A Partnership Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and a time to recognize excellence in community partnership advancing efforts to train and employ people with disabilities. CareOne at Cresskill and the Turning Point Program of Bergen Community College partnered together on an initiative that ended well for Cresskill resident, George Athanasopoulos. CareOne at Cresskill welcomed George to participate in an internship when the company’s Administrator, Cheryl Dorn, arranged for him to apprentice under the tutelage of Culinary Director, Addy Iskandar.

As a Turning Point student taking a Dietary Aide course through The Division of Continuing Education, the internship at CareOne was crucial to George’s vocational training and skill development. With the mentorship of Addy and the Cresskill team, George gained the knowledge and hands on experience that would eventually lead to a job offer with the CareOne. George remains employed and grateful to CareOne for the opportunity.