Public Advocate visits Astoria non-profit Human First

Public Advocate Letitia James and program member Anthony Tricomi.

Human First CEO Wafa Abboud discuses the organization’s services with the Public Advocate.

Public advocate Letitia James visited Astoria non-profit Human First today, learning more about the group’s range of programming and services for New York City’s developmentally disabled communities living in traditionally under-served areas.

The visit honed in on the organization’s Transition to Employment program, which aims to place high-functioning individuals in various modes of employment, tailoring each job or volunteer opportunity to the talents and strengths of the potential employee and the needs of the employer. As part of the program potential employees go through vigorous job training, and speak with advisors up to 4 times a week to monitor their experiences and growth.

Lenny Moise, a Customized Employment Specialist who heads the program, said that 70-90 people were currently waiting for placement after having undergone the training program.

“We know that everyone has strengths in some areas and we try to focus on those strengths,” said Chief Executive Officer of Human First, Wafa Abboud. “Some people can work in Barnes and Noble because they know books more than anyone. Some peoples’ accounting skills are amazing.”

Abboud and Moise said that while federal subsidies were available to companies that employed developmentally disabled students, more state and local tax credits could be a huge help in implementing more of the community into the work force.

“There are a lot of states that have moved towards these subdies a long time ago, so we’re kind of catching up with other states,” said Abboud. “New York was more involved with maintaining services [for the developmentally disabled], and supporting them to live a good life. Employment was not a major part of what the state was focused on. It’s important. Percentage-wise, there’s many people who are capable of working, but aren’t.”

One member of the program, Anthony Tricomi, discussed his experience working at Gamestop, a position secured through the program. He said the job had enabled him to save up for a new PS4 Playstation.

With Gamestop only a part-time position, Public Advocate James suggested Tricomi work at her Manhattan office a couple days a week, setting an interview for next Friday.

“Just say you know Tish James,” she said as interview tip.