Employee Spotlight: Jamila Grampus-Astwood
During the month of March, we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This week, we shine the spotlight on Jamila Grampus-Astwood, Coordinator, Vocational and Placement Services in Community Employment Services. According to Stacey Kantrowitz, Director of CES, “Jamila exemplifies the qualities of a natural and dedicated servant leader, consistently positioning herself to support and elevate members of our team to their full potential.”
“Together, we must strive to make the world around us a better place, one step at a time.”
Jamila Grampus-Astwood
Jamila, thank you for the opportunity to have our Jawonio Community get to know you better. Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself, where you grew up, share some of your background and current family updates.
Thank you for this opportunity as well. I grew up in the Bronx, my father and mother were both Pastors at the Agape —— I have 3 siblings. My older brother, Alphonso is an auto mechanic, my younger brother Jonathan is an MTA conductor; and my younger sister Zoe owns her own pastry business.
How did you and your husband meet?
We met when I was about 11, and he a year older than me, so he was 12 and we met at church. He always says that he saw me, but I didn’t see him.
Well, it sounds like he knew you were the one at a very early age. Is that right?
Yes, but it wasn’t until 2017 when we met again at church. We started dating during the pandemic and we dated over zoom. The first conversation we had last 8 hours, and the rest is history!! And in June, we are expecting our first child.
Amazing. Congratulations! That is so exciting for you, your husband and your family this summer!! Let’s switch gears for a second. Tell us about some of your goals and dreams?
Well, when I was younger, I had thought about becoming a teacher and then I wanted to be a nurse, then a doctor.
Were there people in your life who were teachers, nurses and doctors that were role models?
Yes. My dad is a teacher by profession and my mom was a registered nurse. They are both retired now. A good amount of my family on both sides are teachers and nurses. My parents are also the founders of Agape Love Christian Church in the Bronx. They did this while still working full-time in their professions. Agape is the Greek word for “unconditional love” and my siblings and I certainly felt that at home and church.
On this page, Stacey Kantrowitz, your colleague and Director of Community Employment Services, spoke to the fact that you exemplify the qualities of a natural and dedicated servant leader. Tell us how your early experiences have made you a leader, and specifically a servant leader.
I think the best way for our Jawonio community, and others to know what informed me as a servant leader was my parents and church. I saw my parents taking in people in trouble, including our friends. I also saw them feeding and caring for people who were homeless. I have always been a witness to my parents and our strong faith. Service to others whether it is through church or the community has always been my passion.
Now that we have gotten to know you, and thank you for sharing your family life, childhood into adulthood with us. Now, we turn to your Jawonio Journey. Please share your path with us as Coordinator of Vocational and Placement Services and ----- as part of Jawonio Community Employment Services?
Throughout my 10-year career here at Jawonio, I have primarily focused on our employment (SEMP) and our Employment Training Program (ETP). My role allows me to expand my own leadership skills and expertise into a person-centered service delivery model which I am proud to say has been recognized by OPWDD (The NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities)a as a potential blueprint for replication statewide.
Those roles in changing people’s lives through learning, skill building and work – are so rewarding! You also have tremendous expertise in another specialty area, tell us about that?
Yes, I am the Pragmatic Language Communication Coaching Support Specialist for Jawonio. This part of my job is also incredibly rewarding. I work with individuals with autism in supporting them to develop crucial social skills. I am truly inspired by who they are and working to inspire them to reach their highest potential. Thanks to our 2022 Jawonio Autism Resource and Training Center (ARTC) initiative, my presentation on Pragmatic Language Communication continues to be a teaching tool on our Jawonio YOUTUBE channel. I look forward to the relaunch of our ARTC this year.
So now, let's switch gears one more time to your selection into the Non-Profit Westchester Emerging Leaders Program – Congratulations!! Tell us why you wanted to be part of this community program?
My interest in the NPW Emerging Leaders Program is rooted in my desire to learn and grow as an individual and a leader. I believe the program will provide me with an amazing opportunity to connect with others who are on a similar path.
What does leadership mean to you?
For me, leadership is a multifaceted team endeavor that requires attention to learning, adjusting, and emerging into a strong leader. I make sure I listen and understand to my own team members to make sure they are heard and empowered to share their own goals and vision with me.
