Mr. Figueroa began wheelchair use at the age of three after being diagnosed with a disease that resulted in the amputation of both of his legs. He graduated from Martin Luther King High School in 1985, and started applying for jobs in the early 1990’s, but found out most work environments were not accessible for people who used wheelchairs.  In 1999, he joined STRIVE, a job training program  for young adults with disabilities. He was referred to GoodTemps after graduating from STRIVE a month later. GoodTemps, Goodwill’s temporary staffing agency, matches employers with qualified, motivated job seekers in the five boroughs of New York City, Northern New Jersey, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

GoodTemps, which  places over 2,000 people with disabilities in jobs each year, referred him to the City’s Department of Education. With hard work, dedication, and a strong work ethic, Mr. Figueroa progressed to positions with more responsibilities and tasks. After working at the Office of Pupil Transportation for eight years, he was transferred to the Department of School Foods. 

“GoodTemps and NYSID changed Mr. Figueroa’s life for the better by giving him a “hand-up” without   looking at his past,” notes David Schoch, GoodTemps Senior Vice President. “He proved us all right by becoming one of, if not the best customer service representative in his department.”    

The Special Events Department, where Mr. Figueroa currently works, is directly responsible for all catering events throughout the city. His assignments include answering phone calls, assisting customers to place orders, filing permits to open school faculties, organizing files, making arrangements for pickup and delivery of meals, and filling complaints.

 “I have been exposed to a fast paced environment and I am enjoying the new challenges I face on a day-to-day basis,” says Mr. Figueroa, who has been inspired to take the civil service exam to expand his career.