Open House 2009

On October 1, our Adult Services Campus was turned into a gallery of accomplishments, artwork and a not-to-be missed dance party celebration.  Participants, Trainees and Staff welcomed families and friends with each program presenting the highlights and achievements from the past year. 

We also recognized the 9 amazing trainees and participants who through their hard work and dedication demonstrate what it means to be “Turning Disabilities Into Possibilities.”   The 2009 Open House Trainees and Participants of the Year are:

Gerry, as she is known to her friends and co-workers, is in the Community Integration Program has improved her verbal skills over this last year, communicating her needs and wants while in program.  She has even started to join in an array of activities that the staff has planned each day.  She is independent, and enjoys taking computer classes three times a week.  She is very social, has a lot of friends at Gatepath and is always willing to help staff with outings.

Heather is an active, positive member of the Transition Services for Young Adults team.  She is respectful at all times to both staff and peers, as well as members of the community.  Heather works extremely hard at both paid job and volunteer sites.  Heather shows compassion to other participants on the team and helps to get her peers as enthused as she is.  Heather has expanded both her vocational and social skills this past year as well as learned rules of the community such as taking public transportation, safely crossing streets, waiting in line, etc.  Heather is a great addition to any team or workplace!

Jason Zocchi-Becerra

Jason has been working at Safeway in Foster City for over three years. He is a hard working employee who is well known by many customers and staff members because of his outstanding work and interpersonal skills.  Jason is dedicated to providing the best customer service by making sure the customer feels welcome and taken care of each and everyday. Jason follows instructions at all times and listens carefully to advice given to him.  He performs at high standards and exceeds all expectations and is an inspiration to all.

Jon Enriquez

Jon excels in all that he does at Gatepath.  He enjoys all activities that Community Integration/Work Adjustment Program offers and is the first to volunteer.  For example, Jon enjoys participating in vocational training, (including tagging sunglasses and office trash collection), San Mateo Adult School classes, and engaging in curriculum classes.   Jon is reliable and has great attendance; rarely missing a day of program.  He is always upbeat and takes full advantage of work, classes, and outings.  He is an inspiration to both staff and participants.

Latisha is an incredibly friendly and outgoing young lady, who has accomplished a great deal in both her professional and personal life.  Latisha lives independently in her own apartment, gets herself up and ready for work every day and has an active social life. It is her willingness to work hard, her selflessness with those around her and her terrific attitude which make her an excellent candidate for participant of the year of the Life Skills Program.

This October marks Rolando’s sixth year working in the chute room of the San Francisco Airport Marriott.  Rolando is Gatepath’s longest tenured worker at the Marriott, and has become a friend to many of the hotel staff.  Rolando gets on a bus from Hayward at 6:10 a.m. in order to arrive at work on time and always begins work with a positive attitude! When Rolando’s co-worker moved to another site, Rolando stepped up to the challenge of performing the work on his own! Rolando’s work attendance record is among the best of Gatepath’s Group Employment trainees.

When John arrives the Senior Program in the morning he goes straight to the area his walker is kept, parks his wheelchair, gets his walker and off he goes.  John also has a great sense of humor and a positive attitude and is very social and friendly, John keeps his personal calendar updated at all times and even reminds staff of upcoming events. John also participates in Gatepath’s Garden club and lets us know if plants have not been watered, if weeds need to be pulled and even when the grass needs to be mowed. John is a great role model to all.

Ron Navarro is quiet, funny, a master of knowledge in local history and overall an extraordinary man.  Ron has worked for Gatepath since 1978 and 31 years later he is still a major part of the Landscape team. Ron has gone from student to teacher; there is very little about this trade that he has not mastered.  Ron is a wonderful team player and is just as effective working independently.  Ron is a role-model to many in Landscape as well as throughout the agency.  Gatepath gave an opportunity to turn a job into a career, and after 30 years of dedication Ron Navarro has excelled in field.