Honoring Tina Cornish-Lauria
We are very proud of CAREERS Executive Director, Tina Cornish-Lauria, for receiving the 2026 Woman of the Year Award from the Westchester Federation of Women’s Clubs. The luncheon ceremony was held on Thursday, May 14th at Bistro on the Green in Somers.
Tina received recognition for over four decades of service and leadership in the nonprofit sector, as well as her commitment to community and dedication to empowering and supporting the women who have worked for her throughout the years. During her remarkable career, Tina has consistently worked to create opportunities for others while fostering collaboration, mentorship and encouraging women in professional and community settings. She has been a champion for people with disabilities and has always believed that helping people lead more independent, fulfilling lives will not only serve them and their families, but also have a significant impact on the entire community.
Tina’s passion, leadership and service continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of CAREERS clients and their families. In her own words, “Non-profit work is not easy — it requires persistence, creativity, and hope, especially during challenging times. But it's also profoundly rewarding and my main focus has always been about seeing potential where others may see obstacles and about building systems of support that help people thrive.”
We congratulate Tina on this well-deserved honor and celebrate her ongoing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
Click to see a brief video from the event.
CAREERS Thrift Boutique volunteer and member of the Westchester Women’s Club, Roseanne Silverstein, with Tina Cornish-Lauria.
CAREERS Thrift Boutique volunteers (left to right) Roseanne Finkelstein, Toni Von Elm, Nanci Kalbfell and Kathy Hyams, with Tina Cornish-Lauria.
Individualized Services Leads to Growing Responsibilities
CAREERS provides individualized services to our clients that go way beyond finding them a job. We provide workforce training, resume preparation, provide mock interviews, teach soft skills, offer financial literacy, provide long-term support and so much more. The road to success looks different for each client and Isabel is no exception…
Isabel Bradley came to CAREERS in 2008 seeking assistance with resume development, interview preparation, and job search support. We helped her find work in a day care as a teacher’s assistant, where she spent many years before transitioning to retail work in 2014. With our assistance, she worked at Kmart and then eventually at the Carmel Cinema as a cleaner where we provided job support. Even though the theater closed during the COVID pandemic, Isabel was determined to continue working.
In 2020, with the support of her Employment Specialist, she secured a position as an essential worker at Tops Friendly Market in Carmel as a Front End Clerk. In this role, Isabel’s primary responsibilities focused on keeping the store clean and sanitized — an especially stressful and demanding task during the pandemic. She also frequently filled in for employees in the maintenance department when needed, demonstrating her flexibility and strong work ethic.
Over time, Isabel continued to assist with maintenance duties and in October 2025 when a maintenance position became available, Isabel was offered the current role. Her job requires regular interaction with every department in the store, and includes emptying trash bins, collecting cardboard for recycling, maintaining restrooms and caring for the front end of the store.
Isabel continues to work diligently on her time management skills to stay on schedule and ensure that all of her tasks are completed efficiently. When unexpected situations arise, such as spills on the sales floor, she is able to address them promptly and return to her regular responsibilities — no easy feat for someone who thrives on routine.
Isabel is often requested for special cleaning projects and during corporate visits, she is typically the employee chosen to prepare the store, as the team trusts the quality and consistency of her work. Isabel’s Manager and her CAREERS Employment Specialist are incredibly proud of her hard work, dedication and the tremendous growth she has shown throughout her time at Tops. We will continue to work with Isabel on a regular basis to help her maintain her high standards for success and look forward to seeing her grow and add more responsibilities in the future.
All CAREERS programs and services are free of charge to clients, their families and employers.If you would like to help support clients like Isabel be more independent, have improved self-confidence and attain sustained employment, please visit our donation pageour donate page and help people with disabilities find and keep jobs!
The Right Employee for the Right Job
Tom Adimari first came to CAREERS in 1999 after graduating from BOCES in Valhalla. He wanted a job in a kitchen and worked with CAREERS to develop a resume, apply for appropriate jobs, and refine his interviewing skills. In 2004, we placed Tom in a position at the Aramark Food Service Company, and everything seemed to fall into place. With the help of his Employment Specialist, Tom learned all needed tasks at his new job, and he was able to grow and add new responsibilities to his repertoire. His self-esteem and self-worth soared!
Tom currently serves lunches to students in the Chappaqua School District. He also restocks the refrigerator, takes inventory and helps plan meals. According to his manager, she wishes she had ten Tom’s on staff — proof that when you match the right employee to the right job, great things can happen.
While Tom is an incredibly capable employee, he looks forward to his regular on-site meetings with his CAREERS Employment Specialist. Together, they check in with his manager, discuss his progress and address any challenges or unique situations that may have come up. Tom is able to feel reassured by the presence of his CAREERS Employment Specialist and knows he has someone who is always in his corner.
