Cindi Palermo Receives Longevity Award from Westchester NDEAM

Cindi Palermo

Cindi Palermo received the Longevity Award.

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. “The NDEAM Awards Ceremony is a meaningful way to honor people who bring their best to work every day,” she said. “We are so proud of Cindi and our other CAREERS clients who are a shining example of what individuals with disabilities can accomplish.”

Cindi’s positive attitude and warm smile is a ray of sunshine to store customers and co-workers. She worked in Target’s fitting room for many years, but quickly adjusted when the pandemic forced the fitting room to temporarily close. Cindi readily took on new responsibilities and even switched her schedule to help out wherever and whenever she was needed. Her flexibility helped ease the uncertainty and stress the pandemic created for her co-workers.

“Cindi was recognized for her outstanding work ethic and job performance, especially during the pandemic. She took on new tasks with an outstanding positive attitude,” said Jennifer Retacco, CAREERS Valhalla Program & Transition Coordinator. “We are also grateful to employers like Target who value a diverse workforce that includes people with disabilities.”

Also honored at the NDEAM celebration were six other CAREERS clients: Craig McGuinn, a stock associate at CVS; Mariah Scarnatti, a stock associate at Marshalls; Robin Holloway, a deli worker at ShopRite; Scott Meyerson, a stock associate at ShopRite; Scott Treco, a custodian at Stop & Shop; and Stephen Barker, a produce clerk at ShopRite.

Mariah Scarnatti

Mariah Scarnatti was recognized for doing a great job at Marshalls.

Scott Meyerson

Scott Meyerson has worked at ShopRite for an amazing 30 years!

Scott Treco

Scott Treco is proud of the good job he does at Stop & Shop.

Stephen Barker

Stephen Barker was honored for his outstanding work ethic at ShopRite.

Stop & Shop Staff in New Rochelle

Stop & Shop in New Rochelle was honored for its commitment to 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.

See the virtual NDEAM ceremony video