REWARDING EMPLOYMENT EXEMPLIFIED

To some individuals, becoming employed on a NYSID contract is the first chance to earn a paycheck. To others, improved skills and self-confidence over the years lead to advancement and more independence.

NYSID recognizes these work and personal achievements through the annual Joslin Awards Program.

The impact of the 19th annual award year was celebrated at NYSID’s Annual Meeting on October 19, 2022, where two nominees were selected to receive the William B. Joslin Outstanding Performer Award.

Nicole is a full-time custodian at the NYS Department of Homeland Security building through Warren, Washington & Albany Counties ARC.

Once struggling to find her place in the work world, Nicole has emerged from the shadows of anxiety, learning disabilities and bullying to maintain full-time employment, own her own car and find her voice through newfound confidence.

Gary LaPorte

holds two jobs at Arc Herkimer’s Herkimer Industries site, overcoming years of underemployment due to lack of confidence, experience and skills.

Through rewarding employment, he has emerged as an independent man who is proud of his work reputation and financial contributions to his household.

Thank you to our Member Agencies and Corporate Partners who participated in the 2022 Joslin Awards Program.

nominees in 2022 awarded individuals recognized over 19 years

Congratulations to all the deserving nominees for their achievements:

Michael Bartholomew – JM Murray

Demetri Boler – Gateway Hudson Valley

Kirk Bonsu – The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter

Markeith Brown – Jawonio

Kathy Brunn – Imaging & Microfilm Access

George Burnett – The Arc Allegany-Steuben

Willie Carter – Image Integrator, LLC

Abby Conklin – The Corporate Source

Phillip Dashnau – The Arc of Madison Cortland

Nicole Dorr – Warren, Washington & Albany Counties ARC

Keniel Evangelista – CASO Document Management

Kathleen Falconio – Center for Disability Services

Collin Figura – ACHIEVE

Judith Frazier – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany

Gabriel Galvez – Fedcap Rehabilitation Services

John Guardiola – Northeast Career Planning at Unity House

Skylar Howard – MOZAIC

Christina Jarczewski – People Inc.

Andrea Johnson – The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence

Victor Karas – The Resource Center

Mary Kenyon – The Arc Wayne

Joe Kilgore – Liberty Arc

Jack Kupcyzk – The Arc Erie County New York

Gary LaPorte – Arc Herkimer

Ashley Lawyer – Image Data, Inc.

William Linna – Maryhaven Center of Hope

Ja’net Lorick – Access: Supports for Living

Abi Magar – Arc of Onondaga

Shalom Magidson – eBizDocs

Nick Marich – Spectrum Designs

Frank Mateunas – Arc Otsego

Derrick McGuinness – The Arc Lexington

Justin Moore – Second Chance Opportunities

Jose Nieves – AHRC New York City

Shareem Nunn – SecureScan

Vladimir Pierre – Venture Together

Roger Quick – The Arc of Chemung-Schuyler

Elizabeth Rosado – Green Facility Solution

Michael Rudgers – Arc GLOW

Heather Svoboda – Lifetime Assistance

Edward Terry – CDS Monarch

Bryan Thomas – AHRC Nassau

Richard Vassar – Mountain Lake Services

Sandy Williams – WellLife Network

Competitive Integrated Employment In The Spotlight

MEMBER AGENCY OF THE YEAR Arc of Onondaga

NYSID’s Member Agency of the Year is selected for its dedication to job creation for individuals with disabilities. This award also reflects going above and beyond for customers when the unexpected arises.

Arc of Onondaga facilitates a robust custodial business that allows each individual to realize their fullest potential for independence. Whether it be a team opportunity or the sole responsibility for maintaining a customer site, Onondaga’s Monarch Enclaves cleaners get the job done. Their careful attention to detail during the COVID-19 pandemic is especially noteworthy.

In 2022, Arc of Onondaga provided NYSID jobs to 41 individuals who earned a collective $420,000 in competitive integrated wages.

CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR Sheen & Shine, Inc.

NYSID’s Corporate Partners are private sector businesses approved by the NYS Education Department. These businesses commit to employing individuals with disabilities while servicing NYSID contracts.

