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We want to inform and connect with the entire Job Path community
so we are all on this path together.
| | Special Olympics athlete goes the distance | | |
Kevin M. has a simple explanation for why he likes sports so much: “I like swimming because I can go as fast as I can. Coach told me once ‘Wow! This kid is fast!’ ”
At a recent New Path Community Connections group Kevin showed off his most recent Special Olympics medals, earned at a June statewide swim meet. In addition to swimming, he has also played floor hockey, a sport that has since evolved into floor ball - which begins its season in the Fall.
| | Photos thanks to Kevin's family and Job Path's Maria Sepulveda. | Kevin joined Special Olympics in 2007, and his coach John Hutchins said he's got a knack for picking up coaching cues, has a natural athletic ability and good hand-to-eye coordination. In addition, he's always cheering on teammates and mentors beginning swimmers on the team. | | |
“He gives 100% of himself learning new skills and drills to improve his game," Hutchins says. “Most important, he loves to compete and enjoys the challenge of competition.”
When he's not competing, Kevin enjoys his job at Home Depot, where he works in the garden center. His mother Susan says he's always been athletic and that she's enjoyed watching him get exercise and feel accomplished through sports.
"It’s a feeling of family," she said. "Everyone is always happy for each other."
| | An employment milestone for Oscar | | | | |
Near the end of a recent shift at the Forest Hills, Queens Shake Shack, Oscar S. was sweeping a crumpled straw wrapper into a dustbin when he noticed a customer in the back sitting with a small child on her lap.
He asked if she needed any help, and she said “no thank you,” adding a bit sheepishly that they were taking some extra time because her son was autistic.
Oscar’s face lit up.
“I’m autistic too! Let me know if you need any help!” he said brightly before he went back to the floors.
This month marks 10 years that Oscar has worked at Shake Shack as a Hospitality Champion, providing exactly this type of friendly welcome to countless guests. A whiz with devices, he said he also likes helping customers with the ordering kiosks.
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“Sometimes they need help with that,” he said. He said his favorite parts of his job are his salary (naturally!) along with “being happy and making friends.”
“Oscar is a breath of fresh air,” said General Manager Mattie McGee. “He always comes in with positive energy, and that’s what we expect of all team members.”
In addition to customer service, Oscar’s duties include other maintenance like cleaning tables, windows, and bathrooms, as well as taking out the garbage, and he also runs errands like venturing to other Shake Shack locations throughout the city. He’s worked at two other “Shacks” but has been in Queens since 2017 and has the longest tenure of any employee there.
“When it comes to customer service, our slogan is ‘Stand for Something Good’ - we wear it on the back of our shirt, and Oscar fits right in with that. He’s so social and bubbly,” said McGee. “When we interview, that's what we’re really looking for - someone who is hospitality-driven.”
The Consortium for Customized Employment first connected Oscar to Shake Shack, and leadership of both created the role of Hospitality Champion for job-seekers, including those who have autism and other developmental disabilities. The company has become an enthusiastic employment partner, hiring 43 people via CCE since 2012, with the average tenure of 4 years - much higher than the 1-year fast food industry median.
For his part, Oscar credits his friendly attitude for his career success. When he’s not working, he enjoys listening to classical music and hiking. A self-advocate for disability issues who has his own YouTube channel, this year he also celebrated a decade of living independently.
“Not everyone can be in a job this long,” he said. “Ten years have gone by very fast.”
| | CCE is a project of Job Path that brings together 14 New York City social service agencies to expand the reach of customized employment to serve even more job seekers. | | | Save the date: Outside Voices Theater Company stages production in October | | |
After years of work, Community Connection's theater group will stage an original piece that members wrote and created.
"The Devils are Here" is a 45-minute play that tells the story of a neurodivergent species whose planet is invaded by colonizing, militaristic, neurotypical humans.
The title was inspired by a line in The Tempest, which members had been studying in their weekly theater group.
