EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED ON THEIR SPECIAL DAY
New Community delivered a heartfelt ‘thank-you’ to more than 70 employees for their years of service or dedication to their jobs and the organization’s mission during the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony.
“As your CEO, I feel very blessed to head an organization made up of so many talented individuals who give of themselves so unselfishly to ensure that the important work we do is carried out,” said Richard Rohrman, during the ceremony held at St. Joseph Plaza in Newark, NCC’s headquarters.
Sponsored by NCC’s Human Resources Department, the program featured the awarding of plaques to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service, as well as the presentation of special awards in three categories.
NCC’s highest honor, the Monsignor William J. Linder Award, named after NCC’s founder, was won by Samson “Sammy” Gebreyesus, Asset Manager in the Housing Mgmt. Department. A 25-year employee, Gebreyesus started his career with New Community as a waiter in the Priory restaurant, working his way up to maitre d’ and eventually restaurant manager. He then moved over to housing management. Although quiet and unassuming, Gebreyesus is recognized as one who is totally immersed and dedicated to NCC’s mission, which is focused on improving quality of life for inner-city residents. He is also a compassionate person outside of work who is always reaching out to those in need, even if it requires self-sacrifice.
“In every organization there are people who go about their duties quietly and unassumingly, but nonetheless, their loyalty to the mission and their contributions are quite significant,” said Rohrman in presenting Gebreyesus with the award.
Other special award winners included Ruby Haynes, an 80-year-old certified nursing assistant at the New Community Extended Care Center who was presented with the President’s Service Award for her longtime service and going “above and beyond the call of duty” in fulfilling the mission. Chosen for the Humanitarian Awards were Bryant Hall, Purchasing Manager for Environmental Services and Ruth Reeves, a supervisor in the Finance Department, both of whom are also very involved in their respective churches and community.
Hall is a stickler for detail and getting things done, all in the interest of pleasing NCC residents and employees, while Reeves is known as the “mother of all” by her co-workers for her caring ways and sense of teamwork and helpfulness.
After the ceremony, the employees enjoyed a luncheon prepared by the chefs at Extended Care and were given the remainder of the day off.
