The Arc Westchester honors 2026 inclusive employers at Tarrytown breakfast

The Arc Westchester hosted its 2026 Annual Employer Recognition Breakfast and Awards Ceremony at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel in Tarrytown on Friday, October 23. Nearly 200 business leaders, elected officials, families, and advocates attended the event to celebrate local companies that hire employees with developmental disabilities. The gathering took place during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

The Arc Westchester is the largest organization in Westchester County supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families. The agency currently partners with nearly 100 employers across the county. Together, these partners employ more than 150 individuals with developmental disabilities in community jobs. The organization recently expanded its program to include internships in county offices through the Partnership for Inclusive Internships.

Barry Clark, Executive Director of The Arc Westchester Foundation, stated that the organization maintains a 75% employment rate for people with developmental disabilities seeking work. He noted that this figure compares to a nationwide average of 38%. Clark said the agency offers opportunities for individuals to earn an income and build a meaningful career.

Tibi Guzmán, CEO of The Arc Westchester, said the organization identifies opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to work and thrive as valuable employees. Guzmán stated that the organization believes diversity of talents, voices, skills, and personalities makes for a stronger workplace. She added that the more than 200 people joining the breakfast agree with that assessment.

The ceremony recognized several local entities and individuals. The City of Yonkers Office for the Aging received the Distinguished Partner Award. Compass Group received the Impact Award, while Grapes the Wine Company received the New Partnership Award. Cintas received the Continuing Partnership Award, and NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health received the Employer Excellence Award. Jack Lambert, an administrative assistant at Southeast Consortium for Special Services, Inc., received the Anthony Cannata Memorial Employee Award.

Ellen Bloom, MPH, Director of Community Affairs for NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, served as the keynote speaker. Bloom spoke about the value and impact of the program to everyone involved. Employees and employers also addressed the crowd to describe what inclusive hiring has meant in their specific workplaces. Students from The Lagond Music School performed for guests as they arrived at the hotel.