Tom’s parents know how much their son loves his job and that he is a very hard-working, conscientious team player. According to his father Phil, when school is out for the summer, Tom misses his job and can’t wait for September so he can go back to work.
Helping clients find the right job, providing training and long-term support are fundamental components to job success. Please help CAREERS continue to help clients, like Tom, by making a donation day. All proceeds support the free programs that enable our clients to find and keep jobs.
Giving with Confidence
During his time in our Pre-Voc program, Tobi worked closely with his Employment Specialist. She secured an internship for him at The New York Sports Club in Carmel where together, they began working on learning new skills. Initially, Tobi greeted members when they arrived at the club but after building his confidence, he was given more tasks and started checking members in and answering phones. He eventually left to intern at Tops Friendly Market, a grocery store in Carmel, NY, where he learned how to stock merchandise and deal with outdated items. Within a year, the staff at Tops decided to hire Tobi as they recognized that his work ethic, and magnetic personality, were an asset to the supermarket.
Tobi is a team player and happy to lend a hand whenever asked. His position has helped him build confidence and develop a sense of independence knowing he is good at his job and 
consistently earning a paycheck. Tobi also works diligently to raise awareness for Williams Syndrome (a genetic condition characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges) and is an advocate for all people with disabilities. He refuses to be defined by his disability. Instead, he prefers to be known for singing in his church choir, playing the drums, and working toward his black belt in karate.
CAREERS will continue to work with him for as long as he needs – right on up to his retirement.
Donating to CAREERS helps clients like Tobi receive the individualized support they need to find and maintain long-term employment. As a BBB Charity Seal Holder, donors can give with confidence knowing their gift will directly impact our client’s lives and provide the life-changing services that continue to help individuals with a disability have a meaningful job and sense of self-worth.
Archives:Previous Happenings
Great Partners become Great Employers
At CAREERS, the intake process for each new client is extensive. We work to understand their individual strengths, areas in need of improvement and employment goals. CAREERS client and Mount Vernon resident Robert Watson came to us in March 2024 seeking job search and placement assistance. After meeting with his Employment Specialist and going through a thorough intake process, Robert expressed an interest in clerical work. However, he needed to improve his computer skills. With the support of his Employment Specialist, Robert decided to enroll in classes at The Center for Career Freedom (CCF) to enhance his computer skills and increase his chances of getting a job in his desired field.
CCF is located in White Plains, NY and offers computer classes in Westchester County that are available to all people looking to find a job and further their careers.
CAREERS client Robert Watson is a prime example of how hard work and proper support foster great results.
CAREERS Client Scott Treco named Employee of the Year!
Scott Treco graduated high school in 1979; a time when individuals with disabilities were often overlooked in the work place. Almost a decade after graduation, Scott’s mother to found CAREERS in an effort to help her son find and maintain employment so he joined CAREERS supported work program in its earliest form.
In 1993, we placed Scott at Flaghouse in Mount Vernon – a company that makes and sells sports and recreational fitness equipment for individuals with special needs. Scott received on-site job coaching from us for many years. In January of 2022, we found Scott a job working at Stop & Shop in New Rochelle as a part-time porter where he emptied garbage bins and swept inside and outside of the store, cleaned and replenished the bathrooms with supplies. Scott performed his job responsibilities so well that he was given the opportunity to oversee shopping cart organization.
Scott was recently named Employee of the Year at CAREERS 37th Anniversary Celebration. Scott loves what he does and is happy to be working and we will continue to provide on- the-job coaching and ongoing support for as long as needed – most likely until his retirement. Read more of Scott’s story.
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CAREERS Comedy Show Is Our New Annual Fundraiser!
For 2024, the comedian lineup included Dimitri Giatrakis, Vicki Sanches, Dr. Blain Langberg, Anthony Sanches, Susan Schatzie, Matt Orefice, Lou Ann Daprato, Bill Greene and Barbara Miller. Tina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, is delighted to offer this new fundraising event. “Tickets are only $75, which is very reasonable for a comedy show, dinner and an open wine/beer bar,” she said. “And the best part is that proceeds help fund our innovative programs to help people with disabilities get, and keep, jobs they can succeed in.” Read More about this 2024 event
CAREERS Celebrates 36 Years of Providing Services!
Ahmed Gonzalez was named Employee of the Year at CAREERS 36th Anniversary Celebration. We were delighted to honor more than 100 clients for their hard work and recognize employers, sponsors and donors for their loyal support.
“We are so proud to celebrate 36 years of changing the lives of individuals with disabilities,” CAREERS Executive Director Tina Cornish-Lauria said. “Our personalized programs offer a unique combination of training and support that is effective in helping our clients remain successfully employed.” she added.Read more about 2023 awards and sponsors…
Nary LoPuzzo Wins Longevity Award from Westchester NDEAM
Congratulations to Nary LoPuzzo, who received the Longevity Award at the Westchester County National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) ceremony. Nary has been a valued ShopRite employee for 21 years. CAREERS’ unique mix of workforce skills training and job coaching has enabled Nary, and hundreds of others like her, to become successfully employed and truly be part of their communities.
