Good Day Street Talk: May 10, 2025

Welcome to Good Day Street Talk, everybody. I'm Antoine Lewis. Here's what we're working

on today. Mental health awareness. We're going to take a look at the challenges to getting care

especially for those in communities of color. The National Alliance on Mental Illness New York

City is here with those answers. And also autism acceptance. We take on the issue of

unemployment as well as underemployment for persons diagnosed with autism and the skill

talent, and dedication they present to the workplace. But first, the mission of Include NYC

is to enhance the quality of life for New York City children and youth with disabilities from

birth to 26 years of age. Their belief is that every young person should be fully included in

school, in the workforce, as well as in the community. Sherelle Cruikshank is the Executive

Director. She's joining us now on the sofa. Nice to finally meet you in person, Sherelle. Nice to

Good to meet you as well. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. Tell us how you got started

So the organization was founded 41 years ago by three moms that had children with disabilities

and they struggled to find services for their children. And they got together around a kitchen table

and they wanted to make sure that other families like them didn't have the struggles that they had

So they started by putting together a resource guide of camps. And 41 years later, the organization is still here, but we provide resources for so much more than just camps, therapies and evaluations and supports and services and opportunities for a child with any known or suspected disability

And our goal is really to make sure that children with disabilities and youth with disabilities, that they have the same opportunities and that they can be as successful as possible with everything that's available for them

So we're here for them to provide them with that information so they can make informed decisions

One of the programs that you have is the Foster Parent and Family Engagement Helpline

Tell us a little bit about that one. So we are a family and community engagement center for New York City

We actually support all five boroughs of New York City. And we support families, whether they're foster families or they are natural families

by giving them what they need. And that could be a parent support group that may be accessed to services, whether it's for mental health or it's for anything that they need, really, so that they can be the best they can be for the children that they're supporting

So we are multifaceted in what we do. So we support the whole family

We want to make sure that everyone has everything they need so that they can be the best and show up

they can find community within Include NYC as we connect them with other families, as we connect

them with other youths with disabilities, and we bring them together to help them tell their story

in a way that helps them to advocate for whatever it is they're looking for in life

Now, how do you connect with the families? Is the outreach more on your end or do you have

partnerships? So actually, we do have about 400 partnerships across on New York City, but families

usually call us. They call us on our helpline and they ask us for whatever they need. If they want

medical evaluation, if they're not sure if their child has a disability and they're right in the

beginning of the journey. Many families call us periodically throughout the journey because they

come back because we continue to provide them with the resources that they need. They also find us on

our website. Our information is up in New York City Public Schools because that is a partner of

hours. We work with them to make sure that the best family engagement is going on, including

families into the processes for their child's IEP or in school, whatever they need. If they're

having difficulties, we help them to advocate for what they need. So that's usually the way they

find us and through word of mouth. Families know families with kids with disabilities. So they

share the information and say, hey, Include NYC can probably help you. So that's usually the way

they find us. Sherelle, how do you do the one-on-ones? Because I understand that's also a

main linchpin, if you will, of your program. So we have youth and transition services

and we have a program called Project Possibility. And everywhere we support 100 plus youths. And

they work directly with our youth educators, and we help them to plan for what they want to do

after high school. And we start that conversation when they're around 14. And for even those youths

that have graduated and maybe whatever trajectory they thought they were going to was not successful

they can come to us and we sit with them and we talk about what do they need. And once they've outlined their goals and their outcomes, then we talk about what do they need

what supports are necessary for them to be most successful. And let's find those supports

We help them find those supports. We give them the plan. We check in with them

We help them to revise the plan. As you know, life changes, desires change

Same thing happens here. And we work with them until they find themselves in a place where they want to be

At the end of the day, it's about success in your community, whether it's at work, whether it's at home, whether it's at church or it's at school

If you want to go to college, we have a program called College is Possible. We partner with CUNY and a lot of other organizations to talk about what are the services available for young people with disabilities that want to go to college and how do we help them to get through their courses and be successful

When you talk about disabilities, can you just give us the range of the young people

that you're serving? So, we serve children from birth to 26. They have whatever disability they come with

So whether that autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities whether it blindness or deafness we have partners that work with us so that if we don have the exact expertise we can connect them in a way that makes sense for their lives

You have a very special event on June the 1st. Why don't you tell us about that? We do. Outdoors for autism. It is such a wonderful event. Last year, we had over 700 people come through the park

