Yonkers Resident Fernando Santiago Supervises Preparation of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for July 4th Festivities

Fernando Santiago cleaning the American flag at Ellis Island.

YONKERS, NY -- Yonkers resident Fernando Santiago, a custodial supervisor, who is part of a two-dozen-person crew, all who have disabilities, clean Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty 364 days a year, excluding Christmas day. Mr. Santiago, under the aegis of Fedcap, a nonprofit organization that is a leader in developing training and employment programs for people with disabilities and other significant barriers, is busy sprucing up the landmark venues for the Fourth of July weekend.

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Fernando Santiago waxing terra cotta floor at Ellis Island.

Arrested at the age of 17, Mr. Santiago heard about Fedcap’s custodial training program while serving a seven year sentence in prison related to his long struggle with drug and alcohol dependency, which started when he was a teenager.  Clean since 2001, he completed Fedcap’s training program and was hired by Fedcap that year as a custodian. Mr. Santiago has since worked his way up to his present position as a custodial supervisor. Mr. Santiago takes much pride working at one of the country’s most popular landmarks and finds great satisfaction in supervising a handful of workers who are deaf, and who taught him sign language.

Mr. Santiago, who supports his wife and two children, helps to oversee more than two dozen staff members trained to clean more than just your typical bathroom. The staff works around the clock divided by day and night shifts to dust the American flag, polish and wipe down exhibits, mop and wax the floors, including the magnificent terra cotta floor at Ellis Island, clean the walls and dust the ceilings/chandeliers all while maintaining the authenticity of the exhibits.

Fedcap cleans Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty via a contract with the National Parks Services through the federal AbilityOne Program. AbilityOne helps thousands of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities find employment. The program coordinates its activities with nonprofit organizations across the country to employ these individuals and provide goods and services to the federal government at a fair price. 

Fedcap’s evaluation, training, employment, support, and advocacy programs help more than 2,000 New Yorkers overcome obstacles, rebuild their lives, and find and keep meaningful employment. With a workforce of 1,200 people at over 40 locations, Fedcap is one of the largest employers of people with disabilities and other barriers to employment in the region.

The AbilityOne Program, formerly Javits-Wagner-O’Day, helps thousands of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities find employment.  The program coordinates its activities with nonprofit organizations across the country to employ these individuals and provide goods and services to the Federal Government at a fair price.