Tina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, said that “the NDEAM Awards are a significant way to focus attention on the accomplishments of people with disabilities and the employers who provide a diverse workplace. People with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority group. We are so proud of Nary and our other clients who bring their best to work every day and demonstrate what people with disabilities can accomplish.” See Video of NDEAM ceremony and details of other award winners…
CAREERS Celebrates 35th Anniversary!
Noah Feld was named Employee of the Year at CAREERS 35th Anniversary Celebration. More than 100 clients were honored for their hard work and employers, sponsors and donors were also recognized.
“It is so gratifying to celebrate 35 years of serving individuals with disabilities,” CAREERS Executive Director Tina Cornish-Lauria said. “CAREERS successfully weathered the pandemic and I am pleased to report that job placements are up 104% over 2020 and 40% over last year,” she added.
PepsiCo EnAble was the Premier Sponsor of the event for the 18th consecutive year and KTS Pooled Trust returned as Supreme Sponsor. Curry Automotive and Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano returned as Supporting Sponsors. Read more about this 2022 Event…
Westchester County National Disability Employment Awareness Month Awards
We are so proud of longtime client Cindi Palermo, who received the Longevity Award to mark Westchester County’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Thanks to CAREERS unique program of skills training and on-the-job support, Cindi has been successfully employed at Target in White Plains for the past 19 years. Tina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, said that the awards are a great way to showcase our hard-working clients and recognize employers who hire people with disabilities. Local businesses honored included the following CAREERS employers: The Afya Foundation in Yonkers, CVS in Scarsdale, Marshalls in Mohegan Lake, ShopRite in Bedford Hills and Thornwood, Stop & Shop in New Rochelle and Target in White Plains. Read more about Westchester County’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month Awards
CAREERS Support Solutions Opens Thrift Shop
CAREERS Support Solutions opened a Thrift Shop at 208 Route 52 in Carmel, which is open from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shop is run by volunteers and helps our clients, like the guys from our Ambition In Motion (AIM) program pictured, get some hands-on jobs skills training. The shop will eventually provide paid internships to CAREERS clients and proceeds will help fund CAREERS programs of job training and placement for individuals with learning, intellectual, developmental, psychiatric and/or physical disabilities.
Careers 34th Anniversary Celebration, 2021
Andrea Lenski was named 2021 CAREERS Employee of the Year at our virtual Anniversary event on November 17th for consistently demonstrating excellence in the workplace. She was one of 173 clients highlighted for their efforts on the job at our annual event,
This year’s Annual Anniversary Celebration was once again held virtually to keep our clients and supporters safe. With an on-line program full of warm acceptances, inspiring videos, live chat and fun slide show, our program participants, their families and employers, as well as our supporters and staff, cheered each other’s success.
Lyle Davidson Earns Westchester NDEAM Longevity Award “America’s Recovery is Powered by Inclusion,” was the theme for this year’s event, which annually highlights the contributions people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Lyle Davidson has been a CAREERS client for 26 years, with the past 17 as a valued employee of S & H Uniforms in White Plains.
CAREERS Receives NYS Empire AwardTina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, accepted the New York State Empire Award, for organizations who have made a significant contribution for the betterment of their community. State Senator Pete Harckham honored CAREERS because “their programs meet an individual’s unique needs and places them in jobs based on their abilities and interests. They provide on-the-job training and long-term support for as long as each individual requires.”
Help in Getting and Keeping a Job If you or someone you know has a documented disability (intellectual, developmental, psychiatric and/or physical) and want to find a job, CAREERS can Help!
CAREERS Support Solutions: New Name, Same Vital Mission The new name emphasizes the support and assistance we provide to our clients as well as the unique solutions we create for employers.
Agency Staff Page Want to put a face with the voice you hear on the phone when you call CAREERS? Check out our new Agency Staff page under the “Contact Us” tab to see the entire CAREERS team.
Our clients love what they do…and it shows. We asked them to tell you why your support of CAREERS is so important to them! Watch the video here.
CAREERS Teams up with United Way of Westchester and Putnam and PepsiCo to Find Jobs for Women.
Ambition In Motion Program Arrives at Iona College
CAREERS’ Ambition In Motion – AIM program grows to meet the needs of the community
CAREERS Expands Ambition in Motion – AIM Program
CAREERS Finds Jobs for New Rochelle Students
CAREERS Client Vinny M. Welcomes Ann Tucker to Advisory Board
CAREERS Collaboration with Carmel High School Results in Award
