Front line workers celebrated at ‘Resilience in Focus’ gala
Birch Family Services present the Heroes Award to front line workers. Photos courtesy Birch
Family Services
BRONX TIMES R 44 EPORTER, DEC. 3-9, 2021 BTR
Shannon Channer, assistant manager at a
Birch Family Services group home accepts
an award.
Birch Family Services, a leading provider
of education and community support
services for people with autism and
developmental disabilities in New York
City, hosted its annual gala on Nov. 10.
The event celebrated the resilience
and accomplishments of the Birch Family
Services community and honored the
more than 700 heroic frontline workers
providing uninterrupted care and critical
residential, educational, employment
and community services to individuals
and their families throughout
the pandemic.
“This year has been a challenging
one for us all, but the Birch Family Services
community has come through
stronger than ever,” said Matt Sturiale,
president and CEO, Birch Family Services.
“We are proud to celebrate the
incredible strides children and adults
with disabilities have made this year in
achieving their goals while honoring the
essential workers — our frontline staff
members — who have been supporting
them every step of the way. Throughout
the pandemic, this group of essential
workers have been teaching in our
classrooms, providing training and support
in our residences, keeping individuals
safe and engaged, helping people get
back to work, and maintaining a sense of
normalcy for our individuals and their
families. We salute them and celebrate
their dedication and resilience.”
-Bronx Times
Marjory Antoine, deputy director of education
at Birch Family Services, accepted the
award on behalf of the organization’s more
than 700 front line workers.
The Real Word Ministries Inc. distributed a total of 500 turkeys, several
pounds of produce and more than 300 coats and articles of clothing on Nov. 21
at the Concourse Village Community Center. NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams,
state Sen. Luis Sepúlveda, Assemblywoman Chantel Jackson, Bronx Borough
President-elect Vanessa Gibson, Councilwoman-elect Althea Stevens, U.S. Rep.
Ritchie Torres and Goals off the Field helped make the distribution possible.
On Nov. 24, Bronx hip-hop artist Fat Joe teamed up with Krasdale Foods to
distribute more than $36,000 worth of Thanksgiving meal essentials to Bronxites
at one of the UP NYC sneaker and clothing stores at 2490 Third Ave.
From left, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who assisted with the distribution, poses
with Fat Joe in the store. Photo Jewel Webber
People collect donated jackets at the distribution.
Photo courtesy Rickard Jean-Noel
Fat Joe distributes
Thanksgiving meals
Real World Ministries
distributes necessities