In honor of “NYC Nonprofit Week,” Mayor Eric Adams and the Mayor’s Workplace of Nonprofit Companies (MONS) hosted town’s first-ever “Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards” (EHSDAs) at Gracie Mansion on Aug. 19, celebrating the vital function nonprofits and their authorities companions play in serving New York Metropolis’s most weak residents.
Eight nonprofit organizations and public servants have been acknowledged for his or her dedication to strengthening town’s social security web, from housing, authorized providers, and well being care to youth packages.
Ana J. Almanzar, deputy mayor for strategic initiatives, informed New York News Metro {that a} ceremony honoring the achievements of nonprofits and their companions at metropolis companies was lengthy overdue.
“It’s a demonstration of the Adams administration’s commitment to the nonprofits and to our colleagues throughout the city government and agencies who dedicate their lives to serve New Yorkers on the nonprofit side,” Almanzar mentioned. “Every time we have an emergency, the nonprofits are there, working with us shoulder to shoulder, just to deliver for New Yorkers.”
The Mayor’s Workplace hosted the primary Excellence in Human Service Supply Awards at Gracie Mansion on Aug. 19.Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
Michael Sedillo, govt director of MONS, mentioned the awards celebrated the partnership between metropolis companies and nonprofits that construct and preserve town’s social security web.
“A lot of these stories are often overlooked or unheralded, and so part of the work that we do at the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services is to try to change the culture across city agencies and make it one of customer service in partnership with our nonprofit providers,” Sedillo informed New York News Metro.
Sedillo additionally acknowledged the uncertainty nonprofits face amid former President Donald Trump’s assaults on federal funding for charitable organizations. He famous that in April, Adams took an unprecedented step by allocating greater than $5 billion — or 50% — upfront funds to city-contracted nonprofits for Fiscal Yr 2026. Usually, nonprofits obtain 25% of their funding firstly of the fiscal yr.
“The mayor said that for many of our providers, they’re going to get 50%. It’s a trying time; there’s uncertainty out there. So the mayor thought that this was the right thing to do to meet the moment and help our providers have cash flow at the start of the fiscal year,” Sedillo mentioned.
First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro speaks on the inaugural Excellence in Human Service Supply Awards at Gracie Mansion on Aug. 19.Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
The award course of drew greater than 100 nominations, with metropolis company staff nominating nonprofit suppliers with lively contracts and nonprofits nominating metropolis workers who assist them. A range committee of nonprofit leaders and metropolis staff reviewed purposes, interviewed finalists, and made the ultimate choices.
4 nonprofit organizations have been honored for his or her affect throughout the 5 boroughs:
The Elder Regulation Unit at Brooklyn Authorized Companies, awarded for “Excellence in Customer Service”
Mount Sinai REACH Program, acknowledged for “Action and Innovation”
Heart for Household Life in Sundown Park, Inc., awarded for “Operational Excellence”
REM Heart, Inc., acknowledged as “Emerging Nonprofit”
Daniel Barkley, director of the Elder Regulation Unit, mentioned it was significant to see his group, which serves lower-income residents over 60 in Brooklyn and Manhattan, acknowledged.
“To be honored in this way, to be nominated by New York City Aging, who is our primary funder, just felt like a real honor,” Barkley mentioned. “And the people who we work with and serve are being recognized indirectly through us.”
Krystal Astwood, founder and govt director of REM Heart, Inc., mentioned the distinction was a shock. Her Bronx-based group, based in 2021, focuses on responding to neighborhood and household wants.
“A lot of the work that we do comes from what families, parents, [and] community members say that they need,” Astwood mentioned. “So this is really [for] them. It’s great to see them be acknowledged and be seen for the work that they’re doing in the community.”
Markida Murrell-Owens approaches the rostrum to simply accept the Excellence in Buyer Service award.Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
Two metropolis staff and one company additionally obtained awards:
Markida Murrell-Owens, contract specialist II on the Division of Youth and Group Growth, “Excellence in Customer Service”
Shakina Shaw, Equal Employment Alternative Counselor and COMPASS Director on the Division of Youth and Group Growth, “Action and Innovation”
Administration for Kids’s Companies, “Operational Excellence”
Murrell-Owens, who has served 27 years, mentioned it was a “blessing” to be acknowledged. She works carefully with nonprofits to information them by means of the contract registration course of.
“I do my best to make sure that they get money, because if they don’t, all these programs wouldn’t be happening,” she mentioned. “It feels great to know that what you do is helping a lot of people. You’re contributing to less violence, more education, happier kids [and] happier households. It feels good to contribute to that.”
Shaw mentioned the popularity highlighted the worth of metropolis staff’ contributions.
“I think for me, someone seeing all the work that all of us do as city workers is really pivotal,” Shaw mentioned, describing her work as an funding in households.
Deputy Mayor Ana J. Almanzar (left) poses with Dr. Rosa M. Gil, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award on the inaugural Excellence in Human Service Supply Awards.Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr. Rosa Gil, founder and CEO of Comunilife, Inc., for her decades-long dedication to bettering town’s nonprofit sector. Underneath Gil’s management, Comunilife created 3,000 housing models for folks residing with HIV and psychological sickness.
“Today is a recognition, not only of my work, but basically what we nonprofits do in the city of New York, which is save lives, to make sure children and youth develop and they go to school, and who knows, maybe one day they will be the Mayor of the City of New York,” Gil mentioned. “We, in the nonprofit world, what we do is just to enable individuals to have a good life and then to contribute to the city of New York, which is what we are all about.”
First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro delivered remarks on behalf of Adams.
“It’s because of that unique partnership between the government and the not-for-profit world that New York City is unlike any other city in the world. This administration, this mayor, is so proud to have been a part of seeing so many fundamental changes for the better,” Mastro mentioned.
Dr. Jeffrey Weiss (proper) accepts the award on behalf of the Mount Sinai REACH Program.Picture by Gabriele Holtermann 
Krystal Astwood (third from proper), founding father of the Reggio Emilia Montessori Heart, was among the many honorees.Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
In a press release, Adams praised the nonprofit sector for standing alongside his administration to “continue to build a stronger, fairer, and more caring New York City together.”
“This first-ever Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards is about more than recognition — it’s about honoring the people who make New York City work for everyone,” Adams mentioned. “We’re celebrating our incredible nonprofit organizations that have delivered critical services across the five boroughs, as well as our tireless public servants, who have solved problems, cut red tape, and made sure help gets where it’s needed most. With their innovation, compassion, and commitment to continuously get stuff done, these honorees represent the very best of our city.”
