March was National Social Work Month and, in recognition, the Family Partnerships Department hosted a ceremony for all of NYCHA’s social workers and social service coordinators on March 28 in the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room. This year’s national theme – Elevate Social Work – provided an opportunity to highlight the vital role social workers play in the community, empowering people with the ability to overcome issues and get the resources they need to succeed.
Staff participated in team-building activities and received certificates of appreciation for their contributions and dedication to their mission. Reverend Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, an elder at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, delivered a rousing keynote address, telling staff that they are changemakers, capable of elevating the NYCHA residents we serve.
Staff paint while sipping on homemade non-alcoholic sangria (courtesy of Social Work Supervisor Rodney Gwyn) as part of a wellness activity.
Staff paint while sipping on homemade non-alcoholic sangria (courtesy of Social Work Supervisor Rodney Gwyn) as part of a wellness activity.
Staff paint while sipping on homemade non-alcoholic sangria (courtesy of Social Work Supervisor Rodney Gwyn) as part of a wellness activity.
Staff paint while sipping on homemade non-alcoholic sangria (courtesy of Social Work Supervisor Rodney Gwyn) as part of a wellness activity.
Bronx Social Services Administrator Marilyn Goulbourne, Queens/Staten Island Administrator Modestine Rogers, Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith, Social Work Supervisor Rodney Gwyn, Brooklyn Borough Administrator Lauren Antoine, and Manhattan Social Services Administrator Marina Oteiza (from left to right).
Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Queens/Staten Island Administrator Modestine Rogers, and Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith (from left to right).
Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson (left) and Computer Systems Manager Yehuda Gelbfish (IT Dept.).
Brooklyn Borough Administrator Lauren Antoine (left) and Social Services Coordinator Alejandro LaTorre.
Community Coordinator Eduardo Dos Santos (Resident Engagement Dept.), Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Chief of Emergency Transfer Daisy Lopez (Applications & Tenancy Administration Dept.), Community Coordinator Argentina Melo (Resident Engagement Dept.), Social Work Supervisor Rodney Gwyn, and Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith (from left to right).
The Brooklyn Family Partnerships Department team (from left to right): Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Social Services Coordinator Alejandro LaTorre, Social Services Coordinator Johnson Ebitou, Social Work Supervisor Eneida Rios, Brooklyn Borough Administrator Lauren Antoine, Social Worker Jesus Lebron, Social Worker Brenda Stokely, Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith, and Social Work Supervisor Pascale Victor.
The Queens/Staten Island Family Partnerships Department team (from left to right): Queens/Staten Island Administrator Modestine Rogers, Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Social Work Supervisor Suzanne Setari, Social Worker Karen Young, and Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith.
The Manhattan Family Partnerships Department team (from left to right): Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Community Coordinator Eduardo Dos Santos (Resident Engagement Dept.), Social Work Supervisor Horace Miller, Social Worker Ryna Escano, Social Worker Ruth Freeman, Social Worker Sandra Bradley, Manhattan Social Services Administrator Marina Oteiza, and Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith.
The Bronx Family Partnerships Department team (from left to right): Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Social Services Coordinator Helene Texeira, Social Work Supervisor Rolando Rosado, Bronx Social Services Administrator Marilyn Goulbourne, Social Worker Noemi Ocasio, and Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith.
Family Partnerships Department Deputy Director Karen Patterson, Chief of the Family Re-Entry Program Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin, Keynote Speaker Reverend Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, and Family Partnerships Department Senior Director Ukah Busgith (from left to right).