While building your knowledge through this Emerging Leaders program, what are you most excited about?
I am eager to seek out others who are not afraid of change in service to others, our communities, and the world. I am looking forward to using my strengths and empowering others to do the same. Even more so, I believe working closely with other emerging leaders, together, we must strive to make the world around us a better place, one step at a time.
Jamila is a true leader for mission-driven staff member of Jawonio and our Community Employment Services Team at Jawonio. We know that Jawonio will continue to succeed with passion and commitment at Jawonio and throughout the greater community. We look forward to following Jamila’s impact on our participants at Jawonio as well as her passion for change in the greater community.
DH: Jamila, thank you for the opportunity to have our Jawonio Community get to know you better. Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself, where you grew up, share some of your background and current family updates.
JGA: Thank you, as well, for this opportunity. I grew up in the Bronx. My father and mother have been happily married for 35 years. I have 3 siblings and a very big close-knit extended family. I got married during the pandemic, and my husband and I are expecting our first child in June.
DH: Congratulations! And switching gears for a moment, back in the day, you were considering careers as a teacher, nurse and doctor. Did you have people in your life who were role models in those professions?
JGA: Yes. My dad is a teacher by profession and my mom was a registered nurse. They are both retired now. We have a plethora of teachers and nurses in our family. My parents are also the founders and pastors of Agape Love Christian Center in the Bronx. They pastored while still working full-time in their professions. Agape is the Greek word for “unconditional love” and my siblings, and I, certainly felt that at home and at church.
DH: Let's move on to the importance of leadership. How did your early experiences inform you to become a servant leader?
JGA: I think the best way for our Jawonio community, and others, to know what informed me as a servant leader is through what I saw at home with my parents and in church. I saw my parents taking in people in need, including our friends. I also saw them feeding and caring for people who were homeless. I have always seen my parents serve and exemplify our strong faith. Service to others whether it is through ministry, or the community has always been my passion.
DH: Now, we turn to your Jawonio career. Tell us about your current responsibilities and career path as part of the Community Employment Services Team?
JGA: Throughout my 10-year career here at Jawonio, I have primarily focused on our employment (SEMP) and our Employment Training Program (ETP). My role allows me to expand my own leadership skills and expertise into a person-centered service delivery model which I am proud to say has been recognized by OPWDD (The NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities)a as a potential blueprint for replication statewide.
DH: Those roles in changing people’s lives through learning, skill building and work – are so rewarding! You also have tremendous expertise in another specialty area, tell us about that?
JGA: Yes, I am the Pragmatic Language Communication Coaching Support Specialist for Jawonio. This part of my job is also incredibly rewarding. I work with individuals with autism in supporting them to develop crucial social skills. I am truly inspired by who they are and working to inspire them to reach their highest potential. Thanks to our 2022 Jawonio Autism Resource and Training Center (ARTC) initiative, my presentation on Pragmatic Language Communication continues to be a teaching tool on our Jawonio YOUTUBE channel. I look forward to the relaunch of our ARTC this year.
DH: Another opportunity to learn has come through your selection into the Non-Profit Westchester Emerging Leaders. Tell us why you wanted to be part of this community program?
JGA: My interest in the NPW Emerging Leaders Program is rooted in my desire to learn and grow as an individual and a leader. I believe the program will provide me with an amazing opportunity to connect with others who are on a similar path.
DH: What does leadership mean to you?
JGA: For me, leadership is a multifaceted team endeavor that requires attention to learning, adjusting, and emerging into a strong leader. I prioritize creating a safe space where I listen and understand my team members to make sure they are heard and empowered to share their own goals and vision with me.
DH: While building your knowledge through this Emerging Leaders program, what are you most excited about?
JGA: I am eager to collaborate with others who are not afraid of creating change, serving our communities, and changing the world. I am looking forward to using my strengths and empowering others to do the same. Even more so, I believe working closely with other emerging leaders, together, we must strive to make the world around us a better place, one step at a time.
Thank you Jamila Grampus-Astwood for using your gifts & talent in service to others. As Ghandi says,
“Be the Change You Wish to See in the World”.
SO MUCH GOOD HAPPENS HERE.
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