We have partners, the Intrepid, the Children's Museum, Daniel's Music Foundation, Special Olympics

The kids were playing tennis. They got their face painted. We had extreme kids

They were making T-shirts. It's a wonderful opportunity, for one, for families to come together in community and feel comfortable

Nobody's staring at them. Nobody's looking at their kids. Because everybody is used to living with a child with a disability, and they're just all in community

But it also lets them see the opportunities that are available for their kids

So we bring them together in that way so that they can see that. So that's June 1st, Mulally Park

And also, you have a run, walk, roll. Run, walk, and roll for Love, Equity, and Access

This is our 5K. It is September 28th at Flushing Meadow Park

We're super excited. Bring friends, walk independently, create a group, come together

and help us walk for something we really believe in, which is access for people with disabilities

All right. Nice to meet you finally in person. Yes, very nice to meet you. Thank you for having us

Stay right there. Up next, everybody, employment opportunities for individuals living with autism

and the skills and commitment they bring to the workplace. We're going to break it down when we return

Welcome back. Recent studies show that up to 85% of adults with autism are unemployed

That's a very alarming statistic that further demonstrates the need for better employment opportunities

And here to discuss all of this, we have a full couch. I want you to meet Vanessa Rogan, parent of an adult with autism and chairperson of the nonprofit Life's Work

Next to her is businessman John Byrne, owner of Next Level Cafe. Beside John is David Kim

David is living with autism and is employed as a barista at one of John's stores

And beside David is Tom Wiginton, who's also with Life's Work. Vanessa, let's start with you

How have you changed since you've become an advocate for people with autism in the disability community

My husband and I have two boys. Our youngest is named Harry. He's 29

He does have autism. So we've been advocates for as long as he's been alive

And we're happy to be with Life's Work in Garden City. We also live in Garden City

And our son, Harry, lives in one of our group homes. He goes to programs with Life's Work

So we are all in with Life's Work. and we're happy that now there's a new emphasis on finding employment for persons with autism and other disabilities

As you mentioned, 85% are unemployed. John, that's very alarming. You know, you're a businessman

How did you process that when you learned the numbers were so high? Just listening, learning, and working with the different people with autism

They've actually, David has been exceptional in doing what he does for us

He's actually coached up our whole staff. in the three locations that we run

Each of the restaurants, he comes in. Everybody sees him and they pick up their game

So he's been an asset. And what we want to do is we want to create opportunities

for a lot more people with special needs to work within the labor movement

and just getting other people to identify the people that are here. Now, David, tell me what it is that you do at Next Level Cafe

Operate the cash register and also how to use the new coffee machine

and also the brand new AI cooking machine. Okay, we're going to come back to this AI conversation since you've injected that

Let me ask Tom. Tom, when you see employees who are thriving and growing, such as David and others

how does it impact you and what you're doing with Life's Work? You know, I kind of oversee culinary excellence

And so working with David, we went through barista training, and he excelled

at the register. He's totally engaging with the customers. And so David assembled two meals and

completely cooked them with the AI oven. You know, we started a classification program with a yellow

scarf, a blue scarf and a red and turned it into aprons where the yellow scarf is where they're

learning proficiencies and technical abilities. And as they get promoted, they go to the blue apron

and then the red apron. So right now, David is one of the prodigies of the program. And we're

just opening our third cafe in Long Island and partnered with Fairfield Properties. And now

we're just signing our first location in the village here in New York. So the program's growing

and David and I are lockstep every day that he's there. And he's just done a phenomenal job

Vanessa, I want to ask you, being a parent, you know, when you see stories like David

you know, and what you're going through, how does it impact the message that you're trying to get

out through your advocacy. That persons with disabilities need, seek, and can excel in

employment if given the opportunity. It would be a benefit to them, to the community with which they

will then work with. It is just a win-win all of the way around. As Tom describes it, when David is

working with the other employees, he just ups the game, generally speaking, and it makes everybody

feel good and really doing good work and bringing good work to those who really so desperately

want it, need it and can excel at it. John, not every businessman would take on such an endeavor

Can you talk to us about why you said no? This is absolutely something that we at Next Level want to do How I got involved with life work was I was at a golf outing met a gentleman who has passed away Rick Del Mastro but he was one of the originators of Life Work

and he was a figure larger than Life. And so I spent some time with him, had a conversation

