Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced on April 17 that The Arc Westchester Foundation has been awarded a three-year grant totaling $816,627 from The Taft Foundation to launch the Partnership for Inclusive Internships (PII) Program for Westchester County government. The grant will support The Arc Westchester Foundation, Westchester County government, and AHRC New York City, a chapter of The Arc New York, in expanding internship opportunities for individuals with disabilities and to help build pathways to meaningful employment and long-term career success for disabled individuals.
Jenkins said, “This investment represents a powerful step forward in our commitment to creating a more inclusive workforce in Westchester County. Everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute their talents and build a career. Through this partnership, we are opening doors and ensuring that individuals of all abilities have access to real, meaningful opportunities.”
The Arc Westchester CEO Tibi Guzmán said, “At The Arc Westchester, we believe that meaningful employment opportunities can transform lives and strengthen communities. We are proud to lead the launch of the Partnership for Inclusive Internships in Westchester County with the benefit of experience from AHRC New York City and the forward-thinking vision of Westchester County government. By working together, we are creating new ways for people with disabilities to contribute their skills and talents in public service while helping to foster a more inclusive and diverse employment landscape.
AHRC NYC CEO Marco Damiani said, “The Partnership for Inclusive Internships demonstrates what becomes possible when government, employers, and community organizations work together to open doors to talent that has too often been overlooked. We are deeply grateful to The Taft Foundation for making it possible to expand this internationally recognized model to Westchester County. With Arc Westchester serving as the lead agency, AHRC New York City is proud to provide subject-matter expertise drawn from years of experience implementing the program across New York City and State government. Together, we are helping ensure that people with disabilities have meaningful pathways into public service and that government benefits from a broader, more inclusive workforce.”
According to The Taft Foundation Executive Director Nina Bershadker, “Philanthropy plays a critical role in launching innovative models that can grow and be sustained over time. Having seeded the successful program in New York City, we are excited to bring the Partnership for Inclusive Internships to Westchester County. Through this collaboration, more individuals with developmental disabilities will have access to work-based learning experiences that are essential to securing competitive employment. We commend Westchester County for its leadership in building a more inclusive workforce and expanding meaningful civil service opportunities, and we are proud to partner with two exemplary providers, The Arc Westchester and AHRC New York City, to implement this proven model.”
