Verona Octogenarian Mentors Teens With Autism, Inspires Community – Verona, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — For octogenarian Beverly Ficon, being a mentor is second-nature.

Ficon, a Verona resident with six grandchildren, taught for almost two decades, eventually rising to become former president of Katharine Gibbs College in Montclair. Now, after serving as a job coach for children with autism at Millburn High School and a volunteer for the Children’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Council of Essex County, Ficon has found a new calling.

As part of her latest adventure into mentorship, Ficon is putting her skills to work for Secaucus-based nonprofit Spectrum Works, which helps young adults with autism to develop fulfilling careers. Since joining the nonprofit as a program manager and job coach in 2016, Ficon has worked with nearly 100 students aged 16 to 21, helping them to realize their own potential as members of the workforce.

Those she’s given a boost include Andrew Berra, 29 of Verona, the grandson of baseball legend, Yogi Berra, who works as a mentor himself at Green Distribution in Secaucus.

Another of Ficon’s students, Dennis Taylor, 26, is now a consultant for a PBS on a new animated series due to launch in early 2020.

Her recent efforts with autism-related job coaching are just one of many contributions Ficon has made to New Jersey. Over the years, she’s been a teacher at Eastside High School in Paterson, worked with foster children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mental Health Clinic of Passaic, and volunteered at the Canterbury Rehabilitation Center where she assists older adults with their daily activities.

“To say that Beverly is special would be an understatement,” said Ann Marie Sullivan, CEO and founder of Spectrum Works. “I have never met a more caring, hardworking person.”

Sullivan praised Ficon’s bottomless work ethic, noting that she works nights and weekends but refuses to be compensated for her time.

“Beverly has become much more than an employee, she is my friend, my support, and the light that guides me every day,” Sullivan said. “I hope someday to make her as proud of me as I am of her.”

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