He showed me the right path to work for businesses, and I know that I think if we can get other businesses

to do the same thing we're doing and make the effort, it's just going to grow exponentially

David, were you nervous at first when you first started working at Next Level

No, not really. I remain calm and efficient. Just don't let anything get to you

Just remain calm and be a proper employee or employer to any job

I know it's tough. It is tough. It's never that easy. But we make it work no matter what happens

We have to live up every expectations. Because if we don't, we may be poor and broke

That's why we have to improve ourselves, find help however we can

Tom, you're listening to him talk. When you hear David speak so earnestly from his heart

how does that impact you in the role that you're not just, you know, a manager, if you will

but isn't there some mentoring also going on? Yeah, you have to take pause and understand that we're all here

we're all different places doing different things. And what he's really taught me is one thing, that every person needs validation

And we all need validation. And so this young man I'm extremely proud of and the others that we're mentoring

But David, I've grown fond to in the sense of he shows his heart and he bears it

Vanessa, with life's work, is it just New York that you're servicing? Actually, we are headquartered in Garden City on Long Island

The agency began in 1971. It was founded by Victoria Schneps, who had a daughter with a disability in Willowbrook

Peralda Rivera was asked by Vicki to do an expose, and from that expose, discovered the

difficulties that Willowbrook was having. And Victoria Schnipps then took it upon herself with

some of the women with whom she was close to really pioneer and began and opened life's work

So we're headquartered in Garden City. We have 45 group homes. We have a number of day programs

throughout Nassau, Suffolk County, Queens, into Manhattan. So we're growing. We service hundreds

of people. Hundreds of people live in our group homes, of which my son is one. So we are addressing

the needs as they continue to become greater. There's a greater now percentage of persons who

are diagnosed with autism. So we're addressing the growing needs at hand. John, let me ask you

the business community, as large as it is, can be very singular when everybody's on a shared mission

Can you tell me quickly just about some of the conversations you've had with fellow businessmen

trying to explain to them why this is something they should consider? I've had some really great

dialogue with a lot of great companies. We've had a lot of companies that are donating back part of

their sales. Next Level Fitness, Water, Quencher, Juice. These are just two of the companies that

have jumped on board. We have Fairfield Properties has given us locations that we can set up these

cafes. Tom, if there is a reason that you would share with someone and why they should consider

you know, making sure that to address this unemployment that's going on in the workplace

and look to people, you know, whether on the spectrum or just with disabilities

What's the one thing you'd say? I think people sometimes get caught up in the moment

I think if you step back and actually give back and help someone, then I think the reward is endless

and the sense to come in every day and be somewhat selfless is a great place to be

David, baby, bring us home. You get the final question of this interview. What is your best drink

What coffee? What's the specialty, the one that you have the most fun making at work

Just an espresso. I don't have any favorite coffee. not one bit, but I'm doing the best I can to make them great coffee for everyone

We will leave it there. I'm going to shake your hand as soon as I let everybody know what's coming

up. We're still knocking down barriers. We're talking about access to mental health care and

support. Who's affected most? We'll discuss this when we come back. We're back

Getting access to mental health treatment is critical, but one demographic in particular faces more barriers than the others

Joining us now for more is Jonathan Chung, who is Advocacy Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness New York City

Jonathan, nice to meet you. Thank you for having me. Good morning. Sounds like a basic question, but it's a tough one

Please define for us what constitutes mental illness. So, you know, mental health is really a term that's a broad spectrum

We all experience mental health challenges in our day-to-day lives. But when we talk about mental illness, that's when someone who has a thought or behavior or mood disorder that really affects their day-to-day lives

And so it's really a broad spectrum. And there's folks who have serious mental illness

That is another category, but it really constitutes how we feel, our mental health, our well-being, and, you know, really what's important for us

How are we affected when we talk about it, meaning we the collective

So, you know, one in five of us live with a mental health challenge, and the other four are family members and caregivers, right

So we're all affected by mental health. And so, you know, it's something that we're happy that there's a lot more conversation around it because the truth of the matter is, is that there isn't enough conversation

