In his welcome to attendees of AHRC NYC’s Staff Recognition Day event, Marco Damiani, AHRC NYC’s CEO, quoted Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm saying,
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”
Few people embody this philosophy more than AHRC NYC staff members. Dozens of members of our workforce were celebrated at our 2026 Staff Recognition Day, recognizing outstanding achievements and milestone years of service in five year intervals.
“I love the work and I love the people I’ve worked with. I enjoy helping, supporting people to make their lives better,” said Eamon O’Tuama, Program Director at Betty Pender Day Services, who reflected on his 35-year career in Day Services. “My advice is to be kind, to be curious, keep learning, say yes as much as possible. Don’t worry too much–you’re in good hands.”
Not Possible Without Partners
Each milestone honoree received a gift card, and award recipients were further recognized with monetary gifts. None of these were possible without our event sponsors, including:
- Gallagher
- Patricia A. Murphy
- NYSID
- Pitta, Bishop, & Del Giorno, LLC
- Soloh Partners
Contributor Sponsors included:
AHRC NYC Board Members attending the event included Cory O. Henkel, Meri Krasner, Dr. Marie Lourdes Charles, Nancy Petrino, and Nilsa Santiago.
Honorees Reflect on Their Careers
Sandra Evangelista, Principal of Astoria Blue Feather Early Learning Center, represented employees receiving the Pomegranate Awards, a career achievement recognition named in honor of the characteristics and attributes exemplified by Aikaterini (Katerina) Chatzistyli, Director of Day Services, who passed away in 2020.
Sandra said, “Our reputation [at AHRC NYC] is fantastic because we’re innovative, we care about the basics, we support each other, and we help give people the lives that they can achieve. That only happens if you’re truly driven by excellence, when you gain energy from one another to do things that matter.”
Tasha Saffold is AHRC NYC’s Director of Finance, receiving a Service Excellence award for more than two decades of superb professionalism.
“I’d like to say to each of you, no matter your condition or title, whether you’re providing direct care support or an administrative role to work each person does at this agency is important and impactful,” Tasha said.
“I believe if you work, serve with our mission in mind, it pushes you to do better, to do more, to do your best.
Tasha Saffold
I’m grateful every day I’m afforded the opportunity to be a member of this fine organization.”
Exceeding Expectations
Christine D’Angelo Dodd, Assistant Director with Residential Services in Staten Island, received the Kathy Broderick Exceeding Expectations Award.
“I’ve spent half my I’ve spent half my life with AHRC NYC.
And I’m extremely proud to work for such a special organization,”
Christine D’Angelo Dodd
Decades of Service
Michael Weinberg, Senior Vice President of Residential Services, reflected on his 35-year career in representing employees receiving a Commitment to Mission and Values Award with a look toward the coming decades of service.
“I know the future is often uncertain, and we will always face external pressures from finances or the government, but collectively, all of us here, we’re the ones who get to write what comes next.
Michael Weinberg
We get to reimagine what comes next.”
