Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Nydia Negron (212) 788-9364
"The Community Development Agency Outstanding Service Award provides all of us with an opportunity to reflect on the tremendous contributions volunteers and employees of community-based organizations have made to our City," said Mayor Giuliani. "It is vitally important to recognize these programs whose leadership and commitment to New York revitalize communities throughout our City and improve the lives of so many New Yorkers."
"Community-based organizations enable individuals and families to overcome the barriers of poverty and lead more productive lives," said Commissioner McGrath-McKechnie. "We are delighted to sponsor this recognition ceremony highlighting the work and accomplishments of some of the City's outstanding programs."
The twenty award recipients are: Jerry Chiapatta, Executive Director, American Italian Coalition of Organizations; Yolanda Rivera, Chairperson/CEO, Banana Kelly Community Improvement; Pearl Kaufman, Executive Director, Be'er Hagolah Institute; Rabbi Yaakov Lebovits, Executive Director, Southern Brooklyn Community Organization; Gerri Lamb, Executive Director, Castle Hill Community Center Advisory Council; Susan Wu Rathbone, Chairperson, Chinese immigrants Service, Inc.; Joanne Opustil, Executive Director, Church Avenue Merchants Block Association; Rabbi Yecheskel Pikus, Executive Director, Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush; Rabbi Shmuel Steinharter, Executive Director, Guardians of the Sick; Rabbi Moshe Weiner, Executive Director, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island; Charles Shayne, Executive Director, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center; Louis Rivera, Program Director, La Sociedad Accion Cultural Hijos Del Caribe, Inc.; Virginia LaMarr, Executive Director, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Beta Omicron "Big Sister" Educational Action & Service Center; Cathy Mickens, Executive Director, Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.; Rev. Terry Troia, Executive Director, Project Hospitality; Louis Vazquez, Executive Director, RAIN Multi-Service for Seniors; Gabrielle I. Edwards, Executive Director, St. Mary's Community Services, Inc.; Sister Margaret McDermott, Executive Director, Tolentine-Zeiser Community Life Center American; Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director, United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg, Inc.; and, Elizabeth Wurburger, Executive Director, Washington Heights Inwood Preservation & Restoration Corporation.