There is a lot of individuals who really do feel alone and feel by themselves and they don have a place to go to And so it really important that we have conversations like this to let folks know that there are organizations like NAMI NYC that can help Jonathan we talking about who should get

access to it and who's facing the most challenges it's our communities of color can you just talk

about why that's the case? Sure you know unfortunately it's something that we don't even acknowledge in a

lot of our communities and families and that's certainly I think the case for myself if you don't

talk about it. There are no places to go. So we have the stigma and we have a lack of support

both within our family structures and then externally. For example, as a black man

when you feel like you need to go and have help and you turn to your peers, right? I'm not feeling

well. You're told to man up. You know, you're having an issue and you go sometime, you talk to

mom or dad, you're having a bad day, maybe just go out and play, right? And so we don't really

have the conversations that I think are necessary and don't provide the spaces necessary for folks

like us to really have these really important conversations. So in your role is part of that

breaking down or trying to get through those barriers because everything that you just described

if it didn't impact us individually as someone of color, we certainly know that conversation that

has taken place with other people in the household or family. Absolutely. Again, if you don't have

that support within the family, then you really don't know where to turn. If you can't turn to

your peers, then you really just become this feeling of isolation. And so part of the work

that we do at NAMI NYC is that we have over 40 support groups that help build community

And it's based on a range of things, can be social, how you identify. And particularly

we have a support group called Black Minds Matter. So individuals can come, be their authentic selves

learn that you are not alone, that there are other individuals who feel just like you are going

through those same types of things. And then once we really feel that community, do we really begin

that path of recovery? How do you get the word out? How do you make sure others are aware

you know, of the programs and what you all do at NAMI NYC? Yeah. So, you know, one of the things

that I don't want to be is the best kept secret in New York City, right? I would love for everyone

to know who NAMI NYC is. And so, you know, really appreciate the opportunity to have this

conversation and to share that information with individuals because it's really important that

they access those resources and support. You know, NAMI NYC is the only nonprofit in New York City

that provides direct support services to family members who care for an individual who lives with

mental illness. And so investing in resources, investing in organizations like ours really help

change the dynamic in terms of helping individuals seek that recovery. Jonathan, in as much as we

talk about it and we hear the broad term, you know, individuals with mental health challenges

Can you talk about services to the support system? Because that also, you know, people who are trying to take care of, you know, the caregivers

you all address their needs as well because that's tough. Absolutely. So, you know, we are a peer-led, peer-run organization

It means that we're guided by lived experience, and we really use that experience to work on improving the lives of individuals

and family members who are affected by mental illness. And, again, you know, we are the only nonprofit that does provide that direct service

And what we realize is that when family members are empowered and they have those resources to help their loved one, that loved one goes to the emergency room less, doesn't have to be hospitalized

Right. And when you look at it from we hate to, you know, break it down to a dollars and cents thing

But that's the reality in which we live in. investing in preventative care such as this saves the government so much money in the long run

instead of having to incarcerate individuals and hospitalize individuals that it really just

doesn't make sense on how family support doesn't get the resources that it needs. And so that's

something that's really important. You have a new CEO. Can you talk about the vision? Yes

we are really excited. You know, part of the advocacy work that we do is promoting mental

health education in schools, right? Because suicide is the second leading cause of death

Yes, it is. For young folks 10 to 24. And so, you know, that's something that we really, really emphasize and

really try to focus on. And we have a new leader who really is passionate about that issue. And

Maggie Mortali, we are beyond excited to have her at NAMI NYC. And we're really excited and big

things are on the horizon for us. Tell me about the walk that's taking place on May 18th

Yes, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And again, we really need to work on breaking down the stigma and having conversations

And so on May 18th, the South Street Seaport, 10 a.m. between Piers 16 and 17

we are going to have our annual NAMI NYC Walk and Mental Health Street Fest

So we hope folks can come down. It's a real opportunity to share in community

All of the programs and services that we provide are free of charge. And so it's a real important way for us to raise the funds necessary to provide and continue to provide those services

And so, you know, we really want to celebrate that day with community. We hope that everyone watching can come out, really support

It's a fantastic day filled with music and games, and it's really a good time

I myself became aware of the fantastic services that NAMI NYC provides

It was really something that I wanted to be a part of. And, you know, it's not just a professional thing, but it's really a personal journey as well

And I think that's true for so many of us that work there. And it's really such a wonderful organization

Let me shake your hand, man. Thank you. Stay right there for one second. That's going to do it for our show today, everybody

Thank you so much for joining us. For all of us here at Fox 5, I'm Antoine Lewis

Thank you for the company. We'll see you next time for more Street Talks. Stay safe