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We want to inform and connect with the entire Job Path community
so we are all on this path together.
| | Honors for "Making a Difference" | | Job Path and participant Derek H. were among the nominees at last week’s Felix Awards, an annual celebration held by Extreme Kids & Crew to recognize “neurodivergent individuals who make a difference in their community.” | | |
Extreme Kids & Crew offers play-based arts, culture, and other programming for neurodivergent young people and their families.
Derek was recognized for his job working at The New York Transit Museum, where he has been employed since 2019 in the Visitor Experience Department. There he shares with guests his vast knowledge and passion for all things transit.
“It was tremendous,” Derek says of the award night. “It was really fun.”
| | Derek shared a selfie from the awards. | | Derek showing off his yo-yo skills at the event. Photo thanks to Extreme Kids and Crew. | | |
Derek says he loves his job because it gives him an opportunity to share his knowledge of trains with other fans.
“I always like meeting new visitors from around the world and to learn their heritage,” he says. “I get to share the love of trains with them if they are enthusiastic and someone who wants to have a good time here.”
His favorite train is the R211 series T, which the layperson might recognize as the newest trains on the line.
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“It’s more accessible, and it provides for good social distancing, and it’s easier to find a good seat,” he says.
Job Path’s Associate Executive Director Aimee Althoff, who also attended the awards, says it was a great night to see so many people celebrated.
“Derek does such a great job at the Transit Museum, and we’re so glad to see him and the other nominees recognized for their hard work, accomplishments, and advocacy,” she says.
The nominee ultimately chosen for the Felix Award was Grace Yang from The Center for All Abilities, which offers creative arts and community programs. The other nominees were Elisa Huberman from Pure Vision Arts and Tara Zajkowski from Pawsability, a nonprofit that helps people with autism train for careers in pet services.
Although he was not the winner, Derek says he was happy to congratulate Grace and the others: “I invited them to come to the museum to learn more about our legendary subway system.”
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Job dedication recognized
for longtime employee
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Last month Ernesto F. was one of the employees honored at an annual luncheon by The Center for Family Support, where he works as an administrative assistant.
“I was very happy I received the award," he says. "My mom is going to put it in a frame, and I’ll hang it in my room, so I’m very happy about that.”
Ernesto was named Employee of the Month in March 2024, and in October he’ll celebrate 15 years on the job.
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“Working alongside my colleagues is the best part of my job, and it feels good to be appreciated.”
-Ernesto
| | | Ernesto has had several jobs that featured his computer skills. He's seen here in a historical Job Path photo working on a desktop in 1997 at a previous employer. | | |
“He’s definitely a people person - everyone in the office really enjoys talking to him,” says Ernesto’s supervisor and CFS Operations Manager, Carolyn Giambastiani.
“He’s extremely disciplined and such a charm to work with. He’s focused and gets the job done,” she says. “He’s persistent too - if he doesn’t get something he’ll keep trying until he gets it.”
Ernesto agrees that his focus is one of his strengths as well as what he says is his skill to “ask, listen, and learn.” His advice? “If you run into problems, listen to the recommendations to solve them, and then learn for next time.”
| | Community and Group Specialist in Community Connections | | Maria at a recent gathering of the New Path social group, dancing with Casey. Photo by Yoselyn Perez. | | |
Years at Job Path: 1 year
Favorite Thing About Job Path: There are so many things I love about working here! One of the most inspiring aspects is that many of the departments are led by incredible women. It’s empowering to be part of a workplace where “girl power” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a reality. This is the first company I’ve worked for where women lead the majority of departments, and that’s truly special.
| I also love the joy I get to bring to our participants. This work gives me a deep sense of personal fulfillment. It's so much more than just a job. I genuinely enjoy getting to know our participants and their families. Building those connections means everything to me. | | |
One Thing People Might Not Know: I’m an aspiring lawyer. My passion for law was sparked by the challenges I’ve seen when insurance companies deny coverage for essential services like treatment and accessible equipment. I believe medical care should be a right—not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. When I had to pay out of pocket for an evaluation for my son, I realized just how unaffordable these services can be. I thought, “Only the rich can afford proper evaluations and treatment. Something has to change.” That’s why I want to be part of that change.
Something You're Reading, Watching, or Listening to Right Now: Right now, I’m diving into research on private high school admissions for my son. It's a whole new world! On the music side, I’ve been loving jazz artist Samara Joy. She’s absolutely phenomenal!
Hobby, Skill, or Knowledge That Helps You at Job Path: I spent many years as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), which taught me how to create meaningful and engaging activities for participants. Also being a mother to a child with a disability has given me deep compassion, admiration and a powerful drive to advocate for and support this community. These life experiences shape how I approach my work every single day.
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Congratulations to Willow Baer, who was confirmed May 21 by the New York State Senate to serve as the Commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. You can read her statement here.
Of the many things that makes me hopeful about her at the helm at OPWDD is her creation of a new Office of Advocacy, which employs several people with a developmental disability to offer their perspective and expertise.
Advocacy and self-advocacy is so crucial in our field, and if you are not already, I’d urge you to follow OPWDD and other organizations in the disability sphere to keep up with current issues where we can all lend our voices. Another incredibly valuable resource for advocacy is The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation. I’m so grateful for their work.
| | In case you missed it ... | | |
Saturday June 14
The annual Get Outdoors & Get Together Day at Dept. of Environmental Conservation facilities and State Park Lands to bring people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds together for fun, healthful activities as part of the Governor's initiative to Get Offline, Get Outside, and to ensure inclusivity of access to state public lands.
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We are close to our goal - you can help! | | You might have seen a recent email from our Board Chair Gary Mayerson about our End of Fiscal year fundraising drive. As he said: "It's so essential that we dig deep to support Job Path as it continues to make this world a better and more inclusive place for the most vulnerable among us." Your tax-deductible gift at the link here will do just that - with every dollar supporting New Yorkers with autism and other developmental disabilities who receive our services. Thank you! | | | June: 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. | | |
Mens Health Month
Philipine Independence Day Parade
Juneteenth
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Caribbean American Heritage Month
Immigrant Heritage Month
Pride
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Staff Anniversaries
Special recognition to staff who celebrated their anniversary at Job Path in May. Thank you for all of the contributions that you have made over the years in making Job Path successful.
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Marcia Massop - 17 years
Abby Schatten - 14 years
Nadia Khazraee - 8 years
Alison Smith - 8 years
Lee Weiner - 8 years
Jessika Warner-McCoy - 8 years
Johnadam Haridopolos - 7 years
Irene Burgos - 3 years
Elizabeth Scholnick - 2 years
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Ben Wollner - 2 years
Takisha Taylor - 2 years
Hadja Kromah - 2 years
Michelle Chu - 1 year
Alexander Mohabir - 1 year
Essence Picart - 1 year
Vladimir Celicourt - 1 year
Lolita Galapon - 1 year
Wai Man Wong - 1 year
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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 employees are encouraged to participate in our Employee Referral Bonus Program, which rewards the employees who make successful referrals with $400. Contact hr@jobpathnyc.org for more information.
| | | 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. | | We created this video for our 2024 Benefit, but it's a perfect celebration of what we do! | | | | |
