City celebrates nonprofits, public servants at inaugural human service awards

In honor of “NYC Nonprofit Week,” Mayor Eric Adams and the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services (MONS) hosted the city’s first-ever “Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards” (EHSDAs) at Gracie Mansion on Aug. 19, celebrating the critical role nonprofits and their government partners play in serving New York City’s most vulnerable residents.

Eight nonprofit organizations and public servants were recognized for their dedication to strengthening the city’s social safety net, from housing, legal services, and health care to youth programs.

Ana J. Almanzar, deputy mayor for strategic initiatives, told amNewYork Metro that a ceremony honoring the achievements of nonprofits and their partners at city agencies was long overdue.

“It’s a demonstration of the Adams administration’s commitment to the nonprofits and to our colleagues throughout the city government and agencies who dedicate their lives to serve New Yorkers on the nonprofit side,” Almanzar said. “Every time we have an emergency, the nonprofits are there, working with us shoulder to shoulder, just to deliver for New Yorkers.”

The Mayor’s Office hosted the first Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards at Gracie Mansion on Aug. 19.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Michael Sedillo, executive director of MONS, said the awards celebrated the partnership between city agencies and nonprofits that build and maintain the city’s social safety net.

“A lot of these stories are often overlooked or unheralded, and so part of the work that we do at the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services is to try to change the culture across city agencies and make it one of customer service in partnership with our nonprofit providers,” Sedillo told amNewYork Metro.

Sedillo also acknowledged the uncertainty nonprofits face amid former President Donald Trump’s attacks on federal funding for charitable organizations. He noted that in April, Adams took an unprecedented step by allocating more than $5 billion — or 50% — in advance payments to city-contracted nonprofits for Fiscal Year 2026. Typically, nonprofits receive 25% of their funding at the start of the fiscal year.

“The mayor said that for many of our providers, they’re going to get 50%. It’s a trying time; there’s uncertainty out there. So the mayor thought that this was the right thing to do to meet the moment and help our providers have cash flow at the start of the fiscal year,” Sedillo said.

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro speaks at the inaugural Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards at Gracie Mansion on Aug. 19.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

The award process drew more than 100 nominations, with city agency employees nominating nonprofit providers with active contracts and nonprofits nominating city staff who support them. A selection committee of nonprofit leaders and city employees reviewed applications, interviewed finalists, and made the final decisions.

Four nonprofit organizations were honored for their impact across the five boroughs:

The Elder Law Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services, awarded for “Excellence in Customer Service”

Mount Sinai REACH Program, recognized for “Action and Innovation”

Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, Inc., awarded for “Operational Excellence”

REM Center, Inc., recognized as “Emerging Nonprofit”

Daniel Barkley, director of the Elder Law Unit, said it was meaningful to see his organization, which serves lower-income residents over 60 in Brooklyn and Manhattan, recognized.

“To be honored in this way, to be nominated by New York City Aging, who is our primary funder, just felt like a real honor,” Barkley said. “And the people who we work with and serve are being recognized indirectly through us.”

Krystal Astwood, founder and executive director of REM Center, Inc., said the honor was a surprise. Her Bronx-based organization, founded in 2021, focuses on responding to community and family needs.

“A lot of the work that we do comes from what families, parents, [and] community members say that they need,” Astwood said. “So this is really [for] them. It’s great to see them be acknowledged and be seen for the work that they’re doing in the community.”

Markida Murrell-Owens approaches the podium to accept the Excellence in Customer Service award.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Two city employees and one agency also received awards:

Markida Murrell-Owens, contract specialist II at the Department of Youth and Community Development, “Excellence in Customer Service”

Shakina Shaw, Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor and COMPASS Director at the Department of Youth and Community Development, “Action and Innovation”

Administration for Children’s Services, “Operational Excellence”

Murrell-Owens, who has served 27 years, said it was a “blessing” to be recognized. She works closely with nonprofits to guide them through the contract registration process.

“I do my best to make sure that they get money, because if they don’t, all these programs wouldn’t be happening,” she said. “It feels great to know that what you do is helping a lot of people. You’re contributing to less violence, more education, happier kids [and] happier households. It feels good to contribute to that.”

Shaw said the recognition highlighted the value of city employees’ contributions.

“I think for me, someone seeing all the work that all of us do as city workers is really pivotal,” Shaw said, describing her work as an investment in families.

Deputy Mayor Ana J. Almanzar (left) poses with Dr. Rosa M. Gil, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr. Rosa Gil, founder and CEO of Comunilife, Inc., for her decades-long commitment to improving the city’s nonprofit sector. Under Gil’s leadership, Comunilife created 3,000 housing units for people living with HIV and mental illness.

“Today is a recognition, not only of my work, but basically what we nonprofits do in the city of New York, which is save lives, to make sure children and youth develop and they go to school, and who knows, maybe one day they will be the Mayor of the City of New York,” Gil said. “We, in the nonprofit world, what we do is just to enable individuals to have a good life and then to contribute to the city of New York, which is what we are all about.”

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro delivered remarks on behalf of Adams.

“It’s because of that unique partnership between the government and the not-for-profit world that New York City is unlike any other city in the world. This administration, this mayor, is so proud to have been a part of seeing so many fundamental changes for the better,” Mastro said.

Dr. Jeffrey Weiss (right) accepts the award on behalf of the Mount Sinai REACH Program.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Krystal Astwood (third from right), founder of the Reggio Emilia Montessori Center, was among the honorees.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

In a statement, Adams praised the nonprofit sector for standing alongside his administration to “continue to build a stronger, fairer, and more caring New York City together.”

“This first-ever Excellence in Human Service Delivery Awards is about more than recognition — it’s about honoring the people who make New York City work for everyone,” Adams said. “We’re celebrating our incredible nonprofit organizations that have delivered critical services across the five boroughs, as well as our tireless public servants, who have solved problems, cut red tape, and made sure help gets where it’s needed most. With their innovation, compassion, and commitment to continuously get stuff done, these honorees represent the very best of our city.”