Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information contact:
Mellissa Lang
Director of Marketing and Public Affairs
phone: 914.949.9300,
ext. 4618
fax: 914.997.2985
or 914.428.0322
mlang@westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
914.949.8200

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Press Release

Trader Joe's and Club Fit Honored for Employing
People with Disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

WHITE PLAINS, NY , October 13, 2005 — In recognition that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Trader Joe’s of Hartsdale and Club Fit of Briarcliff and Jefferson Valley have been honored for providing opportunities to people with developmental disabilities. NYSARC, the largest non-profit in the nation serving people with developmental disabilities, and NYSRA (New York State Rehabilitation Association) both cited the local businesses for their longtime collaboration with Westchester Arc in building community-based careers.

Trader Joe’s was named 2005 Employer of the Year by NYSARC and received a Business and Industry Recognition Award from NYSRA. The gourmet food store employs three individuals affiliated with Westchester Arc as a stockperson, grocery bagger and cart retriever, comprising 15 percent of its total workforce.

Club Fit was recognized by NYSARC with a Supported Employer Recognition Award and by NYSRA with a Business and Industry Recognition Award. The exercise and nutrition center has partnered with Westchester Arc for nearly 10 years and employs six individuals with disabilities.

“Both employers were recognized because they understand people with differing abilities are good employees and fully include them as part of the team,” comments NYSRA Vice President Patricia Dowse.

“Westchester Arc nominated Trader Joe’s and Club Fit because they have always treated employees who have a disability with sensitivity and respect,” notes Kim Spahn, an assistant executive director at the agency. “There was one individual who really wanted to work for the company, yet couldn’t start for about five weeks. Trader Joe’s was understanding of the person’s needs and held the job for them.”

Westchester Arc currently partners with over 400 businesses, schools and government agencies to provide job opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Agency programs such as S.T.A.R. (Students in Transition Accessing Resources) and supportive employment provide one-on-one job training sessions on work ethic, job skills and interview techniques. The agency then collaborates with local businesses and other organizations to identify career opportunities matching the skills and interests of job seekers. Onsite job coaching by Westchester Arc staff facilitates successful placements and ongoing development of employees’ professional capabilities.

Westchester Arc is the largest organization in the county serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. To signal a deepening desire by people with disabilities and their families for community inclusion, Westchester Arc recently revised its name. As Westchester “Arc” (rather than “ARC”), the agency name symbolizes its work to bridge gaps and build supportive connections between people with developmental disabilities and the community. Westchester Arc is funded through both public and private means.

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