Enabling the potential of people with developmental disabilities, enriching our communities
2018 Goldman Award Winners
Lisa Munzer’s nomination of Dee read as follows:
I would like to nominate Dee Eckert for this award. Dee is a Residence Coordinator who embodies the spirit of the Goldman Award. I have worked with Dee and she maintains a very calm demeanor, in spite of any stresses. She leads her team with quiet determination and treats her staff with the understanding of a true leader. I have personally witnessed her interactions with families that have their loved ones in our care. She fosters the family connections that create a “circle of support.” In the very recent past, Dee and her team had to leave home due to a fire. This has to be one of the hardest challenges a Residence Coordinator must face. Dee rallied her team and the people she supported and the team were relocated and back on track very quickly. The new and temporary home was a hotel that Dee worked hard to make a successful transition for the people who call Pinewood home. Even in the hotel, there was a feeling of peace and enjoyment. I feel that there is also another special reason for this nomination….Sylvia Goldman lives at Pinewood. Dee and Sylvia have a deep bond. I think Sylvia would love to honor Dee with this award.
Bill McCloat’s nomination of Dee read as follows:
I understand that Dee Eckert is a nominee for the Goldman Award. You could not have selected a more deserving person. Israel Goldman was a friend of mine. We shared many a conversation about the highs and lows of being a New York Giants and New York Yankees fan. As I said at Izzy’s remembrance service, he was a gentleman and a gentle man. He married the love of his life, Sylvia, who possesses the same beautiful spirit that carried him through his life. My wife, Lomen and I are proud to call Sylvia our friend. As you know, Sylvia was my sister Linda’s roommate for the last four to five years of Linda’s life. Now you may ask, what does this have to do with Dee’s nomination? I would answer with one word—everything! The last four years of Linda’s life, she was prevented from visiting our home due to her physical condition. Lomen and I would visit Linda almost every Friday and all holidays and birthdays until she passed away. I saw Dee and the staff of Pinewood interact with every client in the residence. While at times things could get difficult and frustrating, each individual was treated with love, respect and care. I know this caring was not due to the presence of my wife and I. It was real and it was constant. I had many conversations with Dee over the years regarding Linda’s care and failing health. There were crossroads when Dee could have chosen the easier path and moved Linda to an acute care facility. Of course, Dee never considered this option. I would ask if Linda’s deteriorating condition could be handled by the Pinewood staff. Dee’s response was always the same; “We love Linda, Linda is going nowhere.” One of my major concerns re my sister was what would happen to Linda if Lomen and I should pre-decease her. Dee with the support of the Pinewood staff and the entire New Horizons organization took that concern off the table. Dee gave me her cell phone number for any emergency and offered her availability, anytime day or night. The effort she put into the last days of Linda’s life was extraordinary. Dee made sure that Linda was never alone in her hospital room which allowed Lomen and me to get some much needed rest during that most difficult time. The staff at Pinewood all stood up when Linda needed them most. This was quite a testament to their love for my sister and quite a testament to their respect for Dee and her leadership. I’m sure that there are other worthy nominees. I know that the New Horizons organization has a defined set of principles that guide the organization. The Goldman Award recipient must be unselfish, principled and mission-driven. You could not find three better words to define Ms. Dee Eckert. When it comes to “the guys” as Dee calls the Pinewood residents, she is tenacious. They come first every time. I can hear my old buddy Israel calling down from above—”look how Dee manages the care of my Sylvia. The award is in my name, give her the award!” As a family member of Izzy, I concur!
Nomination of 2018 Goldman Award winner Jeffrey Mahoney read as follows:
I would like to nominate Jeffrey Mahoney for the Goldman Award. Jeffrey has been with NHR at the Dwight Street residence for almost twenty years. In all the years that I have worked with Jeffrey, he has always demonstrated the true meaning of what the Goldman Award represents. He definitely embodies NHR’s Unifying Principles and the DSP Code of Ethics. He is unassuming and always supports the individuals (while staying in the background) to be the best that they can be. Jeffrey is a part-time DSP, who primarily works the overnight weekends. However, he has always picked up extra evening and day shifts on weekends. Jeffrey’s reason for doing so is that he always wants to make sure that the people we support are able to explore and soar! Jeffrey empowers not only the individuals, but also his coworkers. He is a friend to all the individuals at Dwight who love him as he loves them. He especially has an unbreakable bond with Mr. Kilmer. Every day that Jeffrey works, whether it is evening or overnight into morning, he takes Mr. Kilmer out for a walk, pushing his wheelchair throughout his neighborhood, Mr. Kilmer can see his neighbors and go support his neighborhood stores. One of the family member’s of a person supported at Dwight Street said “Jeffrey is amazing, kind, insightful and very proactive. I really appreciate how he takes John and his housemates fishing and having the wonderful idea of the tandem bicycle. I also appreciate the photos he sends me of John having so much fun. But most of all, I have observed the love Jeffrey has for John and housemates in his warm expressions and caring interactions. It is a challenging job, but Jeffrey seems joyful to be there. I am personally in awe of him.” The feeling of gratitude for the work that Jeffrey does is widespread. I received an e-mail during the Special Olympics practice from someone who had observed Jeffrey’s work and commented that he was very helpful, loves what he does and enables the individuals to do their best. During the Christmas holidays, Jeffrey supports the individuals in making cookies and delivering them to their neighbors. The neighbors wrote back thanking everyone and said how pleased they were to have a visit and that the cookies were great. Jeffrey is a wonderful member of the NHR Family who not only embodies the DSP Code of Ethics but is a truly great human being. Jeffrey always says, “I just want to make sure that they are an active part of their community and most of all that they are happy.”
What is the Goldman Award?
The Goldman Award is the highest honor conferred by NHR. It is presented to a person within NHR in memory of Israel Goldman. Mr. Goldman was a loving husband, stalwart yet gentle advocate for people with developmental disabilities, a man loved for his active and personal interest in others, a person who taught everyone around him that a successful life is defined more by who you are than what you have done, and a participant in New Horizons’ services.
The Goldman Award honors an individual in the NHR family who has exhibited extraordinarily unselfish, principled and mission-driven behavior. Some examples are: demonstrating heroic intervention in difficult circumstances, protecting life, advancing human rights in a notable way, achieving accomplishments in the field that enhance services and supports, trail blazing worthwhile innovative services and lifestyles, and providing substantial and exceptional positive influence on the lives of others.
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