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Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org
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(At left) Dee DelBello, CEO and publisher of the Westchester County Business Journal, presents Westchester Arc with the 2008 Yonkers Employer of the Year Award. Representing Westchester Arc are Carolyn Holodak, board member (center), and Anne Majsak, president.
Westchester Arc Named Employer of the Year
Westchester Arc was named Employer of the Year at the Yonkers Business Week Awards Dinner, held on May 8 at the Hudson River Museum. The agency was honored for its work training and placing individuals with disabilities in jobs in the Yonkers community.
Anne Majsak, Westchester Arc president, and Carolyn Holodak, a Westchester Arc self-advocate and board member, accepted the award on behalf of the agency.
Carolyn—an employee of the City of Yonkers —is one of many individuals to benefit from Westchester Arc’s employment services which include personalized career planning, vocational training and job placement. Carolyn attended pre-vocational workshops at the agency’s Sheib Center to build her job skills, then worked with a Westchester Arc career planner to find employment at Manhattan College where she was employed for 20 years. She later transitioned to her current position at City Hall where her work ethic quickly led her to full-time employment and additional responsibilities.
“I think Westchester Arc is a great agency, and they helped me learn a lot of job skills,” comments Carolyn. “The agency has been so influential in my life, and I am happy to be involved with them.”
(From left) Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director; Marsha Gordon, Business Council of Westchester president and CEO, and Lawrence McNaughton, Westchester Arc Foundation president.
In addition to its partnerships with the Yonkers business community, Westchester Arc works with companies and civic organizations throughout Westchester County to identify career choices consistent with a person’s skills and ambitions. Individuals have the chance to explore jobs in office, retail, food service, maintenance and other settings. Job coaches provide initial onsite training, then continue to monitor progress for the duration of the work relationship.
During his opening remarks, Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone noted the city’s annual event has helped strengthen the relationship between its government and business community. He also called the Business Awards Dinner the highlight of this event.
“Employment is so important to individuals with disabilities and their families and to be recognized by the City of Yonkers as their Employer of the Year is very special,” said Ric Swierat, executive director of Westchester Arc. “We were really pleased when Mayor Amicone called because we represent a different kind of labor force. Our consumers are a very special part of the fabric of the Yonkers community.”
Business Merger: The nights honorees and guests pose with Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone (second from left).