Page 13 - Work Force October 2025

‘More than a paycheck:’ ‘More than a paycheck:’
OPWDD workers honored for service OPWDD workers honored for service
ALBANY — Twenty-six CSEA members were
recently recognized as “Statewide Direct Support
Professionals of the Year” by the state Office for
People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
The members, who work as direct support
assistants at OPWDD locations across the state,
were honored at a ceremony in Albany. In addition
to OPWDD officials and supervisors, attendees
included CSEA statewide officers, local officers
and union staff.
“CSEA is proud to join with OPWDD in
recognizing these hardworking direct support
professional members who give so much of
themselves every day to the people they care for,”
said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “We all owe
them a great debt of gratitude for their dedication
and commitment. Congratulations to all the
awardees!”
“I applaud these direct support professionals,”
said CSEA Executive Vice President Richard Bebo.
“It was an honor to be there and to hear stories
of the selfless, hard work that they do every day.
Every person truly deserved to be awarded and
celebrated.”
CSEA OPWDD Statewide Labor-Management
Committee Chair Faye Wilkie-Fields was also on
hand to present certificates on behalf of our union
to the honorees.
OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer presented
certificates of recognition on behalf of the agency.
“This event recognizes the backbone of the
direct support system,” said Baer. “The work you
do is challenging, and OPWDD is committed to
doing everything we can do to professionalize and
elevate the work you do. The people we recognize
today represent the highest expression and
Cerniglia
elevation of our shared mission. I have watched
some of you at work, and I am so impressed and
grateful for all you do. You are inspiring.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner,
State Operations Salvatore
Cerniglia also addressed the
honorees.
“You are mentors and
advocates and every day you
bridge the gap between challenge
and possibility,” said Cerniglia.
“Because of you, families rest
easier knowing that their loved
ones are being taken care of. You
set the standard.”
Before receiving their certificates from
OPWDD and CSEA, honorees were introduced by
regional OPWDD supervisory staff and immediate
supervisors, who shared individual stories about
direct support assistants (DSAs) and the unique
ways they contribute to the homes they work in
and the individuals they care for.
Wilkie-Fields, a DSA for 36 years and CSEA
Brooklyn Developmental Center Local President,
reflected on the work and the recognition.
“This job is about so much more than a
paycheck,” said Wilkie-Fields. “DSAs must
go beyond the call of duty, frequently act as
surrogates and advocates. The reward that
comes from the work is not measurable. Yet,
still, there is tremendous value as a DSA to know
that someone is seeing you, someone is looking
and acknowledging the most important part, the
humanitarian part.”
— Therese Assalian
CSEA OPWDD
members honored:
Long Island Region:
Long Island DDSO: Kirk Jones and William
Thomas
Metropolitan Region:
Bernard Fineson DDSO: Jerrell Holmes and
Muzette Marcel
Brooklyn DDSO: Gloria Abram and
Terri Lewis
Metro NY DDSO: Carmen Gomez and
Woody Jean-Louis
Staten Island DDSO: Charles Culmer and
Natasha Concepcion
Southern Region:
Hudson Valley DDSO: Judith Herring and
Garland Townsend
Taconic DDSO: Christopher Cash and
Jonathan Denson
Capital Region:
Capital District DDSO: Anthony Addo and
Shelise Kramer
Central Region:
Broome DDSO: Kimberly Gelsnian and
Helen Rhodes
Central New York DDSO: Craig Stannard and
Kristina Zelehowsky
Sunmount DDSO: Keisha Ward and
Matthew McAllister
Western Region:
Finger Lakes DDSO: Brandi Hoke and
Torrey Maher
Western New York DDSO: Scott C. Davis and
Holly Mathien
October 2025 13 13
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