Press Releases

CAREERS Support Solutions Celebrates 37 Years of Helping People with Disabilities Find, and Keep, Jobs they Love

CAREERS Anniversary Celebration Highlights the Accomplishments of Clients and Staff While Thanking Generous Community Supporters

Valhalla, New York, November 1, 2024 – CAREERS Support Solutions celebrated 37 years of helping people with disabilities become an integral part of their community by finding and keeping meaningful jobs. Their annual celebration on Thursday, October 24th was attended by more than 150 clients, staff, sponsors and supporters.

CAREERS incredible journey began in 1987 when a group of parents formed a not-for-profit to help their adult children with disabilities find and maintain employment. Over the years, their supported jobs program grew to include adults with varying levels of disabilities, high-school students and senior citizens. In addition to honoring dedicated staff, awards were given for Employee of the Year, Employer of the Year, Supervisor of the Year and others. (full list of awards is attached).

“Watching clients and their families share this experience means everything to me because I believe that all people should experience the joys that come from meaningful work” Tina Cornish-Lauria Executive Director of CAREERS . “Listening to parents talk about the positive changes having a job has given their adult children is what our missions is all about”.

PepsiCo EnAble was the Premier Sponsor of the event for the 20th consecutive year and KTS Pooled Trust returned as Supreme Sponsor. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano returned as the Major Sponsor and Curry Automotive returned as a Supporting Sponsor.

Contributing Sponsors include: LEXCO Wealth Management, Croonquist Group, Hart Vida & Partners, James Quinn Painting, Karen Brown, Kitson Law Firm, New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, ShopRite Supermarkets, Zenbusiness, Adobe Acrobat and The Morris Family.

New York State Senator Pete Harckham, an advocate for people with disabilities who works to ensure inclusivity in the workplace, in schools, and elsewhere was in attendance.

CAREERS client Scott Treco, Mt. Vernon was named Employee of the Year for his dedication and positive attitude at Stop & Shop in New Rochelle. Nick Delury of Westchester Boxing Club in White Plains received The Outstanding Internship Employer Award for going above and beyond when educating interns on how to run a business. Kate Warren, Mt. Kisco was awarded the Shining Star Award for her work at Homegoods in Mt. Kisco and Armonk-based MagellanTV received an Outstanding Program Support Award for their dedication to fostering a positive work environment.

About CAREERS Support Solutions, Inc.

CAREERS’ works to ensure that individuals with disabilities achieve the dignity, financial independence and sense of community they deserve through sustained, meaningful employment. Since 1987, CAREERS teaches workforce readiness skills and provides job placement, on-the-job training and ongoing support to people with disabilities throughout Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess Counties.

For more information on CAREERS programs for individuals with disabilities or employers in need of qualified help, contact CAREERS’ Valhalla office, which serves central and lower Westchester at 914-741-8500, or the Carmel office, which serves northern Westchester and Putnam Counties, at 845-225-8007. For more information, please visit www.CAREERSSupportSolutions.org, or friend us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CareersSupportSolutions .

CAREERS client Kate Warren of Mt. Kisco (third from left), winner of the evenings Service with a Smile Award, with her parents and Transition & Work-Based Learning Coordinator Kelly Corvino Featured	Featured (left to right) CAREERS Employment Specialist Violet Nikac, CAREERS Client Marissa Raysor and Nick Delury of Westchester Boxing Club in White Plains, winner of The Outstanding Internship Employer Award
(Pictured left to right) Chelsea Lauzun, of MagellanTV (located in Armonk) Senior VP of Operations & Human Resources Director, CAREERS Employment Specialist Kelly Corvino, CAREERS Client Andrew Spears and Gabe Solomon, Senior Editor, MagellanTV. MagellanTV received an Outstanding Program Support Award while Andrew Spears, a MagellanTV employee, received a Rock Star Award.	Scott Treco of Mt. Vernon, with his family at CAREERS Anniversary Celebration. Scott was named CAREERS Employee of the Year – one of the evening’s most prestigious awards.

2024 CAREERS Support Solutions 37th Anniversary Celebration

Awards and Recipients

CAREERS Support Solutions Hosts Annual Comedy Show on April 12th

February 26, 2024, Valhalla, NY – Get ready to laugh! CAREERS Support Solutions will hold a fundraising Comedy Show on April 12th to benefit its programs and services to help people with disabilities. Tickets are ONLY $75 and include an amazing lineup of 9 comedians, appetizers, a buffet dinner, dessert and an open wine/beer bar. The event will be held at Travelers Rest, 25 Route 100, Ossining.

The comedian lineup includes 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 will help fund our innovative programs to help people with disabilities get, and keep, jobs they can succeed in.”

Nary LoPuzzo Honored by Westchester County

October 6, 2023, Valhalla, NYCAREERS Support Solutions’ client Nary LoPuzzo received the Longevity Award at today’s Westchester County National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) ceremony. CAREERS is a not-for-profit organizatio whose mission is to provide the skills and support people with disabilities need to become gainfully employed. 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.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer congratulated Nary and the other award winners, and noted that gainful employment helps anyone, not just people with disabilities, have a sense of dignity and self-worth. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month when the contributions of workers with disabilities are recognized.

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.”

“We are so proud of Nary’s accomplishments. She worked hard to develop her customer service skills and advocate for herself to get the position she wanted,” said Rebecca Appleyard, CAREERS Carmel Program Coordinator. “We are also grateful to ShopRite and other employers who see the value of hiring people with disabilities.”

