November, 2025

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

 so we are all on this path together.

Job Path's Employer Partners recognized for their dedication by state, city agencies

We're thrilled to say that three Job Path employer partners were honored in October as part of NDEAM - National Disability Employment Awareness Month - by New York State’s ACCES-VR and the city agencies - the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Talent and Workforce Development, and Small Business Services. To read more, click here. Thank you & Congrats!

Bronx Defenders

"Creating inclusive workplaces benefits all of us. It strengthens our teams, deepens our sense of community, and reminds us that the work we do is about people — real people — showing up together in purpose and care."

-Marterra Walker, Managing Director of Administration.

CAC Industries

"By welcoming people of all abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives, we don’t just build a better team, we build a stronger, more innovative organization."

-Diana Rangel, Employee Experience. Photo L-R ACESS-VR's Kseniya Palishchuk, CAC's Lorraine Marrero, Diana, and Job Path's Associate Executive Director, Aimee Althoff.

The Frick Collection

"All any of us want is a good job we can go to every day that is fulfilling, where we feel like we are making an impact and are building a community - and we have such a community at the Frick, which is incredible."

-Chief Human Resources Officer Dana Spencer Winfield, seen with ACCES-VR's Cherise Davis and Job Path's Aimee Althoff.

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A "DREAM" to present in Albany

Jaide (center) with Job Path's Associate Executive Director, Aimee Althoff, left and participant Will F., right. Below, Emanuel speaks to the audience. Photos by Grace Govan and Dalia Nieto.

A contingent from Job Path was in Albany October 28 for the New York State DREAM Symposium, which was sponsored by a coalition of more than a dozen state agencies, including the New York State Office of the Chief Disability Officer. The panel was “Making the Right Match through Customized Employment: Journeys to Meaningful Work.” 

Jaide has worked at Saks Fifth Avenue stocking luxury goods for 4 years - a job she said she enjoys for the challenge and the outlet for artistic creativity. She was joined by Job Path's Aimee Althoff and Rachel Pollack, along with Emanuel P., who has been an assistant stage door attendant at New World Stages for 14 years, and Will F., who has worked at the media company Audacy for 16 years doing a variety of clerical and other tasks.

A popular presence in the office, Will said: “You treat people right, and they’ll treat you with respect - that’s the key thing.” 

Emanuel said the thing he enjoyed most about the panel was that the audience listened and asked thoughtful questions. During the discussion, he said that his job allows him to combine his passion for theater with practical skills: “I want to make the theater experience enjoyable for both performers and the audience.”

JP team makes a "dramatic" connection

A team from Job Path's employment program presented at the annual Community Forum held by The Alliance of Resident Theaters/New York, a nonprofit that assists and supports more than 400 theater members throughout the city. 

"I was particularly excited to hear how Job Path partners with both the employer and the employee to guide and champion everyone through this process at every step of the way - even years into an employee's time at an organization," says Danielle King, Director of Program Services for A.R.T.

"Hearing how different organizations have structured their Customized Employment to align with their business model and set an employee up for success helped me imagine how this could work at our own organization."

The panel included (L-R) from Job Path - Elizabeth Beaubrun and Johnadam Haridopolos, Jeffrey Shubart from the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Elliot Fishman from Chickenshed Theater, Robert Sheridan from Job Path, and Chickenshed employee and Job Path participant Michael L. Photo thanks to A.R.T./New York.

At the panel, members of the Job Path team also talked about how our customized employment process has worked with the inclusive theater company Chickenshed, where Michael L. has worked for more than three years.  

“I really thought being on the panel was an amazing opportunity - I love self advocating to all my peers,” Michael says. “I love working with theater and entertainment. I’m glad I have the opportunity to work with Chickenshed NYC every semester throughout the years and the staff I work with.”

A day to show thanks to our Direct Support Professionals!

We celebrated our annual Direct Support Professionals day this year on October 17. (Formerly known as Support Workers University!) In addition to improv workshops led by JP staff Anson Chen and Michelle Chu, there were chair massages, yoga, a health fair, catered lunch, and a chance to recognize some incredible DSPs! 

"You make growth, learning, and independence possible for the people we serve.

You bring patience and creativity to every challenge and help people discover what’s possible — highlighting that everyone has abilities and strengths to share."

-Carly Teichman, CEO

Top: Photo booth fun. Bottom: One of two yoga sessions that were offered.

Top: Improv games. Bottom: Our closing ceremony included a group tree pose.

Honors for our amazing staff

Last week, I shared the exciting news that we've started implementing our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. Guided by the voices of our families, participants, and partners, we've targeted five vital priorities for the next three years. This strategic focus will enable us to work smarter, grow stronger, and deepen our impact. You can click here to see more details. I look forward to sharing our progress with you on this journey! 

Connecting to Comic Con

Amanda M., a longtime member of the Job Path community in Employment and Community Connections, took her annual trip to NYC's Comic Con and got a chance to meet her favorite pro wrestler Matt Cardona, seen here.

Photo thanks to Arianny Dominguez Acosta. Interview by Kelly Deegan.

Save the date!

We'll celebrate the annual day of charitable giving on Dec. 2 from 4-7 p.m. with our Giving Tuesday Cheers for a Cause event at Ernie O'Malley's bar, where 30% of proceeds will benefit Job Path!

In case you missed it ...

As of this week, SNAP food assistance benefits are not being funded, so we wanted to share some resources.

• New York State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has put together an FAQ with more information on the situation here: SNAP Benefits Shutdown.
• If SNAP benefits are not funded, OTDA recommends that all SNAP households continue to complete all SNAP requirements, including recertification, periodic reports, and reporting changes.
• To find food banks and food pantries in your area, go to Feeding America or Find Help.

November: 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.

Native American Heritage Month

Staff Anniversaries

Special recognition to staff who celebrated their anniversary at Job Path in October.

Thank you for all of the contributions that you have made over the years in making Job Path successful.

Crecida Norris - 21 years

Carolyn Murphy - 17 years

Rhonda Ndem - 10 years

Cathy Sobers - 7 years

Kyle Campbell - 7 years

Wendy Banner - 7 years

Sean McAuliffe - 5 years

Jonathan Good - 4 years

Ebony Derr - 4 years

Amy Robles - 4 years

Lucas Ayala - 2 years

Grace Govan - 2 years

Nadia Dobel - 2 years

Brian Cruz - 1 year

Ralph Omampo - 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.