Social Services Honorees Recognized and Celebrated
Recognizing New York's Social Service Champions: The "Above & Beyond" Awards
On August 5, 2025, the 3 West Club in Midtown Manhattan played host to the "Above & Beyond Social Services: Recognizing New York's Leaders in the Social Services Sector" awards ceremony. This prestigious event honoured 54 dedicated professionals who have made significant strides in New York's social and human services field.
The honourees were lauded for their impactful work, which includes providing food security, aiding reentry for the recently incarcerated, advocating for mental health funding, and advancing innovative social service practices. Their collective efforts address the needs of vulnerable populations in New York, where poverty and homelessness rates are high, and Medicaid enrollment is extensive.
The honourees represent a diverse array of roles and organizations, including nonprofit leaders, public officials, advocates, and front-line social service workers. They deliver critical services that include early childhood development, elder care, support for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and substance use challenges. In addition, they implement innovative research, better practices, and technology to improve service delivery and navigate political and funding landscapes to sustain and expand social safety nets.
One standout leader helped achieve top rankings in housing programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and launched new housing units supporting women veterans.
The ceremony featured keynote speeches from New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden and New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. Harris-Madden emphasized the importance of uplifting and advocating for equitable futures in communities, quoting the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm, stating that service is the rent one pays for the privilege of living on this earth. Wasow Park called on the honourees to find strength and comfort in the fact that they're not alone in the struggle and expressed faith in their ability to do the hard work together.
The event was supported by sponsors including Neighborhood SHOPP, Carey & Co, Lantern Community Services, and others. The honourees left the event feeling even more inspired and empowered to continue uplifting their communities and clients. Harris-Madden urged them to find opportunity during hard times to create an even more equitable system for the future.
These awards highlight the critical roles these social service workers play in improving the welfare and resilience of New Yorkers by addressing poverty, homelessness, health disparities, and social equity challenges across the state.
The honourees were not only recognized for their work in traditional social services, but also for their efforts in advocating for mental health funding, a key aspect of health-and-wellness. Their accomplishment of advancing innovative social service practices extends to the field of science, as they implement research and technology to improve service delivery and navigate complex challenges.
The event emphasized the importance of uplifting and advocating for equitable futures in communities, particularly in the areas of health disparities and mental health, which are integral components of overall health-and-wellness and well-being.