(Famously, the Shakespearian character Ferdinand says “Hell is empty and all the devils are here,” noting how evil is not confined to the supernatural.)
| | | JP celebrated summer at annual picnic | | | | Job Path staff and participants came out in force on a hot August day for a celebration filled with music, dancing, food, friendship, and fun! | |
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Michael Anne Catelinet
Senior Supported Employment Counselor
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Many disability employment specialists in mid-level positions at agencies like Job Path have stellar field experience, but they may not have training focused on leadership skills.
The Association for People Supporting Employment First (APSE) created the Emerging Leaders program to fill that gap. JP’s Michael Anne Catelinet was one of 15 people nationwide chosen for the most recent class, finishing the prestigious program last month. The program, which began a year ago, included biweekly virtual sessions, group presentations, mentoring, and readings, including Emotional Intelligence 2.0.
| | Michael Anne recently gave a presentation to JP colleagues using information she gained in the program. Photo by Marvin George. | | |
One project she completed was to review and compile resources from other national APSE chapters to create a compendium that her colleagues can use in their day-to-day work.
Catelinet was “amazing” in the program, says Rick McAllister, who ran the program.
“She’s enthusiastic, bright, inquisitive, and has a curious mind,” he says. “That’s really powerful for an adult learner. She’s so engaging, and she really wanted to improve herself, and that makes a huge difference.”
Catelinet, who has worked for Job Path for 9 years, says she looks forward to providing resources so her colleagues feel more confident in their work. She says she also gained skills in project management - something that will benefit both colleagues and participants she supports.
“I really love this work because you see how everyone really appreciates having a job,” she says. “People want to be able to make a contribution, and that’s really meaningful.”
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September marks an incredibly important annual recognition for our field - Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week, which starts Sept. 7. Job Path’s DSPs are truly the lifeblood of our organization. It is inspiring is see how each person brings their unique set of skills and talents to their work.
Every day we see how DSPs are clever, kind, determined, resourceful, and creative. Keep an eye on our social media feeds! We’re going to be sharing some stories next week that highlight just a few of our incredible staff. We’re also getting ready for our annual DSP Appreciation Day, which will be held in October. Because of the dedication of our DSPs, hundreds of New Yorkers with disabilities live the lives they deserve. Thank you!
| | A green thumb and a creative mind | |
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My garden is full of life
And mystery
Like where they came from
And if they can survive the winter
And bloom again
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Amanda M. recently shared her love of her garden and poetry.
What do you like about gardening?
"Well, it makes me feel like I am planting everything with my own bare hands. And I can see the garden flourish into amazing wonders. I water the garden everyday to see what’s going to become next."
Tell me about your favorite plants
"My favorite are the flowers that show the majesticness of life. I’m also growing corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and pumpkins."
| | In case you missed it: Disability Voting Rights Week is Sept. 8-12. | | September: 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. | | Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15. | |
Staff Anniversaries
Special recognition to staff who celebrated their anniversary at Job Path in August. Thank you for all of the contributions that you have made over the years in making Job Path successful.
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Hiram De Jesus - 14 years
Robert Sheridan - 14 years
Cerezmy Salcido - 13 years
Marvin George - 13 years
Tisa French - 10 years
Michael Anne Catelinet - 9 years
Tamika Fryer - 9 years
Jasmine Graham - 8 years
Dannika Brown - 7 years
Elizabeth Beaubrun - 7 years
Jasmine Johnson - 7 years
Demitris Marcano - 6 years
Georgette Griffiths - 5 years
Nicholas Luckenbaugh - 4 years
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Elizabeth Williams - 3 years
Morshea Parker - 3 years
Nakia Vassell - 3 years
Valerie Wang - 3 years
Amoy Brown - 2 years
Anson Chan - 2 years
Dalia Nieto - 2 years
Sakima Aguilar - 2 years
Vanessa Palhinhas - 2 years
Anna Witiuk - 1 year
Courtney King - 1 year
Drew Quinto - 1 year
Jessica Cornfeld - 1 year
Sincere Devlin - 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 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. | | |
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