1978: Decades Long Mission

(from left) Emily Ellis, Sheila Kresch and Fredda Rosen

One of the delights in marking this 45th anniversary year is reconnecting with some of the truly incredible people who were part of Job Path’s earliest days, and have since moved on. Emily Ellis was one of the first job developers hired in 1979. Sheila Kresch began with us in 1990. Fredda Rosen led Job Path for more than four decades.

People would say to me ‘You’ve been at the same job all that time!’ but there was always something interesting to do, something new to try and great people to work with. There is nothing like seeing someone get a job – it’s so gratifying that it just keeps you going because it’s such very concrete evidence of what you are working towards.

– Fredda Rosen, Job Path Executive Director for 42 years

Back then I don’t think I could have imagined the depth and breadth of what they are doing today. I don’t think I could have imagined it would have reached the point it has now.

– Sheila Kresch, With Job Path for 11 years

It was all about being part of a revolution for change, an agent for change. We worked to open the doors of opportunity with employers, with neighbors, with community centers.

– Emily Ellis, With Job Path for 28 years

2004: Home Sweet Home

Robert is the life of the house party

Robert C. is always looking for a good excuse to throw a party. In October of 2023, he had two good ones. Halloween, of course, as you can see from his funky fun costume here. But there was another milestone: The 19th anniversary of moving into the Brooklyn apartment he calls home.

“Nineteen years here is amazing,” he said this week from the living room of his tidy home, with stacks of records and DVDS tucked into shelves. “It’s a home you can call your own.”

Part of the Supported Living program, Robert C. has been with Job Path since 1997 and previously lived in Harlem and the Bronx. In addition to planning and throwing parties, he goes to the gym in his neighborhood, attends meetings and classes on Zoom, and maintains his YouTube channel where he posts episodes of 80’s TV shows like “Amen” and “227.” As for his record collection, if you’re a fan of classic soul, R&B, and disco you’re in for a treat.

Robert says his favorite thing about his apartment is that it’s a place he could make his own. A self-described “party animal,” he also says he treasures the community he’s built with his neighbors.

“I have had some really good neighbors in the building here,” he says. “I’ve never felt at home like I do here. Everyone is so nice and it’s really been a great experience.”

2021: Producing a Dream

George and his Emmy Award at the Job Path picnic

In March 2024, the 4 year anniversary of the COVID pandemic lockdown, it was a time to reflect on a difficult period. But for George V. that milestone is also linked to a professional success – winning a New York Emmy Award in 2021.

George was honored for his segment “Una Familia Vive con COVID-19” which was part of the CUNY-TV show I Am A Dreamer. He worked on the project with fellow producer Gisela Sanders-Alcantara, who he knew from a previous filmmaking class.

“I was so happy to win, and my mom was very, very happy too,” he says George, who graduated with a degree in video arts and technology from the Borough of Manhattan Community College in 2018, says he likes sharing his filmmaking with others because “it gives me a sense of comfort. It’s something I enjoy a lot.”

Asked what makes George good at this work, Sanders-Alcantara says: “He’s very intuitive. What makes him a good filmmaker is his sense of story, his intuition he has with machines and technology.”

In August 2023, George started working at Verona Carpenter Architects as a communications assistant, updating the website with news and press releases.

“He’s been tackling his tasks and is eager to grow within the role,” says Job Path Employment Specialist Sean McAuliffe.

Charul Punia, project designer at the firm says George takes a lot of pride in his work and isn’t satisfied until everything is perfect.

“George has a very positive attitude and is always on time and ready to work; he is attentive and willing to try new things,” Punia says. “He is a fun co-worker, and we have really enjoyed getting to know him better.

Of his Emmy win, George’s mother Janeth Ramirez says she loves seeing his success.

“I am so grateful for the support received all these years from Job Path for my son, and for giving me the opportunity to work alongside them. For someone with disabilities this is truly a blessing. He worked very hard for so long – I’m so proud.”

2003: Memories Stitched Together

Job Path’s Thaddeus Malcolm and Keith

When he looks at the quilted square he made two decades ago that combines hearts, flowers, bright oranges, deep reds, and rich golds with a guitar with wings, Keith A. says that even after all this time it makes him feel happy. 

In 2003 Keith was one of about a dozen participant artists who created squares for the quilt, which was conceived by longtime Job Path consultant and friend Beth Mount to help celebrate Job Path’s 25th anniversary. Drawing from African American story quilt traditions, Beth envisioned a project that would allow participants to tell the story of their lives and convey the wisdom, purpose, and vitality that each one of them had to offer as part of our community.

“You’re listening for threads that are part of the story that matters most to people and you’re trying to hold onto those threads,” says Mount. 

Entitled “Lives of Distinction,” the quilt features squares that were directly designed by Job Path participants to “capture the stories of the core gifts of these individuals,” as Mount recalls. From there, participants gathered together to cut out fabric for the squares. Once fully assembled, the quilt was displayed in Job Path’s old offices.

“Of course we brought the participants up so they could see it. I could just picture Keith,” remembers Job Path Intake Coordinator Carolann Granata, one of the staff members who helped lead the quilt’s creation. “I think was very happy because his guitar was there. He’s played for a long time. He has a pretty nice smile when he smiles, and when he looked at that, it was a smile.”

After meeting at Job Path’s midtown offices recently, Keith and support worker Thaddeus Malcolm headed out to Keith’s favorite place, The Guitar Center, in Brooklyn to look at instruments. 

He started playing the bass in 1979 and counts among his favorite songs the rock classic “Stairway to Heaven,” and the thumping beats of the classic soul “Brick House.” Asked why he likes to keep playing, Keith says; “It feels good.” 

2015: Oscar’s Independent Life

Oscar at a showing of his movie “My Independent Life”

If you ask Oscar S. his favorite thing about making his own movie, called “My Independent Life,” he’d say that he loved interviewing and editing “and now – showing it all over!”

That answer came during a screening in November 2023 for his film, which documents his life, his work, his advocacy, and his infectious enthusiasm. He spent about a year working on the film, which he shot and edited using iMovie.

In the film, Oscar talks about how important it is to be an advocate, saying “with advocacy, we make a difference.” He has also appeared in an educational film about supported decision making as an alternative to guardianship. He said his next goal is to get to “more festivals, more screenings, more panels and conferences.”

“No matter what your disability is,” he says “You can achieve anything.”

Oscar, who is part of Job Path’s employment program, has worked as a greeter at Shake Shack since September of 2015. He says the thing he loves most about his job is “just getting to know all the people.” He also spends his time volunteering weekly at City Harvest.

At the November screening, at the East Harlem arts space Positive Exposure, Oscar greeted each person with three things: A huge grin, his business card, and a commentary on whether their shoes, coats, haircuts, glasses, etcetera were new.

After the screening there was a rollicking Q&A session, touching upon subjects like his favorite thing to cook (pasta with pesto,) when he started living independently (age 20,) and what languages other than English he speaks (Spanish, Hebrew, Portuguese.)

A few audience members wanted to know more about his positive attitude. What does he do when he’s feeling down? “I just call people and talk about how I feel.”

Another asked: What’s most important to him?

“All the people and friends and support I have in life.”