The Arc Westchester Honors Businesses Championing Inclusive Employment

The Arc Westchester, the largest organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in Westchester County, will host its Annual Employer Recognition Breakfast and Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY. The event, which runs from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, will honor local businesses that have demonstrated outstanding support and dedication to employing individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Employer Recognition Breakfast brings together business leaders, community members, and advocates to celebrate the partnerships between employers and The Arc Westchester. These partnerships have helped create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to their communities. In fact, The Arc Westchester has over 250 business partners and more than 300 individuals working in the community.

This year’s keynote speaker is Sean Meade, General Manager of Meyer Jabara Hotels/Cambria Hotels White Plains Downtown. Under his leadership, the hotel has partnered with The Arc Westchester since 2018, employing two people supported through the organization’s employment program.

The 2025 Award Recipients:

• Visionary Award – Applegreen, Hastings-on-Hudson
• Promoting Independence Award – ShopRite, Croton
• New Partnership Award – Hawthorne Foundation, Inc.
• Continuing Partner Award – Wegmans, Harrison
• Long Standing Award – Starbucks, Yorktown
• Advocate Award – Anthony Reda, Uncle Giuseppe’s, Yorktown
• Community Partner Award – Craig Sevilla Donelly, Sister Mary T. Clark RSCJ Center for Religion and Community Service at Manhattanville University, Purchase
• Anthony Cannata Memorial Employee Award – Kellene McGregor, ShopRite, Croton

“The Arc Westchester is dedicated to integrating people with developmental disabilities into the vibrant business community of Westchester County. We strongly believe in the power of diversity, of talents, voices, skills, and personalities, to enhance workplaces. This belief is shared by over 100 companies who actively employ people we support,” states Tibi Guzman, CEO, The Arc Westchester.

At the breakfast, attendees will have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories about the positive impact of inclusive employment, learn about the work of The Arc Westchester, and celebrate the achievements of both the people served by the organization and the businesses that support them.

“We are proud to say that The Arc Westchester has a 60% employment rate for people with developmental disabilities who are seeking employment, compared to the 33% nationwide average. We offer opportunities to achieve employment, earn an income and build a meaningful career,” states Barry Clark, Executive Director of The Arc Westchester Foundation.

The Arc Westchester is committed to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have access to inclusive employment and opportunities to be active members of the workforce. With a wide range of programs and services, The Arc Westchester supports over 2,000 individuals and their families throughout the county, fostering independence, self-determination, and community participation.

For more information about the Employer Recognition Breakfast, including sponsorship opportunities which help The Arc Westchester educate potential employers about Career Services, and ticket information visit https://arcwestchester.org/ERB2025/