AHRC New York City was recently named one of Forbes America’s Best Midsize Employers for a second consecutive year.
Founded in 1949, AHRC NYC has grown into the state’s largest nonprofit organization supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. AHRC NYC was the only organization in the field named to the Forbes list.
AHRC NYC ranked 217 of 500 companies on this year’s list, which was released on Feb. 10, 2022, and 7th in the healthcare and social industry. In 2021, AHRC NYC ranked 462.
“As president of the Board of Directors, I am affirmed by the recognition of AHRC NYC on the Forbes List of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2022,” Raymond Ferrigno said. “It is especially important to me that staff think highly of their employer. The pride and dedication of the staff are what ensure that AHRC NYC provides quality services to children and adults throughout New York City. This has been a foundational principle expected by both families and the board.”
“We are proud of the Forbes Best Midsize Employer recognition. I believe it is truly a testament to our dedicated workforce, especially during the two years of the pandemic,” said Marco Damiani, CEO of AHRC NYC. “Nearly 5,000 people have chosen this as their workplace, and we always welcome new, passionate and talented colleagues to join us in our mission. While I consider this a well-deserved recognition, I know we can always do better. There are still significant challenges facing us in our work, and we will always aim to improve the quality of the supports we provide every day and the vital impact on people with disabilities and our staff who support them.”
America’s Best Employers 2022 were identified through an independent survey taken by approximately 60,000 American employees working for companies with more than 1,000 workers in the United States. In total, 1,000 employers were recognized across 25 different industry sectors. The list is divided into two rankings: 500 large and 500 midsize employers.
Employees Feel Honored and Proud
Denise Polanco-Nieves, Principal of AHRC NYC’s Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School has worked with our organization for 25 years. “I am very proud to be a part of this well-balanced organization that does such important work to benefit people with disabilities in an ethically responsible manner and that treats them with great dignity and respect,” she said. “I am also proud of the ongoing support and the resources that AHRC NYC provides to its employees to ensure that we successfully fulfill our mission. In my eyes, we are an organization with processes and practices that are indisputably best-in-class.”
Shadae Young planned to go into teaching when she took a seven-year detour to AHRC NYC. A Community Support Professional with Day Habilitation Without Walls, Young enjoys taking the people she supports out in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn or Manhattan. “For me, the recognition feels good because I’m part of this,” she said. “It’s very fulfilling work knowing that you can help someone. This job is for people with patience, can be mentally prepared and you have to have a lot of love.”During the height of the pandemic, Sohail Peter, DSP, shifted from our Cyril Weinberg day program to our Fresh Meadows home in Queens, where he knew many of the residents. He didn’t want to leave and the supervisor at the home hired him. Peter says his teaching background has helped him in both positions. “I love working over here as a team,” he said, adding how important it was for staff to bring several residents to Camp Anne, which was closed during the summer of 2020. “This little thing was a big deal for them,” Peter said. Today’s recognition “gives me a great feeling and the energy to do even better.”
Having started a DSP in AHRC NYC’s Home Care division and in our Bloomberg Apartments in Queens, Therese Williams-Wiggins was recently promoted to Manager at Bloomberg Apartment 3C. “I’m honored to be a part of a company where hard work and dedication is appreciated and rewarded,” said Williams-Wiggins, “Being a part of the AHRC NYC family, and this recognition gives me unimaginable pleasure and only serves as a catalyst in driving my co-workers and I to strive for even greater excellence.”
Hear from more AHRC NYC staff. Learn more about career opportunities with AHRC NYC. For more information, please visit www.ahrcnyc.org.
