; Town of Bedford; Town of North Castle
Presented to an organization that has created enhanced work opportunities for Westchester ARC consumers.
LONG-STANDING EMPLOYER AWARD
Awardees: Pace University Environmental Center; The Food Emporium, Rye; Stop & Shop, Mamaroneck; Stop & Shop, Yonkers
Presented to a business that has been providing work to Westchester ARC consumers for an extended period of time.
Anthony Cannata Memorial Employee Award
Awardees: Deborah Dempsey and Michael Greenebaum
Presented to an individual whose hard work and dedication set an example for all Westchester consumers.
Special Appreciation
Awardees: Michael Greenebaum and Darnell Winfield
Presented in recognition of their hard work at Westchester ARC Foundation's annual fundraiser, A Matter of Taste, October 26, 2004.
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