The 2022 Corporate Partner of the Year is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned business which has provided expert custodial services in the Rochester area for 40 years. At Sheen & Shine, an individual with a disability is an equal member of the team, making a living wage and giving back to their community. Sheen & Shine partnered with three NYSID Member Agencies in 2022, which provided 38 individuals with jobs and competitive integrated wages of $257,000.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Akeem Allen

Akeem represents the diverse opportunities provided through Monarch Enclaves, joining the program after high school. He mastered cleaning skills over time, and progressed to maintaining his own sites. Four years later, Akeem’s incredible work ethic and positive attitude allow him to be placed at multiple customer locations, where the staff describe him as professional, trustworthy and efficient. With newfound confidence, he is studying for a driver’s license to advance his independence in the community.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Roger Youngs

Roger exemplifies Sheen & Shine’s commitment to including individuals with disabilities on its team. He works at a mental health facility where he takes pride in ensuring a safe, clean environment for clients. Roger is adept at finding ways to work around his vision disability to achieve maximum results. He exemplifies the dedicated work ethic of individuals with disabilities as he “shines” at every task.

Purchasing That Powers Inclusion

NYSID CHAMPION Special Olympics New York

NYSID Champions advocate for individuals with disabilities to live their most inclusive lives. They are private sector businesses and non-profit organizations which embrace corporate social responsibility through procurement.

There’s no better example of this impact than Special Olympics New York (SONY), through which 31,000 individuals with disabilities from across the state are team players.

SONY furthers a commitment to corporate social responsibility by purchasing NYSID branded products to outfit teams and event staff. This benefits workers at NYSID Member Agencies and Corporate Partners, many of whom participate in local SONY chapters. NYSID employees are frequent volunteers at SONY events, from statewide and local competitions to the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, another example of synergy between organizations.

STATE GOVERNMENT CUSTOMER OF THE YEAR NYS Department of Motor Vehicles

The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) directly contributes to employment and independence for New Yorkers with disabilities at 11 different NYSID Member Agencies. The custodians have provided clean and safe workspaces at 29 DMV sites for nearly 20 years.

These workforces were put to the test at the outset of the pandemic when DMV needed in-depth sanitizing services to keep its staff safe and then reopen to the public. At a time when those with disabilities experienced even higher unemployment from the pandemic and other trends, these individuals continued working and contributing to their communities.

This loyal customer reports that the custodians are invested in performing their jobs to DMV’s standards, as well as helping incoming clients. Its trust in the Preferred Source Program ensures competitive integrated employment for hundreds of workers annually.

Department of Motor Vehicles

“Special Olympics New York and NYSID are huge fans of each other. We work with the same population to foster full community inclusion, from employment to athletics. There are so many opportunities ahead for us, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

Local Government Customer Of The Year

NYC Department Transportation

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) keeps its two iconic Ferry terminals clean and safe for commuters and tourists using custodians from AHRC New York City’s Hudson River Services division.

Ferry Division

The DOT is a 24/7 operation all year long. The dedicated AHRC work team has supported the Ferry division in all kinds of weather and emergencies, including Superstorm Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic and blizzard conditions.

More than 15 new competitive integrated jobs were added to the current custodial team in 2022. “You can’t ask for better employees,” said Ferry operations management.

Financial Statements

2021-22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Stanfort J. Perry, Chair • AHRC Nassau

Patrick Bardsley, Vice Chair • Spectrum Designs

Douglas DiGesare, Secretary • Arc Erie County NY

G. Allen Connely, Treasurer • MOZAIC

Kevin Crosley, Past Chair • Arc Herkimer

Maureen E. O’Brien • NYSID President & CEO

Board Members

David Calhoun • Arc Wayne

Rhonda Frederick • People, Inc.

Timothy Giarrusso • Human Technologies

Michael Miller • Golub Corporation

Gregory Sorrentino • Center for Disability Services

Steve Towler • AHRC New York City

Stephanie Turco • Gateway Hudson Valley

Randi Rios-Castro • Jawonio

Shaloni Winston • Arc Lexington

Paul Zuber • Business Council of New York State

Executive Staff

Maureen E. O’Brien

President & Chief Executive Officer

Eileen J. McCarthy

Chief of Staff/General Counsel

David Aziz Chief Financial Officer

Sarah DeVoe Vice President, Compliance

Meredith Hartman Vice President, Contract Administration

Joseph Messina Vice President, Sales

Tim Mott Vice President, Business Operations