#EdenInspires is an employee recognition program that is designed to acknowledge our colleagues who go above and beyond their everyday responsibilities and represent the ideals of Eden’s Core Values. We are thrilled to announce the winners of our FY21 first quarter #EdenInspires awards.
Tori Brokaw — The Eden School
While working with a student who is all-virtual, Tori believed more by thinking outside of the box to create functional work tasks and activities at home such as a scavenger hunt around the student’s home, baking activities and playing games.
Robert Altmann — Finance
Rob did what it takes by completing the necessary DDD applications for PPE and disinfection costs with very short notice, which resulted in Eden being approved for a substantial amount. In addition, he set up budget modifications, created written procedures, and designed more sophisticated schedules to help improve financial reporting.
Facilities Team (Josh Catalfamo, Jeff Hoschek, Masterfard Kelly, Connor Payne)
Since the start of the pandemic, the Facilities team has done what it takes to ensure that safety precautions are being implemented (such as weekly electrostatic application of disinfectants), all the while conducting ongoing repairs and providing preventative maintenance.
Miniimah Fisher — Residential Services
Miniimah does what it takes to provide exceptional customer service to our participants on a daily basis. For example, as a licensed barber, she donates her time to ensure the participants receive a weekly haircut, and frequently steps up when there are staff shortages.
Cheyenne Hedgepath — Residential Services
Cheyenne did what it takes and volunteered to work with COVID positive participants when the group home was short staffed – even though it was not her assigned group home.
Jeff Hoschek — Facilities
During the Christmas holiday, a power issue occurred at the Merwick location; Jeff did what it takes by going to the School in the middle of the night and then returned the morning of Christmas Eve to reset systems once the power was restored.
Adam Marcus — The Eden School
Adam did what it takes by creating new activities to help keep students engaged and learn different skills such as broomball and curling. In addition, he is always willing to assist staff whenever needed.
Patrice Tanyi — Residential Services
Patrice did what it takes and volunteered to work with COVID positive participants when the group home was short staffed – even though it was not his assigned group home.
Abigail Comito — The Eden School
Abigail went above and beyond her daily responsibilities and worked together with her Lead Teacher to assist with the Eden School virtual holiday show. Her creative ideas resulted in the most unique show to date.
Allison Corchado — The Eden School
Allison frequently works together with staff by offering to cover when someone may need a break, works lunches and leisure, and assists other staff with their students as needed. In addition, she helps out with making program materials.
Cindy Ribeiro — Finance
Due to the pandemic, there have been many changes to payroll. Cindy worked together with the Finance team to develop reports which allowed the team to quickly analyze personnel costs throughout the agency and efficiently generate relevant reports for internal or external use as well as for budgeting purposes. In addition, she took on additional responsibility to record the payroll costs in the Agency’s General Ledger System, which allowed for increased efficiency as it relates to payroll processing, recording and data analysis.
Rachel Stanley — The Eden School
Rachel has worked together with new staff by providing support during virtual teaching sessions, and volunteered to act as a mentor. In addition, she shows compassion to her co-workers by helping to organize going away and birthday gifts which keeps the team spirit strong.
Tremaine Brown and Matt Matrale — The Eden School
Quintin Robin — Clinical Services
Tremaine, Matt, and Quintin showed compassion by making themselves available to provide support in the emergency room for a student and their family for several hours into the evening, as well as assist with multiple follow-up doctor’s appointments. In addition, they offered emotional support and continued to make themselves available to the family as needed.
Shantia Jackson — Day and Employment Services
While working at a group home that she had just been assigned to, Shantia showed compassion by going to the hospital with a participant in her care, stayed until everything was settled, and provided updates along the way.
Fatmata Musa — Day and Employment Services
Fatmata showed compassion and stepped up by looking out for a co-worker who was injured at work, making sure they had everything needed and was comfortable.
Melissa Torbor — Day and Employment Services
Melissa showed compassion by providing excellent care to the participants at Sobolevitch House due to COVID. She gave constant updates on the participants’ health, provided transportation for medical care when needed, and ensured they were comfortable and their needs were met.
Kenecia Wilson-Green — Residential Services
Kenecia went above and beyond to show compassion and ensure a participant was settled and well taken care of during her hospital stays. The pandemic allowed just one person in the hospital room, and Kenecia was always the first to volunteer.
Mark Elberfeld — Adult Services, Speech
Mark goes above and beyond by being true to Eden’s mission to ensure the adult participants continue to expand on their communication skills through virtual speech sessions. In addition to making sure the sessions continue to be scheduled, he also makes trips to the group homes to drop off any materials that may be beneficial for the adult participants and staff to have in these sessions.
Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you for all that you do for our participants! Staff can nominate next quarter’s winners on the Eden Staff Matters portal.
