The Fedcap Group Golf Tournament: Bringing Sponsors and Supporters Together

The Fedcap Group Golf Tournament: Bringing Sponsors and Supporters Together

The Fedcap Group’s annual Golf Tournament raised funds and awareness of The Power of Possible.

On Monday, August 8, The Fedcap Group held its annual Golf Tournament at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York. Eighteen golf foursomes played under beautiful summer skies at the highly regarded par-70 course designed by renowned golf course architect A. W. Tillinghast.

The event, attended by representatives of partners and supporters, was an opportunity to gather together to advance the mission of The Fedcap Group: to create opportunities and improve the lives of people with barriers to economic well-being.

Following a day on the links, attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner with raffle prizes ranging from golf accessories to gift certificates to the Quaker Ridge pro shop. The lucky winner of the “50/50” raffle donated his winnings back to The Fedcap Group.

Many thanks to our sponsors – ABFS Facility Service Solutions, Ken Raisler, Cleaning Systems, Metro Elevator, Ocean Janitorial Supply, Sterling Sanitary Supply Corp, American Paper & Supply Company, Caso Document Management, Imprint Marketing Concepts, J.E. Ryan & Associates, eProcessPort, Platinum Maintenance, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Compass, Huron, Mutual of America, RAL, USI, and Blackheart. Thanks also to Quaker Ridge and all our friends and supporters who make this event possible.

The Fedcap School Graduates Another Remarkable Class

The Fedcap School Graduates Another Remarkable Class

Seventeen remarkable young people graduated from The Fedcap School in a ceremony on June 14, 2022. This year’s class continued an exceptional metric of success for The Fedcap School—100 percent of enrolled students have graduated over the past five years. All of this year’s graduates are either starting jobs or going to college.

Many of the students are the first in their family to graduate from high school. One graduate, a young woman who joined the school at 13 and is now 21, struggled hard at first but has earned a bonded security license to provide security for banks. She said, “I thought I would never make it to this day. I’m a different person now and I can hardly believe it.”

“I was especially proud of this group because they had two years of remote instruction,” said Fedcap School Director Luanne Macri. “I saw firsthand what being out of school for that long did to them, and how they regressed. They missed their friends. It was hard, and it took a while to get it all back.”

Eric Waters, Senior Director of Wildcat, a company of The Fedcap Group, gave an inspiring keynote speech to the graduates and guests. He talked about his long years of work in the child welfare system, and his current work with people who are incarcerated. Eric teaches a class at Sing Sing Prison, and recently asked his students, many of whom were incarcerated at a young age, if they had any messages for the graduates. One of the men, who has been incarcerated for decades, responded with a moving and powerful letter that resonated deeply with the graduates: “Prison is a lonely place where all your friends and even family forget who you are. Think long and hard about what you want to become, and the places you don’t want to go. Your graduation is a step in the right direction. Now prove to the doubters that you are something. Too often we lose track of who we are and head down the wrong path. The memory of today and the happiness you feel needs to be what keeps you moving in a positive direction. Don’t give up on your dreams or take your freedom for granted.”

Located in West Orange, NJ, The Fedcap School is dedicated to helping students ages 13-21 classified with cognitive, multiple, or behavioral disabilities succeed, thrive into adulthood and achieve sustainable economic well-being. Students are eligible, and encouraged as indicated, to stay with the school until age 21, so that they can continue to receive needed services. “That way, we can focus on work readiness, attitude, and building the skills needed to be successful in college or the workplace—things unfamiliar to many of our students,” Luanne said.

The Fedcap School’s graduation success rate, and the accomplishments of the job and college-bound graduates, is all the more remarkable given that all students who attend The Fedcap School are diagnosed with emotional regulation impairment (ERI), which can be characterized by an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships, inappropriate behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances, or a pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression. Abuse, incest and violence are common occurrences in the lives of the students. Many have lost family members to violence, and all have been approached to join a gang.

What accounts for The Fedcap School’s profound impact on the lives of these children, and the team’s success if helping them to graduate?

“Students with ERI are hard to manage and that makes placement difficult, so we made a decision years ago to ensure that we were a solid resource and successfully serve children with ERI,” Luanne said. “We do it by communicating, by listening and suspending judgment. It’s easy to judge based on how they talk and act, but we listen to earn their confidence, and we respect them so they will respect themselves and us. I have seen and heard things where I have to hold it together, then go find someplace to cry and shake it off. It isn’t a job for the faint of heart.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES!

Gabriel Galvez Gains Stability for Himself—and His Family—Through Working with Fedcap Rehabilitation

Gabriel Galvez Gains Stability for Himself—and His Family—Through Working with Fedcap Rehabilitation


Gabriel Galvez had a hard time as a young man. He struggled with depression and made some poor decisions along the way. After a period of incarceration, he had a moment of clarity that he said hit him “like a shining star.”


“I was headed down the wrong path and didn’t realize the harm he was causing to myself and my family. I didn’t want to live in poverty. I know I could do better.”

