Amelia Musser
Mentor / Employment Specialist
EDUCATION
Amelia graduated from Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Services in 2023. Amelia brings a fresh approach to the world of mental health and Autism services. She is currently studying to sit for her licensing exam before the end of this year.
BACKGROUND
As a graduate student, Amelia completed her field work in the New York City public school system. Her passion for helping kids with learning differences feel comfortable at school has naturally progressed into helping young adults feel at home in the workplace. Amelia’s experience with Autism is both personal and professional. In the summers, Amelia combines her passion for yoga with her passion for helping others and teaches at the 92Y summer camp for kids on the Autism spectrum. In her personal time, Amelia enjoys reading mystery novels and spending time with her siblings.
FRAMEWORK
As a practitioner, Amelia is interested in the connection between mind and body, the LGBTQIA+ community, and group therapies. She practices within an anti-racist, restorative justice-based framework, and is a TF-CBT certificate holder.
Grace Russell
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Grace graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University with a dual degree in Psychology and Child Studies & Human Development. During her time at Tufts, she participated in an on campus Acapella group, did research for the child studies department and was the club lacrosse captain. In her free time, she loves reading, doing ceramics, playing guitar, swimming in the ocean and playing with her puppy.
In 2022, Grace had the opportunity to work with individuals with Autism through in-home behavioral therapy and grew her passion for mentoring neurodivergent youth. Currently, Grace works for a nonprofit organization in MA that mentors underprivileged, inner-city youth.
Grace has been accepted into the Masters program for Speech Language Pathology at NYU that begins in September 2024.
Grace is excited to help individuals find their passions and direct them toward work that feels meaningful and fun! She prides herself in: patience, approachability, and a gentle demeanor. She excited to form meaningful relationships with her clients.
Samantha Patten
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Samantha graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Rights. During her time at Berkeley, she did research at the University’s Law School, worked as a Resident Assistant for the Empowering Women in STEAM Theme Program, and managed an art and design club. In her free time, Samantha loves creating artwork, attending pilates classes, and spending time with her family.
Samantha has worked as a behavioral technician, providing in-home behavioral therapy to children on the Autism spectrum. This experience has grown her passion for supporting Neurodivergent individuals professionally and has allowed her to show up as a more productive ally for her friends on the Autism spectrum. Additionally, she volunteers as a camp counselor for Firefighter Kids Camp, supporting young burn survivors in a camp environment that encourages healing, personal growth, and character development.
Samantha is attending UCLA’s Master in Social Welfare Program and will be graduating in the Spring of 2025. As part of her fieldwork, Samantha works as an Intern with St. Joseph’s Center, providing mental health support at the Homeless Service Center.
Samantha is excited to support individuals as they seek out their passions and purpose. She prides herself in being an active listener and an advocate. She is excited to help her clients reach above and beyond to achieve their aspirations.
Kelsey DeRaffele, MSW
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Kelsey graduated from Gettysburg College with a BA in Sociology and obtained her Masters in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University.
Kelsey is an experienced relationship builder, committed to social impact, disability advocacy, mental health awareness and caregiver support, with a passion for positively impacting others’ lives.
Kelsey has built numerous programs for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, one being Rising Stars Running, which was a therapeutic running and social program.
With over 15 years of experience working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Kelsey is particularly passionate about celebrating differences. She is dedicated to providing innovative services for the disability community and supporting them in finding fulfilling and meaningful employment. Additionally, she is experienced when it comes to educating leaders and teams on disability, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace.
Kelsey has a certification in diversity, inclusion and belonging as well as motivational interviewing and TF-CBT.
Tyler Gold
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Tyler graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television and Film with a concentration in Production and a minor in Human Resource Management.
She has worked on multiple film and television sets and will be continuing her career in the entertainment industry – especially helping clients enter the field.
Tyler also works as a substitute teacher, primarily in a 18 – 21 year old self-contained program at a local high school.
Her passion for her work in the high school inspired her to expand her horizons and embark on a new chapter at ClearWeave Careers, where she can continue making a difference by supporting and working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Tyler warmly welcomes new clients and is eager to share her knowledge and experience. She is dedicated to empowering individuals from all walks of life towards a prosperous and fulfilling journey in the workforce.
Nick Petrarca
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Nick graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
He has worked at ClearWeave Careers as a mentor for the Oxford School system in Autism support and has a client-focused approach to his work.
He has worked to develop social skills and integration into the community.
Nick is currently accepting new clients who he can help with actualizing their potential and leading more self-directed lives.
Nick’s special skills / hobbies include: musical abilities (singing and playing instruments), excellent listening and communication skills, and patience. Nick is currently taking a video editing class to help clients learn that skill.
Margaret Hess
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Margaret graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Biological Sciences.
She is preparing to apply to graduate schools - seeking a Master’s degree in Psychology. Margaret has worked as a legal assistant at a law firm and now works in the fitness / wellness space both as an instructor and as the studio coordinator.
Margaret is accepting new clients and wants everyone she mentors to hone into their skills and interests to feel successful and excited about job opportunities that align with their most authentic self.
Margaret is excited to share her professional and social skills with clients to assist them in achieving their professional and personal goals.
Michael Sobolewski, M.Ed.
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Michael Sobolewski earned his M.A. in Education from C.C.S.U. He has worked with clients at the Chippens Hill Group (dba ClearWeave Careers) on both vocational and social skill development.
Outside of his work with the Chippens Hill Group, Michael works as a high school Social Studies teacher in Berlin, Connecticut, where he was recognized as Teacher of the Month in January 2020. Michael's favorite part of his job with the Chippens Hill Group is helping clients realize their full potential, and chase goals that previously felt unobtainable.
Paige Schwartz
Mentor / Employment Specialist
Paige Schwartz graduated Cum Laude, from the University of Connecticut in 2018 with her degree in Psychology. She went on to join the graduate fellowship program at UConn Health, Connecticut Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (CT LEND).
She is currently in the accelerated nursing program at Sacred Heart University with plans to graduate in spring 2021. She proudly serves as Vice President of the Student Nursing Association and will continue her education to become an APRN.
Paige has dedicated herself to helping people, not only as a student nurse at Gaylord Hospital, but also as a mentor with the Chippens Hill Group (dba ClearWeave Careers).
Ryan Patrick Casey, M.A.
Executive Director
Ryan has procured over 50 jobs and volunteer opportunities for Neurodivergent individuals across the United States.
He has appeared on PBS and featured in Forbes. These showcased his innovative Neurodivergent employment techniques.
Ryan has established business relationships with a growing list of companies across the United States. This list is shared with all of the mentors at ClearWeave to help find employment for people on the Autism Spectrum.
Ryan has been in the Autism support field since 2008. He has done direct care in life skills and community mentoring for high-functioning individuals on the Spectrum and psychological disorders such as depression, ADHD, and anxiety.
He has also worked as a mentor for the Middlesex YMCA. Prior to founding The Chippens Hill Group, he was a mentor at Key Human Services in CT.
Ryan has his Masters in Communication from the University of Hartford. He has completed the CT DDS Autism Training (2015). And he / Chippens Hill Group is an approved vendor for the State of CT DSS Autism Support Waiver program.
Ryan also has been certified by the CT DSS in: Advancing Ability: Teaching Independent Living Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In his spare time – Ryan enjoys writing and editing videos / films (fiction).