Garfield Richards Connects New York

If you walk through Brooklyn or Queens, you might run into Garfield Richards doing what he does best: just being there for people. As a member of the Mayor's Public Engagement Unit (PEU), Garfield's work isn't about filling out forms or checking boxes. His focus is on meeting New Yorkers exactly where they are—at their doors, in their neighborhoods, and often in their toughest moments.

What drives Garfield is the deeply personal, human side of public service. He loves being out in the field because it allows him to make a real-time difference right when someone needs it most. "What I enjoy most is the human side of the work," Garfield shares. "PEU gives us the chance to make real-time impact—not months later, not through paperwork, but right there in the moment."

That passion comes alive when he visits schools or career events, where he can feel the energy and potential of young adults and families. He loves bringing different city agencies together so residents can get immediate help without feeling overwhelmed by a confusing system.

For Garfield, this work is personal, and the impact is real. He still remembers a critical Friday when he met a young woman who had suddenly become homeless. By leaning on the trusted relationships he built in the community, he was able to quickly get a door opened for her.

"What struck me most was how one conversation, one follow-up, one connection can shift someone's entire situation," Garfield reflects. "It reminded me that the small things are often the big things." 

The next time you see the PEU out in the community, look for Garfield. He'll be the one listening intently, solving problems in real-time, and making sure that no matter how big or chaotic the city gets, the people who live in it are always seen, always heard, and always supported.