Leonardo, a graduate from our Project SEARCH job training program, is proud to share where he was born: Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. 

Today, the hospital is called NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester—and it’s where Leonardo has just begun his second year of employment with the food services team. 

“It’s my first job, and I couldn’t have done this without the guidance and support I received from Ability Beyond,” Leonardo said. “Staff helped me to maintain my position at my job week-by-week, and made sure I was the best version of myself, so I’ll be able to master any skill and every task given to me.”

Our staff—including Transition Services Manager Alexis Parker-Powell and Employment Specialist Madelyn Sabatino—also supported Leonardo’s mother, Mirna, through the transition. 

“To tell you the truth, I was scared for him to go to a job—I wasn’t ready,” said Mirna. “Alexis said, ‘Come on. He’s prepared.’ And he surprised me. Don’t underestimate anyone.”

A Love of Learning

On the path to employment, Leonardo was driven by a lifelong passion for learning.

Diagnosed with autism and ADHD from a young age, Leonardo and his mother faced a maze of early interventions and school placements, searching, and often fighting, for the right fit. In middle school, Leonardo even became the victim of bullying. 

“My mom and I thought I wasn’t at the right school,” Leonardo said. “For that, we fought the Board of Education and got me into the right place.”

At Tuckahoe Middle High School, Leonardo made new friends, gained confidence, and demonstrated academic excellence. While pursuing his diploma, Leonardo also enrolled at Southern Westchester BOCES to study television and video production. But when he graduated in 2021, he entered a locked-down world. 

“Unfortunately, there was no ceremony because of the pandemic,” Leonardo said. “By 2022, I didn’t have anything to do, and there was no other program that could assist me with continuing education.”  

On the SEARCH

That’s when Leonardo and his mother learned about Project SEARCH at Ability Beyond:  a year-long, immersive internship experience for young adults with disabilities. 

“I gained much more positivity, and became more confident and mindful at work,” Leonardo said. “Ability Beyond has been fundamental in my growth, and this excellent program encouraged me to do bigger things in my life.”

With Project SEARCH, Leonardo also learned to make a resume and apply for a job, allowing him to pursue a long-term position at the same hospital where he was born.

“Leo is very determined,” said Employment Specialist Madelyn Sabatino, who continues to support Leonardo. “He knows what he’s seeking and what he wants, and he stays on track for the trajectory. Sometimes you can start down a path and life happens, or you face a challenging situation and you fall off. He has been able to push through all that.”

Skills at Work and in Life

At NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, Leonardo works in the fast-paced, regulated world of food services, where he manages coffee service for visitors, including nurses and doctors. 

He is also responsible for porter duties at the end of the day. In this role, he helps to sweep and mop the kitchen, clean the stove, take out the garbage, and exchange used lunch trays in the emergency room for fresh dinner trays. Anyone with food service experience knows these are essential tasks in the flow of operations. Leonardo has risen to the occasion, even winning an award for his hard work and dedication.

“When I go and support Leo, he does not need my assistance with the job itself—he’s got that down, no problem,” Madelyn said. “He is effective and efficient, and I act as a support system in case he faces any issues in the work environment.” 

As a result of his success, Leonardo has been invited to speak at White Plains Hospital regarding his experience and delivered remarks at the Ability Beyond golf tournament in Chappaqua to raise donations for Project SEARCH.

“He is so proud to inspire others like him, and to give other people the opportunity to learn and achieve their goals,” Mirna said.