Dr. Shirlee Taylor
Executive Director of The FAR Fund
The FAR Fund supports “innovative non-profits that contribute to the social and emotional well-being of the communities they serve,” according to Dr. Taylor, who adds that the Fund places an emphasis on autism-related programs.
But when Dr. Taylor first joined The FAR Fund 18 years ago, she says she was not as well-versed in autism-related issues as she is now.
“I’ve since learned so much over the years and know the direct result of unemployment rates have on the lives of individuals with autism and their families,” she says. “The work that Job Path is doing is truly making a difference – this is an incredible organization. You are always coming up with new, interesting ideas, and we can be very nimble and responsive, and that’s what draws me to this work.”
In recent years, The FAR Fund has supported a number of groundbreaking initiatives to help people with autism flourish in their careers. Project Next Step helped participants develop a career growth plan and then move into jobs offering higher pay, more hours, and/or a better fit with their career aspirations. Most recently, FAR’s support of Building Knowledge; Building Partners is helping Job Path to break into new industries to develop a broader range of employer partners who want to capitalize on the advantages of a diverse workforce.
“What’s amazing is how Shirlee and The FAR Fund have such a deep understanding and appreciation of this work and how receptive they are to trying new strategies,” says Carly Teichman, Job Path CEO.
Dr. Taylor is a clinical psychologist and a candidate in the Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis at New York University. Prior to earning her doctorate, she worked for 25 years in the financial sector and with various non-profit organizations, including writing and managing a large California grant that addressed mental health challenges for youth re-entering the community from juvenile detention.
She says that the hardest part of her job is saying no to grant seekers but that she loves seeing organizations like Job Path grow and thrive.
“The integrity of the people involved is so compelling,” she says. “The opportunity to really do some important work and make a difference in the world makes me feel so fortunate. I have such an incredible job, and I love what I do.”
The Baptiste Family
Nathaniel, Carol, and Christian
Christian and Nathaniel Baptiste came to Job Path almost 10 years ago after graduating from high school. Since 2019, Christian has worked at The Brooklyn Children’s Museum, providing guest services for parents and children and organizing and maintaining exhibits.
“I feel great, positive, and confident I can do anything,” he says. “I feel proud when I can help people. I may have autism, but it doesn’t stop me from reaching my goals.”
Nathaniel has provided the Brooklyn Autism Center with top-notch office and clerical work since 2021. He says it’s important to him to be an active member of the community, saying: “I can help make things different; I can change peoples minds about people with autism.”
Their mother Carol says she has always encouraged their independence and determination and counsels other parents on the importance of “embracing their child’s autism.”
“It can be a scary thing, but they have to go out and experience the world,” she says.
Not long ago Christian and Nathaniel worked with Open Futures Learning, which provides education and training videos for disability support workers. Founder Ben Drew says both brothers exude patience, kindness, a quiet confidence, and ambition.
“In my mind, they had already achieved so much by being part of the workforce. I assumed that was “enough”—that they had reached the limits of what society often expects of individuals with developmental disabilities – of what I expected,” he says. “But they quickly proved me wrong. They wanted more. They had clear goals for their future—more education, more career growth—and I have no doubt they will achieve them.”
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Employer of the Year 2025
At the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, President and CEO Atiba Edwards says working with Job Path to employ Christian and another JP participant is not simply a feel good story; the hires have contributed to the museum’s commitment to excellence.
“If we can open the doors so everyone is seen in this space, then the world is a better place,” he says. “That sounds like a fluffy statement, but when we get more diversity into the building, we’re better prepared to provide high quality service for all of our visitors. From a business standpoint, we want our staff to reflect all the people who walk through our doors.”
Edwards says the museum is always looking for ways to be more welcoming to neurodivergent staff and visitors, much in the same way they seek to be a home for guests through cultural celebrations.
Recently they started offering “sensory backpacks” for guests with noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and other devices that help many neurodivergent people navigate loud, crowded places.
“We are always looking for ways to be responsive,” he says.
From BCM: Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures.
Christian and Atiba appear in a viral Open Future Learning Video on Instagram where they talk about Christian’s interaction with a museum guest whose son was autistic.