Honoring the Milestones & Achievements of S:US Staff
S:US staff seated and ready to celebrate the accomplishments of our incredible team.
At this year’s S:US Employee Recognition Ceremony, we gathered to celebrate the dedication, hard work, and passion of our incredible team. The event honored employee milestones across all levels of service in five-year increments, from 5 to 30 years, and recognized outstanding individuals through the monthly Employee Recognition Spotlights. Attendees also enjoyed winning raffle prizes, adding some extra excitement to the festivities!
Margaret-Ann Cole (MAC), Chief HR & People Officer, is our event emcee.
Margaret-Ann Cole (MAC), Chief HR & People Officer, opened the ceremony with a heartfelt message, “Today, we honor all of you who have gone above and beyond, demonstrating exceptional dedication, creativity, and teamwork. We come together to recognize all of you who have made a profound impact on our community and the lives of those we serve.” Her words reflected the gratitude and admiration felt throughout the room.
Perry Perlmutter, President & CEO, welcomes staff.
Following MAC’s remarks, Perry Perlmutter, President & CEO, took the stage to welcome everyone to the event, expressing his gratitude and appreciation: “Our annual employee recognition ceremony is one of my favorite events at S:US. Employee recognition should be every day, but this month has given us a chance to focus on it. The mission-driven work that we do is not easy. Our remarkable S:US staff goes above and beyond in their commitment to each other and the people we serve. Thank you for your years of dedicated service, we appreciate you!” Perry then launched the milestone recognitions by honoring the staff members who have served S:US for an impressive 30 years, inviting them to the stage for a well-deserved round of applause.
- Deborah Cumberbatch, VP Behavioral Health Housing, BH Admin
- Lita Griffith, Administrative Assistant, Vernon ICF
- Jerald Jenkins, APD, Brooklyn CRC-Para
- Janet Johnson, Direct Support Professional, Hillburn Ave
- Veronica Molina, Sr. Benefits Specialist, Benefits
- Sherry Randolph, APD, Hill House
Building on that spirit, Jajaida Gonzalez, Adam Wawrynek, and Faith Xikis followed by presenting certificates to the remainder of our esteemed milestone recipients. They each acknowledged the recipients’ unwavering commitment and the lasting influence they’ve had on both the organization and the communities we serve.
Presenters acknowledged special award recipients for MacGyver, Extra Mile, and Never Let Them See You Sweat Awards.
The celebration continued as the special award winners were announced. Among the distinguished recipients were Sahir Wally, HVRP Employment Specialist, Veteran Services, who was presented the “Extra Mile Award” for going above and beyond to complete tasks and Shantel Dunston Jones, APD, Behavioral Health-Chester, who earned the “MacGyver Award” for demonstrating extraordinary talent for problem-solving. We also celebrated our “Never Let Them See You Sweat” Award winners—Freddie Bratcher, Jose Urena, Yvette McBean, and Cheryl McDonald—who exhibited the willingness to consistently take all steps necessary to get the work done. This dedicated team of Day Hab Program Directors works with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are food stewards, maintaining our community fridges in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Human Resources team.
Thank you to the Event Committee for organizing our gathering, managing logistics, decorating the venue, securing raffle prizes, and mobilizing attendees. A special shout out to our Human Resources team, whose ongoing efforts encourage employee engagement and strengthen team spirit. HR’s role is vital in building a positive and supportive work environment, ensuring each staff member feels valued and connected. We’re grateful for the opportunity to come together, celebrate achievements, and honor the incredible work our S:US staff does in supporting the people we serve and their colleagues every day.