mh vocreferral - Maryhaven Center of Hope

Is Maryhaven Center of Hope’s
Vocational Program for You?
Pat Betz
Vocational Evaluator
“It is a delight and great pleasure
to work as the Vocational
Evaluator. I work with so many
unique individuals who take
such pride in their accomplishments. I have the opportunity to
be a part of a team who assists each individual in developing, learning and/or increasing vocational skills.
Through a variety of techniques and work settings, individuals can demonstrate their level of independence,
their ability to learn new skills and their ability to follow a work schedule in Maryhaven’s Work Center. With
a strong support system, their goals and desires are accomplished through hard work and dedication. I feel that
my support, guidance and encouragement give others the
motivation to try new career possibilities and the selfesteem to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams.”
Phil Orofino
Vocational Training
Instructor
“What’s important to me is
assisting someone interested in
improving his/her well-being
and secure one’s future through
vocational training. Improving work skills and developing the proper work habits are significant in attaining
and sustaining a job in the community. We are there to
assist and to make that outcome possible.”
If you think Maryhaven’s Vocational Programs
are for you, contact Claire Anastasi,
Program Manager at 631-924-5900,
Monday - Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Do you have a disability and wish to work
but don’t know whom to contact or where to
begin?
Are you afraid of what will happen to your
benefits if you return to work?
Are you interested in learning clerical and
computer skills, document imaging, porter
maintenance, materials handling and storage
or assembly line work?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you are
not alone...
Joseph Corsitto, Jeffrey Langdon and
Jeremy Spranger all answered “yes” to those
same questions and found their answer at
Maryhaven.
Lewis Grossman
ocational rogram
Chief Executive Officer
Referral & Training
Patricia Soviero-Fogarty
Executive Division Director, Adult Services
Amanda Dondero
Director of Vocational/Placement Services
Maryhaven Adult Services
Vocational Program
445 County Road 101, Suite A
Yaphank, NY 11980
Phone: 631.924.5900
Fax: 631.924.2464
Improving and Enriching
the Lives of
People with Special Needs
ocational rogram
MARYHAVEN’S VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Adults with disabilities develop the skills necessary to
participate as productive members of society through
training in social/communication skills and work
habits. The goal of the program is for each participant to obtain employment within an array of community based options or in Maryhaven’s Work
Center.
Joseph Corsitto
initially
came to Maryhaven as an
ACCES-VR referral for a diagnostic evaluation in 2008. Joe
needed some assistance in work
hardening skills and work tolerance and spent some time
receiving prevocational services. Over time, he
expressed an interest in porter maintenance training
and showed a real flair for the work. In December,
2011, Maryhaven’s Supported Employment Program*
found him a competitive porter maintenance position
at “The Arbors” Assisted Living.
In reference to his job, Joe states, “I like my job and my
supervisor. I get to do things that I like and people say
that I’m doing a good job. I like working and sometimes
my boss calls me in to work another day because they
need extra help. It’s cool to have a job that you like. If
I did have a problem, I can call my job coach.”
*Individuals in our Supportive Work Program are
provided with a job coach who will help them transition to a new job placement. The Maryhaven job
coach assists the individual with step-by-step training
and instruction until a job is mastered.
Jeffrey Langdon was evaluated by Maryhaven in both
duplication and imaging and
material handling and storage.
Maryhaven assisted Jeff in finding employment within the
community. Later, when an opening became available in our
Micrographics Department, he was hired by Maryhaven
as a Micrographics Warehouse Worker in 2005. Jeff is
responsible for storing and organizing thousands of
records, and is a valued member of our business.
According to Jeffrey, “I love working in the warehouse.
There’s a variety of work. Each day is different. Sometimes
I assist with deliveries on the truck. I’m determined to do the
best job that I can. I get a lot out of my job and feel good
about myself. I’m interested in moving up in the agency!”
Jeremy Spranger first came to
Maryhaven in April of 2011 after
graduating from high school and
dropping out of Suffolk County
Community College. Although
he experiences many physical limitations, his great strengths are his
willingness to work and winning
personality. After demonstrating
good packing and assembly skills, he expressed an interest
in general retail and packaging. Jeremy was referred to
our Placement Department and secured a job as a telephone operator at Lowe’s in Riverhead in December,
2011. This is Jeremy’s first competitive job, and his physical limitations are no barrier to his success.
With enthusiasm, Jeremy says, “Lowe’s is the first job I’ve
worked at, and I love it! I enjoy being able to help customers
and working with the other staff. I am so thankful to the
Maryhaven employees who have helped me at the job. I
always say, ‘Never give up!’ I didn’t give up and now I’m so
happy where I am today.”
Why are so many experienced
professionals drawn to Maryhaven...
One of Maryhaven’s strengths is the Agency’s ability to
attract and keep a highly professional staff who are dedicated to maintaining an environment where physically
and/or mentally challenged individuals can learn skills
needed to successfully find employment which fosters
self-esteeem and confidence.
Brad Corallo
Senior Vocational Counselor
“Maryhaven counselors have the
opportunity to assist persons with
a variety of disabilities to work
toward individualized vocational
goals. For example, one may work with an individual
with a specific learning problem while they are being
trained for competitive employment in the porter maintenance or duplication and imagining field. Others may
need the structure, feedback and positive reinforcement
of his/her counselor in order to maintain oneself in a
Work Center setting until they improve job readiness
skills. Both situations involve helping an individual
achieve and maintain success in his/her chosen vocational niche. From the counselor’s point of view, this work
can be both satisfying and meaningful.”