2022 Employees of the Year Announced!

Claudia Rhodes and Sophia Saunders Named Employees of the Year 2022

Claudia Rhodes and Sophia Saunders both have the honor of being named the 2022 CBS Employee of the Year! Through a secret ballot vote, direct support staff from CBS programs have recognized Claudia and Sophia for their exemplary work in promoting the agency’s mission. In all that they do, Claudia and Sophia provide the people they support with the best quality of life through residential and community-based opportunities.

Claudia and Sophia join the ranks of previous staff who have reached this high level of achievement. Their nominations highlighted impeccable attendance records, creativity, compassion and strong work ethic. They were each presented with a certificate and a box of chocolates on Thursday, September 15.

Claudia Rhodes: Milestone Employee

Claudia has been with the agency for five years. During her tenure she has been a residential DSP and a job coach. She currently holds the title of residential day assistant. In this capacity, Claudia manages the medical appointments, the shopping, and other needs for the house. She also is responsible for getting the residents to their day programs and keeps in communication with the programs during the day.

Claudia’s experience in this field began in 1994, while she was enrolled in nursing school. What has kept her engaged in the direct care field for almost 30 years?

“It is always interesting. I love, love, love working with the people I support. They keep me going. They keep me motivated,” says Claudia.

Claudia’s advice to those who are new to the field is to “be patient, be willing and able to teach and to learn.”

Sophia Saunders: Making an Impact

DSP Sophia Saunders has only been with CBS for one year, but in this time has made a tremendous impact on the people she supports in the Westchester Without Walls program as well as on her teammates.

The part of her job that Sophia enjoys most is interacting with the people she supports and being out in the community with them. “I love sharing in their happiness doing things that we take for granted,” says Sophia.

Sophia celebrated her one-year anniversary at CBS on September 2, 2022. How does she describe her experience working for the agency? “It’s great! It helps to have a good team of people. The managers have done a good job supporting me,” she says.  

CBS values its direct support team. In her letter announcing this year’s winners, CEO Vicki Sylvester PhD wrote:

“I’m so proud to lead such a tremendous team! Your strong work ethic and commitment to the people we support are the foundation of our agency’s success. Through more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, you have continued to provide amazing care and compassion while dealing with unprecedented challenges. What you are doing is inspirational.”

CBS would also like to recognize and congratulate our nominees:  Maryann Gonzales, Crystal Lemmon, Vincent Tate, Rohan Glanville, Sylvester Ndimele, Janay Dennis, Tsehay Kebede, Monique Minott, Annmarie Stephens, Waylon Bacchus and Dawn Lyles. Their commitment has been exceptional!

These awards come not only with recognition, but also with $500 for the Employee of the Year winners and $250 for the nominees.

Well done, everyone!