CAREERS for People with Disabilities (CAREERS) celebrated 26 years and 214 successful clients at their Annual Anniversary Celebration, sponsored by PepsiCo Enable and The Standard and held at the White Plains Crowne Plaza on September 24th.
The event highlighted the success of CAREERS clients; individuals with disabilities who have been successfully trained and placed in jobs throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties, as well as offering thanks to corporate and foundation sponsors. For sustaining CAREERS’ supported work programs, Awards of Appreciation were given to BJ’s Charitable Foundation, Costco, Hitachi Metals America, the Hitachi Foundation, H.O.P.E for Youth Foundation, Hudson City Savings Bank, TD Bank, The United Way of Westchester & Putnam and Wells Fargo. Other contributing event sponsors were honored including Curry Automotive, Chappaqua’s Marianne & Patrick Brown, The Kitson Law Firm, ShopRite Supermarkets and Universal American.
“Special thanks to the many employers who give our clients the opportunity to prove that abilities far outweigh disabilities. You make a real difference every day for your employees and the community and have helped make CAREERS the most successful supported work program in the area,” CAREERS Executive Director Tina Cornish-Lauria said. “We are proud to offer these services free of charge to disabled individuals and their employers.”
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale was named Employer of the Year for their accommodating and enthusiastic support of CAREERS client Frank DeSimone, an IHM staff member for seven years. Candice Sciarrillo, manager of Carmel Cinema, received the Supervisor of the Year Award for her advocacy on behalf of three CAREERS’ clients, including implementing sensitivity training for all staff. CAREERS’ client Nick Simon was named “Employee of the Year” for his outstanding performance at the White Plains Target, where he has worked for ten years.
Also honored with the Outstanding Program Support Award was Greg Lau, Case Manager and Transition Coordinator for the City School District of New Rochelle. Barry Creighton from A & P in Greenburgh was named Co-Worker of the Year for his ongoing support and friendship with CAREERS client John Lefurgy.
About CAREERS for People with Disabilities, Inc.
CAREERS’ mission is to insure disabled individuals find sustained, meaningful employment in the communities in which they live. Since 1987, CAREERS has made over 2,200 job placements and provided support services to well over 6,000 people with disabilities in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Already in 2013, CAREERS has placed 90 people in new jobs — a 58% increase over last year at this time.
For more information on CAREERS programs for disabled individuals or employers in need of qualified help, contact CAREERS’ Valhalla office, which serves central and lower Westchester at 914-741-8500, or the Carmel office, which serves northern Westchester and Putnam Counties, at 845-225-8007. For more information, please visit www.careersforpeoplewithdisabilities.org, or friend us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CAREERSforPeople.