He certainly has, A hardworking father of two, Gabriel, 31, started working for Fedcap at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building on 125th Street in Manhattan. It was a long way from his home in Brooklyn, and he and his wife had to pay for child care because they couldn’t pick their kids up from school. Gabriel was able to transfer to 14th Street to work on sanitizing projects related to the pandemic. It was closer to home, but an even better opportunity soon presented itself.

In December, 2021, when Fabio Lopez, Area Manager for Fedcap Total Facilities Management (TFM), got a call about a vacancy on the MTA contract at 130 Livingston Street Plaza in Brooklyn, he called supervisors at 14th Street to see if they could recommend someone. They could; it was Gabriel.

From the start of his work for Fedcap, Gabriel was known as a great worker. “I was told that he would be a perfect fit for that location because of how he had proven himself as an employee,” Fabio said. “There were no issues at all with him and he always gave 110 percent.”

Herbert Mercado, Gabriel’s supervisor at 14th Street, concurs. “He got along well with all the other workers and always got the job done. I was happy to recommend him.”

“To me learning is fun,” Gabriel said. “I’m very handy, and I try to be open-minded. I like to help people out, I have always been that way.”

The move to 130 Livingston Street would be a good one for Gabriel. With the potential for COVID-related services winding down, and with two children ages 14 and 6 to provide for, Gabriel wanted something more stable. The work at Livingston offered that, as well as opportunities to become a team leader or field supervisor. It also meant a morning shift, leaving him enough time to pick up his kids at school.

Prior to the move becoming official, Fabio met with Gabriel at 14th Street. “He was very motivated,” Fabio said. “He opened up about how grateful he was to Fedcap for providing him with the opportunity for more stable work so that he could continue to provide for his family.”

John Savilli, Facilities Manager for the MTA-NYC- Headquarters, 130 Livingston, has been working with Gabriel since he joined the MTA contract at Livingston in March, 2022. One of the things that John noticed immediately about Gabriel is that he loves to help his colleagues. He’s very communicative, and eager to teach new skills and techniques that he has learned on the job.

For example, on a recent Saturday, Gabriel came in to learn about a new process for stripping and waxing floors. The process involved new cleaning procedures and chemicals, and Gabriel dove right in, asking questions, learning it cold, and eagerly explaining it to his colleagues.

“I never saw anyone so excited about learning a new process,” John said. “He even had some suggestions for how it could be improved. Gabriel is a real gentleman, very outgoing and very resourceful, and a mentor to other employees. He always goes above and beyond and will work any shift where he is needed, including emergency shift, overnights and weekends.”

Gabriel is thrilled with his new job, and hopes one day to be a team leader or supervisor for Fedcap. “Fedcap has been a great community and family for me. I have learned so much, and they help me out a lot with my personal disability. I’ve learned to be more aware of certain things. Fedcap is just awesome, one of a kind.”

Fedcap Rehabilitation Teams Help GSA Sites Stay Safe

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Fedcap Rehabilitation Teams Help GSA Sites Stay Safe

Fedcap Rehabilitation, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit agencies for janitorial, mechanical maintenance, and other services, has been providing the General Services Administration (GSA) with facilities management and custodial services since 1977. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, 2020, Fedcap crews began working 24/7 at GSA Federal Buildings in Newark and Paterson, NJ, to protect tenants and the public from the virus.

Whenever a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case is reported in any of the buildings, teams don Tyvek suits and perform “hot” deep cleaning with CDC-approved coronavirus-killing disinfectants, following the virus’ path from building entry to exit. Crew members perform augmented cleaning services at GSA properties multiple times each day, ensuring that all touchpoints are disinfected, including elevators, doors, restrooms, and fire escape handrails, as well as thoroughly disinfecting entire work areas.

Fedcap workers handle a variety of cleaning services for our GSA customers, including carpet sanitizing, shampooing and vacuuming, daily bathroom cleanings, and restocking of paper products. All Fedcap staff members are properly trained and outted for handling our daily contract obligations at all of our GSA facilities, including employee uniforms, PPE, cleaning supplies and equipment, and more.

“I am extremely grateful and proud of the incredible work, collaboration, teaming history, and corporate partnership Fedcap and GSA has in place, especially given the many challenges we continue to face during the COVID-19 pandemic,”said Steve Coons, President of Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Inc. “Because of GSA’s committed leadership, strong communication efforts, and mission focus, Fedcap is able to support GSA in all areas related to COVID disinfecting responses, and other tenant support services that are critical in keeping the GSA managed facilities operationally ready, clean, safe, and open for business at all times.” 

Fedcap also handles snow removal operations at the four GSA sites in New Jersey locations. This work includes ensuring that GSA building steps, sidewalks, garage ramps, security barricades, open plazas, outdoor parking lots and access streets remain clear of ice & snow. The Fedcap team is equipped with ice melt materials,ice melt spreading equipment, snow shovels, motorized power brooms, snow plowing tractors, snow plow trucks equipped with ice melt spreaders, and even small size front-end loaders for snow removal operations.

