New Call Center Offers Services to Businesses, Helps the Disabled

State Senator David Carlucci and the Rockland Independent Living Center hosted a ribbon-cutting to launch the Connections Contact Center on May 1.

The program is being run by Rockland Independent Living Center, a New City-based consumer-directed, cross-disability advocacy and service organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to exert independence, choice and control in every aspect of their life.

“Connections Contact Center represents a powerful use of state funds to benefit both Rockland veterans and those with disabilities as well as the small and midsized businesses in the County resulting in a win/win for everyone involved,” said George Hoehmann, CEO and Executive Director of RILC.

The Connections Contact Center, which is located at 777 Chestnut Ridge Road in Chestnut Ridge, is a subsidiary designed to employ veterans and those with disabilities, while providing local businesses with a valuable call center.

The vision of Connections Contact Center came from RILC’s commitment to advocating on behalf of and also empowering individuals with disabilities in the community. The organization’s goal is to offer increased access to career opportunities to close the gap that causes systemic rejection toward those who want to work while at the same time offering valuable services to the business community.

The initiative was funded by a $350,000 New York State grant that was secured by Carlucci (D – Rockland/Westchester).

“By securing funding for this exciting program, we are creating self sustaining employment and business solutions in our county,” said Carlucci. “It is important that we think outside the box towards lowering the unemployment rate for veterans and people with disabilities. I would like to congratulate the Rockland Independent Living Center, and look forward to seeing the great work they do with the Connections Contact Center.”