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Debbie Schwartz, who lives in a YAI supportive apartment at Ocean Parkway, has been involved with advocacy for as long as she can remember. A regular in Albany, she’s advocated for people with disabilities and frontline staff. On December 10, her many years of selfless work were noted by the State, and she received a Certificate of Recognition signed by Governor Cuomo.
“I was shocked. I didn’t even know something like that was going to happen,” said Schwartz.
The award was presented by Senator Roxanne Persaud, whose mother Yvonne worked at YAI for 35 years.
For Assistant Supervisor Janice John, who worked with Senator Persaud's mother and has worked with Schwartz for more than 10 years, seeing Schwartz receive the award was full circle.
“It makes me happy to see that she’s not only thinking about herself but about her peers and the staff that works with her,” John said. “It warms my heart. She’s always thinking about other people and that’s a good quality about Debbie.