Consortium for Customized Employment

Thanks to Director Karen Waltuck for taking it to the streets to #UnlockTheEveryday to raise awareness about the global need for assisted devices and technology!

Today we celebrate the labor movement, and all the ways that workers have contributed to American history. But it’s also a time when we think about the dignity of work that hundreds of New Yorkers with autism and other developmental disabilities are able to achieve due to support from Job Path and our project, The Consortium for Customized Employment. Happy Labor Day! #belonging #disability #DisabilityInclusion #EmploymentEquity #DiversityEquityInclusion #DevelopmentalDisabilities #autism

Thanks to iHeartMedia's Shelli Sonstein for opening up her podcast, Sonstein Sessions to Job Path NYC's Employment Specialist Johnadam Haridopolos, and Karen Waltuck, the Consortium's director. Sonstein is an award-winning radio broadcaster who has been on the air for more than 50 years, and in this episode Karen and Johnadam explore the value of customized employment for job seekers and businesses.  https://lnkd.in/e8gMaU9R #belonging #disability #DisabilityInclusion  #EmploymentEquity #DiversityEquityInclusion  #DevelopmentalDisabilities  #autism

Thanks to CommPRO, an online resource for communications executives, for featuring this article by our own Wendy Banner, CCE's Associate Director. It’s fantastic to see so many different types of industries recognizing the value that disabled people bring to the workplace. Today may mark the end of July, but it’s #DisabilityPrideMonth year-round for us, and we can't wait to continue to celebrate and advocate every day with our amazing member agency partners. https://lnkd.in/d6p8cMUc #belonging #disability #DisabilityInclusion #EmploymentEquity #DiversityEquityInclusion #DevelopmentalDisabilities #autism

In honor of #DisabilityPrideMonth we want to give a #hattip to our employer partners at Restaurant Associates, which provides corporate dining services at the Bank of America Bryant Park location, and has hired 4 people through the Consortium over the past decade. Jeremiah L. (seen here, 5th from the left) is proud to celebrate his first anniversary on the job this month. He maintains one of the corporate dining areas, and he says his favorite part of the job is how much he’s learned. “I make a difference by coming in early to work,” says Jeremiah, who is supported by CCE member agency AHRC New York City. “Also being friendly with my co-workers, and I’m willing to learn new duties.” Coworkers Jonathan G. and Randy B. have both been with Restaurant Associates for 10 years, and Junior H. joined in March 2023. They are supported by Job Path NYC. Jonathan and Junior work in various roles maintaining corporate and cafe dining, and Randy is a dishwasher. Previously Randy was recognized by Restaurant Associates as a “Hospitality Hero” for his dedication to his role. “Restaurant Associates at Bank of America is a prime example of how customized employment works so well for job seekers and businesses alike,” says CCE Director Karen Waltuck. “We are thrilled with our partnership and to see them all thriving.” Since 2014, Restaurant Associates has hired 17 people from CCE agencies at 9 locations throughout the city. “Some of our outstanding team members have been brought on board through our partnership with CCE, one of our valued employment partners,” says Tina Perna, Regional Director, Operations, National Accounts, Restaurant Associates “We are proud of this long-standing relationship and the opportunities they provide.”.  Photo (L-R) CCE Director Karen Waltuck, Junior, Jonathan, Randy, Jeremiah, and RA’s Tina Perna. #DisabilityPrideMonth #belonging #disability #DisabilityInclusion  #EmploymentEquity #DiversityEquityInclusion  #DevelopmentalDisabilities  #autism

We’re kicking off a new feature where we share profiles of the 14 agencies that make up the Consortium, starting with Aaron Shmueli from Goodwill Industries of NY/NJ which has been part of CCE since our inception in 2012. He’s seen here speaking at the Customized Employment Awards with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in March. Thanks for all you do Aaron & Goodwill! #disability #DisabilityInclusion  #EmploymentEquity #DiversityEquityInclusion  #DevelopmentalDisabilities  #autism

One week ago today we honored Shake Shack with our 8th Annual Customized Employment Award! #disability #DisabilityInclusion  #EmploymentEquity #DiversityEquityInclusion  #DevelopmentalDisabilities  #AutismAcceptanceMonth

We’re proud to highlight our work with Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Project PossAbility, which began in 2020 and is going strong. Just this fall, the 7th employee from a Consortium agency was hired by the Heilbrunn Center for Population & Family Health. In November, Consortium Associate Director Wendy Banner was invited to take part in the annual  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at CUIMC summit. “CUIMC is one of the most recognized and well-respected organizations in the medical field, and Columbia is one of New York City’s largest employers,” she says. “It’s so important and inspiring to see them include developmental disabilities in their hiring and DEIB priorities.” Keith Diaz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Behavioral Medicine, and the employee leader of CUIMC’s Disability Employee Resource Group, called CCE “the perfect collaborator in our inclusive hiring efforts.” “With their innovative approach to customized and supportive employment, practical expertise, and meticulous attention to matching job candidates, we are able to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to thrive in our workforce,” says Diaz. “In turn, CUIMC has greatly benefitted from having access to an amazing pool of job seekers who are talented, motivated, and highly productive.” In addition to Heilbrunn, participants from four Consortium agencies are working at The Institute for Comparative Medicine, and The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as Departments of Surgery and Pathology. Pete E. has worked in Pathology as a clerk since 2022 and says he particularly enjoys curating slides for physicians.  “I like what I’m doing,” says Pete. “It is really interesting work.”  We love seeing people like Pete thrive in the workplace, and seeing workplaces made better because of people like Pete. Thanks to CUIMC for being part of this movement! #disability #DisabilityInclusion  #EmploymentEquity  #DiversityEquityInclusion  #DevelopmentalDisabilities  #autism The Consortium has 14 member agencies who work together on best-practices for customized employment for New Yorkers with autism and other developmental disabilities. Since its inception, CCE has placed more than 230 jobseekers at some 70 companies, businesses, and corporations across the five boroughs. 

Thanks to our Assistant Director Wendy Banner for her work and to CUIMC for their leadership!