New Community hosted Employee Appreciation Day on March 1, which was National Employee Appreciation Day, to honor and celebrate employees who reached career milestones in 2023. A total of 46 employees were recognized at the event with a combined total of 590 years of service.
New Community CEO Simone Gagneron told the honorees that the organization would not be able to fulfill its mission without them.
“These milestones do not only represent years of service, but they represent individual lives that you have changed for the better,” she said. “This work would not be possible without your commitment, your dedication and all the results of what you all have presented. NCC would not be possible without you. So we are truly grateful and we appreciate you all.”
New Community Director of Human Resources Benjamin Galvez said all honorees have demonstrated a commitment to the people NCC serves every day.
“We recognize that fulfilling our mission is a challenging endeavor, one that never ends,” he said. “We appreciate you and today we say congratulations and a most sincere thank you for your years of dedication.”
Two members of NCC’s Environmental Services team were recognized for 40 years of service to the organization: Bryant Hall and Linda Studivant.
New Community Director of Environmental Services Wayne Gravesande said they both embody NCC.
“They make the wheels turn. Linda, thank you for all your service and your help day in and day out. Without you, a piece would be missing. Bryant, you’re a pillar here,” he said. “Linda, Bryant, thank you from the bottom of my heart and from New Community, the Executive Team, Board and all of your peers.”
Hall said he, like many other honorees, have seen highs and lows over the years, but the mission always shines through.
“The spirit of New Community is about people,” he said. “Lifting those that need help. Helping those to stand that need to stand and can no longer stand on their own. Everyone in this room has served this purpose in one way or another.”
New Community Director of Mission Frances Teabout said the celebration provides NCC employees who may work behind the scenes the opportunity to hear praise that leadership hears more frequently.
“Today, we want to say a loud thank you for all that you do. Thank you for touching the lives of our people. Thank you for making New Community look good,” she said. “We’re saying it loud and we’re saying it for the people in the back.”
Each honoree who reached a milestone year was presented with a certificate and later received a rewards program gift, which was based on years of service.
2023 Honorees
5 Years of Service
Agnes (Shanelle) Ebanks, CHELC
Terrance Hicks, Security
Sunday Ilesanmi, Security
Donte Moses, Security
Nkechi Okoroji, Extended Care
Temitope Oludotun, CHELC
Ana Issa Martinez, Extended Care
Eon Reid, Extended Care Dietary
Darnelle Richardson, Adult Learning Center
Charlene Smith, Security
Patrick Taylor, Security
Eidy Urena, Adult Learning Center
Alice Faye Vinson-Davis, HHELC
Obinna Onwunaka, Security
10 Years of Service
Akinade Adeyemi, Security
Leslie Andujar, Human Resources
Bridget Bouie, Security
Dwayne Clyburn, Better Life
Frances Davis, HHELC
Marva Gillens, Security
Mark Hall, Security
Evelyn John, CHELC
Ronald Manning, CHELC
Elsie Palacios, CHELC
Joseph Takouezim, Property Management
Dametria Wertz, FSB
Quawee Williams, Security
John Zaccheus, NCCTI
15 Years of Service
Jerome Barrow, Security
Nijeriah Coley-Severin, Extended Care
Rose Estaing, Extended Care
Ronda Lawrence, Environmental Services
John Mensah, Security
Rosa Ramirez, Adult Learning Center
20 Years of Service
Yetunde Amokun, Extended Care
Cristhian Barcelos, Adult Learning Center
Kala Boxcell, Extended Care
Marie Payen, CHELC
25 Years of Service
Richard Cammarieri, Community Engagement
Dolores Thomas, Extended Care
Elizabeth Mbakaya, Finance
30 Years of Service
Gerard Mansare, Security
35 Years of Service
William Folsom, Security
40 Years of Service
Bryant Hall, Environmental Services
Linda Studivant, Environmental Services
