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 about our career services please contact:

Kim Spahn
Asst. Executive Director
phone: 914.949.9300, ext. 4612
fax: 914.428.0322
kspahn
@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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Career & Employment

Westchester Arc is committed to achieving the highest degree of self-reliance consistent with the personal abilities and choices of individuals with developmental and learning disabilities.  Acquiring and retaining gainful employment is critical to such independence in adult life.

Career services offers personalized career planning, training, job placements and employment-site coaching.  We explore the interests and aptitudes of the people we serve, then match them to work opportunities.  We emphasize community-based employment but also operate work centers in Mount Kisco, White Plains and Yonkers for individuals who require additional supports.


Career planning should begin in high school, and our S.T.A.R. (Students in Transition Accessing Resources) program partners with public schools to begin preparing students, 15 and older, for the adult work world.

» Click here for a list of our community partners

Student-to-Work Transitional Services (S.T.A.R.)

S.T.A.R. (Students in Transition Accessing Resources)  works closely with students  (15 and older), families and teachers to prepare young adults for satisfying careers and lives as contributing members of their communities.

  • We begin by building a Person-Centered Plan for each student, identifying career, recreational and residential options. 
  • We then work with special education instructors to teach young people about work ethic, team-building, interview techniques and other career skills.
  • We identify internships so that students can gain firsthand experience before making important career choices.
  • We locate post-graduation jobs that match student interests and abilities.
  • We coach on the job to reinforce classroom discussion and to ensure a satisfying work experience.

What the press is saying . . . click below to read:
Special Needs: The World After High School
       The Journal News (pdf)

Click below to view S.T.A.R. brochures

» For students and families (608KB) (PDF)
» For educators (608KB) (PDF)
   

Pre-Vocational Training

Pre-vocational services are designed for adults who need training in  preparation for employment. The curriculum focuses on general knowledge rather than  specific skills, including:

  • Following directions and adapting to a work routine
  • Work ethic
  • Socially appropriate behavior
  • Employer expectations
  • Travel training

Services are provided individually or in small groups in one of Westchester Arc’s training facilities (Mount Kisco, White Plains and Yonkers), businesses (micrographics, mailroom, cleaning service, recycling/redemption), or community sites throughout Westchester County. 

Adult Employment Services

Based upon personal preferences and skills, adults with developmental disabilities are matched to in-community career opportunities with one of over 250 business partners.  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.

To view the above brochures, you will need Adobe Acrobat.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click below to get the Acrobat Reader application from Adobe Systems.

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Success story

S.T.A.R. Intern Pursues
Legal Career

Last June, Claire S. graduated from high school and began her journey into the adult world ... more »

 

County Honors Workers
with Disabilities
County Executive Andrew Spano honored 148 workers with disabilities ... more »

Littman Krooks Named Employer of the Year
NYSARC named law firm Littman Krooks LLP the 2007 Employer of The Year ... more »

Westchester Arc Cited as National Employment Model

Charles Arndt, managing partner for Public Policy Impacts of Washington, D.C., was recently commissioned ... more »