Page 27 - NYC Imagine Awards Journal

Diversity,Equity,Inclusion,& Accessibility

Patricia Abitabile, Institutional Giving Officer Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer
Birch Family Services, Inc. Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc. (CEO)
104 West 29th Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10001 50 Broadway, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10004
(212) 616-1800 | www.birchfamilyservices.org (212) 422-4430 | www.ceoworks.org
Birch Family Services empowers 2,000 New Yorkers with autism and other developmental Our mission at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is to provide immediate,
disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. From preschool through adult transition services, Birch effective, and comprehensive employment services to individuals with criminal convictions who
proudly provides 31 program locations in some of the most under-resourced communities in have recently returned home from incarceration. As a national leader in reentry employment
New York City and our dedicated staff represents the diversity of the community we serve, services, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers and create opportunities for justice-impacted
including individuals from various backgrounds and abilities. Founded in 1975 as a school individuals. We believe that everyone, regardless of their past, deserves the chance to shape a
in Queens, Birch has expanded to meet the growing needs of the developmental disabilities stronger future for themselves, their family, and their communities.
community by launching additional schools, day habilitation centers, residential programs, and
an employment program. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is reflected in our innovative
programming, which includes a DEI training series, an Emerging Leaders Program that extends
To ensure valued outcomes for the individuals in our programs, Birch uses a person-centered full-time paid internships to people in reentry, our inclusive hiring practices, and our employee-
approach to allow individuals and families to have a voice in determining the types of services led Affinity Groups. With 31 locations nationwide, CEO prepares justice-impacted individuals
they receive and how they receive them. As we reflect on our achievements over the past with the support and resources needed to find a sustainable career and achieve social and
48 years, we acknowledge that the struggle for equity and inclusion remains ongoing. Birch economic mobility.
continues to champion the civil rights of the individuals we support and their families, whether
it be in areas of education, home and community living, or employment. Our mission has
always included safeguarding rights, amplifying voices, creating pathways for equal access and
opportunity, and ensuring the availability of essential resources.

Birch envisions a world where people with autism and other developmental disabilities are
celebrated for their abilities, uniqueness, and potential.

Lovisa Brown, Executive Director Pamela Ruth Judd, President
Exreme Kids and Crew IMPACTability, Inc.
145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Bronx, NY
(347) 410-6050 | www.extremekidsandcrew.org 718-530-3500 | www.impactabilityusa.org
Extreme Kids and Crew serves over 600 neurodivergent youth and their families annually. IMPACTability’s mission is to fight for equal access to employment opportunities for college
We foster an inclusive and supportive community for young people aged 7-21 facing various students with disabilities. Their employment outlook is bleak: only 1 in 4 obtain employment
disabilities, including ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and intellectual after graduating. We pursue our mission at the City University of New York, the largest urban
disabilities. Diversity is at the core of what we do. We work with families from all socioeconomic university system in the U.S. Our all-volunteer nonprofit is certified by the National Disability
backgrounds, encompassing BIPOC, white immigrants, English language learners, LGBTQI+ Mentoring Coalition.
members, and those in multigenerational or single-parent households. IMPACTability integrates Diversity into CareerReady!, our free, online 10-session career
readiness and mentoring certificate program. We bring students from multiple generations,
Amidst the bustle of New York City, our families often encounter exclusion and isolation, identities, and campuses into one united cohort. Structured mentoring connects students
especially when seeking affordable and accommodating recreational activities. EKC provides with experienced professionals from over 20 industries. We bridge disability communities by
a haven for neurodivergent youth to build community without judgment or condescension. supporting students with visible and invisible disabilities.
In a city where most disability programs focus on singular needs or diagnoses, EKC's unique
approach of partnering with community-based organizations emphasizes inclusivity and A top barrier that college students with disabilities face is the lack of employment opportunities.
recreation to provide social-emotional learning opportunities to bridge the gap for many youth IMPACTability incorporates Equity by highlighting disability hiring programs and internship
with disabilities. resources. We build partnerships with federal and corporate professionals to promote students
for internships.
EKC stands out in a city with limited accessible programs and scarce opportunities for families We showcase Inclusion through Disability Advocacy, which focuses on the ADA, disclosing
of children with disabilities to connect. We offer a brave and welcoming community space where at interviews and crafting an accommodations script. CareerReady! reduces isolation. Self-
proof of diagnosis, income, or immigration status is never a barrier to participation. Extreme confidence grows as students engage in activities that peers without disabilities routinely
Kids and Crew is a lifeline for countless families to celebrate and nurture the extraordinary experience, such as having a polished resume and attending job fairs.
abilities of their children and ensure that they are seen, known, and heard.
Accessible learning happens through peer feedback, community posting, tapping into a central
resource library, and submitting deliverables through a convenient portal. From transferable life
skills to acing the interview, here’s what one student liked best: “The program helped me to prepare
for getting a job and be an advocate for my future.”
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