Also honored today were nine other CAREERS clients: Eileen Morra, a fitting room attendant at T.J. Maxx; Jack Silverstein, a maintenance associate at Costco; Legend Greene, a data analyst at Market Cast; Marcey Pietarinen, an associate at Forever 21 and Stop & Shop; Matthew Diaz, a cart retriever at ShopRite; Michael George, a store merchandiser at Stop & Shop; Ronny Ortega, a maintenance worker at ShopRite; Roxanne Williams, a receptionist at the New York State Office of Professional Discipline; and Stephen Barker, a stock associate at BJ’s.

Also honored were CAREERS employers Market Cast, Forever 21 in White Plains; the New York State Office of Professional Discipline in Port Chester; ShopRite in Croton and Thornwood; and Stop & Shop in Eastchester.

CAREERS Support Solutions provides support services to hundreds of individuals annually throughout Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess Counties. CAREERS mission is to empower people with disabilities by teaching workforce readiness skills and providing job placement, on-the-job training, and ongoing support to assure long-term success – at no cost to the individual or employer. For more information visit www.careerssupportsolutions.org

People with Disabilities Make a Difference

July 12, 2023, Carmel, NY The parks in Putnam County have less litter these days thanks to the volunteer clean-up efforts of the men in CAREERS Support Solutions Ambition In Motion (AIM) program — an innovative program for adults with developmental disabilities. CAREERS is a private non-profit located in Carmel and their AIM program teaches the interpersonal and social skills needed for independent living. The AIM group truly enjoys volunteering in the community and taking part in recreational and social outings.

“The guys in AIM love to go to the skate park in the Jimmy McDonough Memorial Park in Carmel to pick up litter and we go at least once a week,” says Dan Ramirez, CAREERS Community Instructor. “We also pick up litter in other Putnam County parks. The guys enjoy giving back to the community and it gives them a sense of purpose.”

The women in the AIM program are also active volunteers for the Humane Society and local food pantries. They sort donations and package food for distribution for the Hillside Food Outreach in Mount Kisco and Second Chance Foods in Brewster.

Tina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, said that “volunteering brings tremendous benefits to people in the community and also to those who donate their time to help others. People with disabilities need to feel they are a part of their community, and volunteering is the ideal way to give them a sense of purpose and learn skills.”

CAREERS Support Solutions provides support services to hundreds of individuals annually throughout Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess Counties. CAREERS mission is to empower people with disabilities by teaching workforce readiness skills and providing job placement, on-the-job training, and ongoing support to assure long-term success – at no cost to the individual or employer. Read more..

Three New Board Members

March 13, 2023, Valhalla, NY Three new members have joined the Board of Directors of CAREERS Support Solutions, a private non-profit that provides job training and placement for individuals with learning, intellectual, developmental, psychiatric and/or physical disabilities. CAREERS welcomes banker Erik Martin; special education advocate and attorney Alison Morris; and human resources director Melissa Strauss to the board.

Tina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, said the organization’s Board of Directors are all volunteers who oversee the agency. “The board serves a vital role in governing CAREERS,” she said. “We are fortunate to attract people with different professional backgrounds to serve in our mission to help people with disabilities achieve their greatest potential. We are delighted to welcome Erik, Alison and Melissa. Their expertise and talent are wonderful additions to the board.” Read more…

CAREERS Opens Thrift Shop

May 3, 2022, Carmel, NY – CAREERS Support Solutions Thrift Shop at 208 Route 52 is now open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shop, staffed by volunteers and eventually CAREERS clients, will benefit CAREERS programs of job training and placement for individuals with learning, intellectual, developmental, psychiatric and/or physical disabilities.

Tina Cornish-Lauria, Executive Director of CAREERS, said the new shop is walking distance from ShopRite. “This is a great opportunity for CAREERS clients to learn retail skills such as stocking shelves, customer service and using a cash register. The shop will also allow us to provide work try-outs for students and new clients, to see where their skills and interests lie,” she explained. “We look forward to showing the public how people with disabilities perform necessary roles in the workplace and become valued team members.”

The shop will accept donations of gently used women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, household goods, and other items, keeping them out of landfills while providing unique and affordable treasures to all members of the community. All purchases and donations fund CAREERS supported work programs and are tax deductible as allowed by law.

CAREERS 34th Anniversary Celebration

CAREERS Receives Empire Award from Senator Harckham

Carmel, New York July 27, 2021 – CAREERS Support Solutions received the New York State Empire Award, dedicated for organizations who have made a significant contribution for the betterment of their community. To mark Disability Pride Month, State Senator Pete Harckham honored CAREERS… (Read more)

CAREERS Annual Celebration press release 2020

Valhalla, New York, November 12, 2020 – CAREERS Support Solutions celebrated 33 years of helping people with disabilities achieve the dignity, financial independence and sense of community they deserve through having jobs they enjoy during a virtual celebration on Tuesday, November 10^th. 

CAREERS Employer Nomination for S & H Uniform

Valhalla, NY ,  June 15, 2020 — CAREERS Support Solutions is pleased to nominate S & H Uniform located in White Plains, NY for a NDEAM 2020 Statewide Award.  For 18 years, S & H Uniform, a 51-year old business apparel and footwear manufacturer, has employed over 20 CAREERS clients in paid jobs and paid internships, thus demonstrating unwavering dedication to our mission of providing jobs long-term and ongoing support to people with developmental, emotional and physical disabilities