Recognition at 1st Goodwill NYNJ Employer Appreciation Ceremony Marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month
New York, NY – October 16, 2017 – Goodwill® Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. honored Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, today with an award for her outstanding support in hiring individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. The recognition occurred at Goodwill’s first Employer Appreciation Ceremony, held at the Jewish Community Center (JCC).
Goodwill NYNJ organized the event to mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and to recognize employers who have partnered with the social enterprise to help further its mission by hiring individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers.
Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of DCAS, said “Under the mayor’s leadership our city has set a goal of ensuring that New York City works for everyone including people with disabilities. This administration celebrates the fact that people with disabilities have the right to work. And as we all know, a diverse team is a strong team -a better team. And as the commissioner of the department of citywide administrative services, we’re committed to implementing that vision, his bold agenda on diversity inclusion and hiring.”
Katy Gaul-Stigge, Goodwill NYNJ President and CEO, told attendees, “The unemployment rate for persons with a disability was 10.5 percent in 2016, about twice that of those with no disability. People with disabilities are kept out of the marketplace out of fear from employers of the unknown, or concern with what is different. At Goodwill NYNJ, our core mission is to eliminate these false obstacles to employment for people with barriers and disabilities. We walk the walk. Our social enterprise thrift stores employ one in seven people with a disability, and Goodwill’s employment programs in New York and New Jersey placed 1,377 persons with disabilities in both temporary and permanent employment in 2016.”
Ms. Camilo was appointed Commissioner of DCAS in January 2016. Commissioner Camilo has a long history of public service. She was appointed as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) and City Chief Procurement Officer by Mayor Bill de Blasio in April 2014, where she ensured Mayoral agencies’ compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements related to the City’s procurement of billions of dollars of goods and services. She began in MOCS in 2011 in the legal unit, also serving and also served as its Acting General Counsel. Prior to MOCS, Camilo served as the New York City Council’s Legislative Counsel for its Contracts, Juvenile Justice and General Welfare Committees. Previously, she was an attorney practicing immigration law at a private law firm. She began her legal career as counsel for UNITE HERE Local 100.
Born and raised in Washington Heights, Lisette Camilo is a graduate of Columbia College, Columbia University and George Washington University School of Law.
Goodwill NYNJ presented certificates to recognize more than twenty employers that helped to create 1,377 jobs in 2016. Employers included City agencies, the American Museum of Natural History, Burlington Coat Factory, CVS, COFFEED, Catholic Charities, and Goodwill stores.
About the Department of Citywide Administrative Services
DCAS offers programs and opportunities for the public to ensure city agencies have the resources needed to provide the best possible services to the public. DCAS conducts civil service examinations and coordinates internship opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in public service; provides many opportunities for those seeking to do business with New York City; auctions the city’s surplus vehicles and equipment, and offers unique gifts and memorabilia at CityStore.
About Goodwill NYNJ
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. is a social enterprise that provides workforce development services, and retail and business opportunities. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to gain independence through the power or work. The 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization operates 57 programs and is a member of the network of 162 agencies of Goodwill Industries International, each with a designated region.
Goodwill NYNJ’s 42 retail stores support its mission through the sale of new and gently used donated goods while providing training and employment for its core constituency. GoodTemps, its temporary staffing division, places 700 individuals in jobs weekly in private companies and city and state agencies. Its welfare to work programs offer resources and supports to break the cycle of poverty for those facing significant barriers.
Since its beginnings in Brooklyn 10 years ago, Goodwill has helped greater New York area residents become work-ready so that they can build better lives for themselves and their families.
Learn more about Goodwill NYNJ at www.goodwillnynj.org.
Jose Medellin
Director of Communications
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc.
Phone: (718) 371-7251
Email: jmedellin@goodwillnynj.org