Children’s Services Honors ‘Unsung Heroes’ in Preventive Programs

“Do you think your staff works very hard?” asked Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Roberts in a room of Preventive Services agency program directors and supervisors. “Yes!” they exclaimed as one. To put muscle behind their conviction, Roberts asked each agency to nominate staff members who are among the “unsung heroes” in helping families deal with their very difficult challenges. Five of them received the first Commissioner’s Child Advocacy Awards given to preventive program staff on April 20 at the Children’s Center.

Honoree Liliana Ramirez of the Association to Benefit Children with Program Director Debbie Rivera

Preventive services are part of the Division of Family Support Services headed by Deputy Commissioner Roberts. These services are designed to ensure that children remain safe in the home and to prevent them from entering foster care. “It’s important that we formally acknowledge these men and women because in doing so, we acknowledge the many more standing behind them,” said Ms. Roberts.

 
Honoree Rafaela Gonzalez of Good Shepherd Services’ Family Reception Center with Program Director Lee Turner

Among those receiving a Child Advocacy Award in recognition of all the work they do for children were:

• Marlene Jean-Louis of Community Counseling Mediation—the First Step program. Ms. Jean-Louis is “always caring and always listening to her families,” noted Program Director Margaret Tropnas.
• Andres Ramirez of Kingsbridge Heights Community Center’s Parent Child Program, of whom Program Director Doug Simon said, “If I were about to be evicted, Andres would be my worker.”
• Janice Mathurs of Children’s Aid Society’s Intensive Preventive program. Ms. Mathurs was described as “good at engaging and motivating families and helping them through their ‘disconnection,’” said Program Director Bob Sloan.
• Lilian Ramirez of the Association to Benefit Children. Ms. Ramirez helped to “restore calmness to the homes” of families with whom she engages, according to Program Director Debbie Rivera.
• Rafaella Gonzalez of Good Shepherd Services’ Family Reception Center. Ms.Gonzalez has worked at GSS for 22 years and “engages everyone in the community,” said Program Director Lee Turner.

Deputy Commissioner Roberts says that the Child Advocacy Award will be given on a quarterly basis and she encouraged each agency to nominate future honorees.

More Pictures

Honoree Marlene Jean-Louis of Community Counseling Mediation’s First Step program with Program Director Margarette Tropnas.

Honoree Janice Mathura of the Children’s Aid Society’s Intensive Preventive program with Program Director Bob Sloan.

Honoree Andres Ramirez of the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center’s Parent Child program with Assistant Program Director Doug Simon.