Page 16 - Work Force November 2025

From left, OPWDD
Commissioner Willow
Baer, Carmen Gomez.
Gomez: Heart for the work,
a home for her ‘guys’
BRONX — After 18 years of service
at Metro New York DDSO, Carmen
Gomez still walks into work each day
with the same warmth and purpose
that first brought her there.
Recently honored as Direct
Support Professional (DSP) of the
Year, Gomez said the recognition
is less about awards and more
about the love she shares with the
individuals she supports.
“It was really just an appreciation
for all the hard work we do,” she
said of the ceremony. “I just want
to make their lives easier. I want
to make them as independent as
possible. I want them to feel like
they’re part of a family.”
At her group home, Gomez
manages a household of 10
individuals, all over age 30. The
house, she said, is filled with
laughter, holiday decorations and
the energy of people who know they
are cared for.
“If you walk into our home,
you’ll see Halloween decorations
everywhere,” she said. “We make it
as homey as possible so the guys
can feel like it’s their home.”
Her compassion is deeply
personal. Gomez’s 7-year-old son
is on the autism spectrum, and her
years of experience have helped her
both at work and at home.
“Working here has taught me how
to be more patient—with everyone,”
she said. “It’s shown me how to
handle situations with my son. There
are things I’ve learned here that I use
at home every day.”
She recalls moments that remind
her why she loves what she does,
like seeing a former program
participant spot her years later at a
Macy’s and run across the store to
give her a hug.
“It warmed my heart,” Gomez
said. “It just reminded me how much
of a difference we make.”
Now newly promoted to house
manager, Gomez hopes to continue
advocating for her residents and
ensuring they have enriching lives
full of inclusion and joy.
“They’re regular people like you
and me,” she said. “They want the
same love and respect we all want.”
As a proud union member, Gomez
also values the sense of protection
and support she feels at Metro New
York DDSO.
“If I ever have a question or issue,
I know someone will help,” she said.
“It makes me feel protected and not
alone.”
After nearly two decades,
Gomez remains guided by the same
principle that first inspired her.
“This isn’t just a job,” said
Gomez. “It’s love.”
— David Galarza
Making mornings bright: Zelehowsky recognized for passionate care
AUBURN — For
Kristina Zelehowsky,
caring for others
runs in the family.
As a direct
support assistant
at Central New
York DDSO, she
has supported
individuals with
Zelehowsky
developmental
disabilities for more than two
decades with the New York
State Office for People With
Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
She was recently honored as one of
the agency’s DSP of the Year award
recipients.
Zelehowsky’s career began in 2002
with what is now the Finger Lakes
DDSO before transferring to Central
New York DDSO in 2006. But her
connection to the work goes back
even further.
“My mom worked for Central New
York DDSO in the 80s,” she said. “I
followed suit. I enjoyed her stories
about her job – it was important
to her. I decided it was something I
wanted to try out. At first, I didn’t
think it was going to be something I
would do as a career. It was a little
overwhelming, but I grew to love it.”
That love has carried her
through years of early mornings and
meaningful relationships. Working
out of an Individual Residential
Alternative (IRA), Zelehowsky
starts her day before sunrise,
helping individuals prepare for their
programs.
“I work 6 to 10 a.m., Monday
through Friday, so I have a very busy
morning,” she said. “I get them up
and ready for the day, do my notes
and then head home.”
For Zelehowsky, the key to
forming trust with the individuals
she works with is simple: treat
everyone with kindness and
patience.
“I just try to treat them how I want
to be treated,” she said. “Give them
time to feel me out and know that
I’m safe and there for them.”
Her co-workers describe her as
upbeat and calm – a presence that
steadies the room.
“People tell me I calm the room
when I walk in,” she said, smiling. “I
think my co-workers nominated me
because I’m happy most of the time
and don’t complain a lot. I enjoy my
job and being there in the morning
to get everyone up and ready puts
us all in a good mood.”
Zelehowsky feels grateful for the
recognition, but even more grateful
for the life and family she has built
along the way. She has raised three
children while working full time and
now part time, and she recently
watched her daughter follow in her
footsteps.
“When my daughter was 17,
she started working with OPWDD
through Mosaic (an OPWDD-
contracted provider agency),” she
said. “When she turned 18, she
took the state test and got hired by
Central New York DDSO. She’s almost
a year in now and loves her job.”
Zelehowsky couldn’t be prouder
to see the tradition continue.
“If you’re 18 and want a job
that’s stable, secure, and has great
benefits, why not?” she said. “It’s a
great agency to work for.”
After more than 20 years,
Zelehowsky still finds joy in every
shift.
“I love the people I take care of,”
she said. “Everyone is so different.
I’ve just enjoyed being a part of
their lives and being able to help
them throughout their day, it’s been
rewarding.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
November 2025
16 The Work Force