July, 2025

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

 so we are all on this path together.

A day in the life in Supported Living

Whether it’s Monday night bowling or special events like a trip to the butterfly exhibit at the Museum of Natural History, Cornell D. and Steven H. are always ready for a good time. They’re also seen here enjoying a visit to the Intrepid Museum and having Cinco de Mayo tacos. (Not pictured: Wednesday night ice cream and Friday Movie Night!) Photos thanks to their support staff Chris Brown, Tisa French, Tamesha Coleman, Elizabeth Williams, and Mary Cedillo.

Caleb Ricke, Fiscal Intermediary Assistant  

Years at Job Path: 7 years this June.

One Thing People Might Not Know About You: I love golf (but I’m terrible at it).

Memorable Moment at Job Path: One day in the dead of summer as I was coming into the office, the AC was blasted and (Intake Coordinator) Carolann Granata had (IT manager) Joel Saperstein put a snowy cabin scene on the projector in the conference room so we could all go in and pretend it wasn’t boiling hot outside. 

The sense of community throughout Job Path and all its departments is unlike anywhere else. Whether in person, online or through email, you feel a sense of camaraderie. A workplace environment like that is so special. 

Something You're Reading, Watching, or Listening to Right Now:

Reading: Just finished The Only One Left by Riley Sager - great murder mystery, easy page turner. I also finally got around to reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - totally worth the hype.

Watching: I’m so overwhelmed with how behind on tv shows I am that recently I’ve just ended up watching like comfort comedy movies at night. Something with Melissa McCarthy usually does the trick. 

Listening: I’m really not a podcast person but I just started listening to Amy Poehler’s new podcast Good Hang. It’s great. 

Hobby, Skill, or Knowledge That Helps You at Job Path: Not being afraid to ask a million and one questions (apologies to my supervisor Alison Smith!)

Save the Date: JP events this summer

On July 12 at 1:30 p.m. Job Path's Poets, Of Course group will return to the prestigious festival on Governor's Island. They will be located on The Algonquin stage and you can see more details by clicking here. Photo below of last year's knockout performance!

On Thursday July 17 at 1 p.m. the NYC Dept. of Transportation will host a virtual info session to give people with disabilities and older adults the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to confidently navigate New York's transportation network. Click here to register and get the link.

On Thursday Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. we'll be hosting Job Path's annual summer picnic for participants and staff. For arranging support or transportation, participants, please speak with your Program Coordinator or Employment Specialist/Counselor.

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act - the landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in many areas of public life. But as we mark milestones, we also must remain focused on both the present and the future.

I really enjoyed this NPR interview with Harvard health policy researcher Ari Ne'eman, who also founded the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and is working on a book about the disability rights movement.

I was fascinated to learn from the interview that in 2020 the United States spent $418 million on autism research, but only about 8.5% of that went to research on how to improve the quality of the services and supports for autistic people.

He says: “And I think it's unfortunate — not because there isn't the role for research on the causation of autism, but because there's an imbalance. When the average autistic person or family member of an autistic person wakes up in the morning, they don't ask themselves, "Have they found a new biomarker yet?" They ask, "Are there better strategies available to help me or my loved one live independently, to be included in the workplace, to be in the general education classroom?" And we really owe it to people to have a research agenda that is in some way responsive to that.”

I’m glad that at Job Path, every day we’re focused on those vital questions of how people with autism and other developmental disabilities can thrive in all aspects of life. 

In case you missed it

We’re always posting fun stories on our social media feeds! It’s a great way to stay in touch with all things Job Path - like this photo that showed how we got a head start on the Puerto Rican Heritage Day parade with a dance party featuring Juan and friends.

Every week, we're sharing more stories like these

on our social media platforms.

Please follow, like, and share!

July: 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.

French American Heritage Month 

Disability Pride Month

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act: / National Disability Independence Day on July 26

Staff Anniversaries

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

Carly Teichman - 18 years

Carole Weekes - 12 years

Tamesha Coleman - 11 years

Evan Gozali - 8 years

Caleb Ricke - 7 years

Lee Colt - 5 years

Russell Hill - 5 years

Joel Rosario - 4 years

Kayla Morman - 2 years

Douglas Hornan Soto - 2 years

Ashley Noh - 1 year

Jacob Shannon - 1 year

Do you know someone who would be a great member of the Job Path team?

Click here for our list of open positions in Employment, Community Connections, Supported Living, and Self-Direction Services.

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.