Recognized Social Advocates Receive Awards of Merit
In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the 3 West Club played host to the "Above & Beyond Social Services: Recognizing New York's Leaders in the Social Services Sector" awards ceremony on Tuesday. This prestigious event, associated with City & State's "Above & Beyond: Social Services" power list, honored 54 social service workers for their impactful contributions to New York's social services field.
These unsung heroes were celebrated for their tireless efforts in providing meals to families in need, helping the recently incarcerated reintegrate into communities, advocating for mental health care funding, and other vital social support activities. The ceremony was a time for these workers to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to future work.
The event was graced by keynote remarks from New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden, who shared a quote from the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm about service. New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park also delivered a powerful second keynote speech, expressing her concerns over the current turbulent times in the social services field but also calling on the honorees to find strength and comfort in each other during hard times.
Honoree Monika Estrada Guzman of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital felt inspired and empowered by the event and the work of her fellow honorees. Javier Gomez of HANAC's Legal Immigration Assistance Program also echoed these sentiments, expressing inspiration to continue working hard for others.
The event was sponsored at the gold level by Neighborhood SHOPP, at the silver level by Carey & Co, Lantern Community Services, and Services for the Underserved, and at the bronze level by The Arc Westchester, BronxWorks, BTQ Financial, Help USA, the Human Services Council, and the NYU Silver School of Social Work.
While the specific names of these 54 workers are not widely available, their significant contributions to New York's social services sector are undeniable. For the exact identities, one might need to consult the official City & State publication or contact the event organizers directly.
This ceremony was a testament to the hard work and dedication of New York's social service workers, and a reminder of the vital role they play in our communities. As Wasow Park expressed, "We must find faith in each other and in our shared calling to serve others, to do hard work together to create a more equitable system."
[1] City & State, "Above & Beyond Social Services: Recognizing New York's Leaders in the Social Services Sector" awards ceremony, 2022. [2] Various news sources, "Recognizing New York's social service heroes", 2022.
- The honorees, such as Monika Estrada Guzman and Javier Gomez, were acknowledged for their efforts in advocating for mental health care funding and providing legal immigration assistance, respectively, showing the intersection of immigration and mental-health issues in New York's social services sector.
- The work of these unsung heroes, who received recognition at the "Above & Beyond Social Services" awards ceremony, also extended to health-and-wellness initiatives, with some honorees playing pivotal roles in providing meals and reintegration support for families and the recently incarcerated.
