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We want to inform and connect with the entire Job Path community
so we are all on this path together.
| | Finding your story through tech | | |
“Oscar uses filmmaking and interviews to connect with people, build relationships, and share stories. What began during the isolation of the pandemic grew into documentary projects that support Oscar's communication, creativity, independence, and community participation. His story shows how technology can become more than a tool. It can open doors to friendship, learning, travel, and purpose.”
-Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence
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When looking to feature someone who personifies how technology can be used to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities, Oscar S. was a natural choice.
Oscar's day job is with Shake Shack, where Job Path has supported him for more than 10 years.
| | But he's also the host of his own YouTube program "The Oscar Show" and creator of a documentary “My Independent Life,” which has more than 1,500 views on the platform. | |
“Oscar has the chutzpah of a true New Yorker.”
-Joan H. Beasley, Oscar’s research partner
| | Oscar was selected to be part of a six-video series - Cultural Perspectives on Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - a documentary-style short video series developed as part of the Partnership for Systems Change Project by Georgetown’s NCCC and the NY State Office of People With Developmental Disabilities. | | |
The video series explores six themes; in addition to Oscar’s video about assistive technology, there are stories about how culture shapes advocacy, meaningful employment, and mental health issues.
In Oscar’s video, with a backdrop of jazzy music and aerial views of the city, he talks about his love of filmmaking and interviewing people as a way to connect with the world around him. He says he really enjoyed the whole filming process and hopes it draws more people to his YouTube channel.
| | Oscar, in a still from the video. | | |
“It was very exciting. I was so happy,” he says. “I really put myself out there, but I love doing films.”
Beasley and Tawara D. Goode, with the NCCC, say Oscar was selected to be featured in the series because he has a true interest in and ability to connect with people. That’s something Job Path has seen for more than a decade, as we’ve seen him grow in his role at work.
"Oscar is such a well known and loved participant at Job Path," says SEMP counselor Amanda Wisner, who has supported him at work for almost a year. "Over the last 10 years at Shake Shack he continues to prove himself as someone who brings a friendly energy to the team and helpfulness to the customers."
| | We just finished Disability Pride Month in July - although pride, visibility, access, and belonging are themes we celebrate every month here at Job Path. Those themes came to mind when I saw some highlights from our Employment team’s recent appearance on the podcast for the New York City Bar Association's Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. | | If you missed the podcast episode - it’s fantastic - you can see it here. These are some of the quotes from the episode that we shared on our social media as we marked the 36th anniversary celebration of the Americans With Disabilities Act on July 26. No matter how many years pass from that milestone legislation, it remains a bedrock to our work here and to an independent life for so many people | |
Every week, we're sharing more stories like these
on our social media platforms.
Please follow, like, and share!
| | Save the date: Improv show dates set | | Artwork a joint project between Job Path's Art and Improv groups. | | |
The Zakaa Rollers Sketch Comedy Show aims to amplify marginalized voices, uplift the disabled, de-stigmatize developmental disabilities and foster a deeper understanding within the community through the shared language of comedy.
Saturday Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
Click here to RSVP
Wednesday Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.
Click here to RSVP
Saturday Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.
Click here to RSVP
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Thanks ...
... to everyone who attended our Cheers for a Cause Happy Hour on July 29. It was great to get together with Job Path staff, friends, and supporters for an evening, and thanks to our hosts Seven Sins.
If you know of a bar that might be interested in hosting us for our Fall Cheers event, contact Jen Hughes at jhughes@jobpathynyc.org.
| | | August: 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. | | Women’s Equality Day - August 26 | |
Staff Anniversaries
Special recognition to staff who celebrated their anniversary at Job Path in July.
Thank you for all of the contributions that you have made over the years in making Job Path successful.
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Sherese Bullock - 19 years
Anderilla Bennett - 14 years
Frezzell Brewer - 14 years
Phyllis Schinz-Devico - 12 years
Mary Cedillo - 11 years
Gabriella Badaracco - 9 years
Rayquan Ethridge - 8 years
Kelly Deegan - 8 years
Monica Boston - 7 years
Bryant Yee - 5 years
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Timothy Murphy - 4 years
Fatumata Bah - 3 years
Ariel Gold - 3 years
Natasha Donegan - 1 year
Nicola Forbes - 1 year
Kimona Hewitt - 1 year
Julianna D'Amico - 1 year
Rugiatu Bundu - 1 year
Zoe Prawda - 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. | | |
Follow us on social media. | | | | |