When some of the biggest snowstorms in years hit the region, Fedcap crews were always ready to jump into action—no matter the time of day or amount of snow.“There have been times when the crew has worked 12-16 hours straight to ensure that safe conditions are in place for the public,GSA employees, GSA customers and anyone else coming and going from GSA facilities,”said Jon Cray, Contract Project Manager, Fedcap Building Services. 

In addition to four sites in New Jersey— three in Newark and one in Paterson— Fedcap serves nine GSA sites in Manhattan and three sites in Brooklyn, totaling over 7.6 million square feet.

Download a PDF of this article here. 

 

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Fedcap Rehabilitation Gets Big Thanks!

Fedcap Rehabilitation Gets Big Thanks!

Fedcap Rehabilitation Total Facilities Management crews working at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan got a big surprise recently—a Fedcap Appreciation banner! The banner, hung in a restricted lobby for FBI personnel, thanked the crews for their hard work and diligence.

”During the pandemic time when concerns for health have been heightened to new levels, the Fedcap team members have performed superbly to calm the concerns of tenants at 26 Federal Plaza,” said Kevin Shaw, Fedcap Assistant Building Manager.

Throughout the pandemic Fedcap Rehab’s TFM enterprise has experienced unprecedented demand for its cleaning and disinfecting services. Equipped with the tools and personal protective equipment to uphold the safety of staff and all those who use the buildings where they operate, Fedcap TFM crews have been working 24/7 to meet the needs of city, state and federal partners.

 

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On Wednesday October 16th we hosted our biannual Solution Series — Organizational Structure: A Tool to Advance Innovation and Business Bottom Line—at Mutual of American in Manhattan.

A packed house of new and longtime supporters and friends of The Fedcap Group heard a dynamic panel of experts lead a compelling discussion about organizational structure. Hundreds more participated via livestream! The panel included –
Michael Sicard, Chairman and CEO, USI Insurance Services
Dianne Morales, Executive Director and CEO, Phipps Neighborhoods
Mario Desideiro, Enterprise Solutions and Analytics Practice Leader, Managing Director, Huron Consulting Group
Takeaways from the discussion were that structure should be designed to unlock teamwork and creativity; that structure must enable employees to always challenge themselves and have a vested interest in outcomes, and that structure must be flexible enough to allow for the ongoing infusion of new talent. The panel emphasized how strategy drives structure, that the design and building of structure must be intentional, and that while no single structure works for every organization, transparency and cross-functional teamwork are often hallmarks of successful structure.

Thanks to Mutual of America for hosting this event. Stay tuned for information about our spring Solution Series!

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Article 2

Article 2

On Wednesday October 16th we hosted our biannual Solution Series — Organizational Structure: A Tool to Advance Innovation and Business Bottom Line—at Mutual of American in Manhattan.

A packed house of new and longtime supporters and friends of The Fedcap Group heard a dynamic panel of experts lead a compelling discussion about organizational structure. Hundreds more participated via livestream! The panel included – Michael Sicard, Chairman and CEO, USI Insurance Services Dianne Morales, Executive Director and CEO, Phipps Neighborhoods Mario Desideiro, Enterprise Solutions and Analytics Practice Leader, Managing Director, Huron Consulting Group Takeaways from the discussion were that structure should be designed to unlock teamwork and creativity; that structure must enable employees to always challenge themselves and have a vested interest in outcomes, and that structure must be flexible enough to allow for the ongoing infusion of new talent. The panel emphasized how strategy drives structure, that the design and building of structure must be intentional, and that while no single structure works for every organization, transparency and cross-functional teamwork are often hallmarks of successful structure.

Thanks to Mutual of America for hosting this event. Stay tuned for information about our spring Solution Series!

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Article 1

Article 1

On Wednesday October 16th we hosted our biannual Solution Series — Organizational Structure: A Tool to Advance Innovation and Business Bottom Line—at Mutual of American in Manhattan.

A packed house of new and longtime supporters and friends of The Fedcap Group heard a dynamic panel of experts lead a compelling discussion about organizational structure. Hundreds more participated via livestream! The panel included – Michael Sicard, Chairman and CEO, USI Insurance Services Dianne Morales, Executive Director and CEO, Phipps Neighborhoods Mario Desideiro, Enterprise Solutions and Analytics Practice Leader, Managing Director, Huron Consulting Group Takeaways from the discussion were that structure should be designed to unlock teamwork and creativity; that structure must enable employees to always challenge themselves and have a vested interest in outcomes, and that structure must be flexible enough to allow for the ongoing infusion of new talent. The panel emphasized how strategy drives structure, that the design and building of structure must be intentional, and that while no single structure works for every organization, transparency and cross-functional teamwork are often hallmarks of successful structure.

Thanks to Mutual of America for hosting this event. Stay tuned for information about our spring Solution Series!

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