One grows and distributes food. Another fights tirelessly for her unhoused neighbors. Another gives prom gowns to teens who otherwise might not be able to afford them.
Two more are unpaid directors of small community organizations and one passionately tends the flower beds in a section of Riverside Park.
As always, our Good Neighbor Awards were a celebration of the unique people who make our communities stronger—and the many ways they give of themselves.
“Our core values here at Goddard Riverside are community, leadership and partnership and tonight we’re here to celebrate honorees that represent all those things,” said Chief Operating Office Andrea Cain Lawson, helping to kick off the festivities.
While the mood was joyous, many of the honorees noted the dark times we’re living in. They expressed hope that strong communities can be a bulwark against hate.
“I love my neighborhood, I love my people in my neighborhood,” said Sharon Tyson, who provides meals and compassion to her Sugar Hill community. “And we must learn to love one another in spite of where we came from and where we’re going—we all have to come together.”
The honorees were nominated by community members in neighborhoods Goddard serves, and chosen by a committee of active volunteers and former winners. They are:
Shaen Begleiter for his decades of dedicated leadership of the West 68th Street Block Association. As president in 1998 and again from 2014 onward, Shaen led a reorganization to form a steering committee that reflects all segments of the block, ensuring inclusive decision-making. He also spearheaded the “Rat Pack” rodent control initiative and transformed tree pit plantings with raised beds and rodent-resistant designs. During Covid, he kept the corner produce stand open and co-created a neighborhood hub for resources, support, and health guidance. Known by many as the “Mayor of 68th Street,” Shaen has helped build a more connected, beautiful, and responsive community, exemplifying the vital, often overlooked role of block associations.
Roberta Bessey for her 20 years of dedicated stewardship as “Tender” from 74th to 79th Streets in Riverside Park, tirelessly maintaining and beautifying this well-used area through daily care like planting, mulching, watering, and weeding. Her self-taught gardening expertise and commitment have created year-round beauty and fostered community respect for the park. As a retired nurse, her nurturing spirit is reflected in her work and inspires others to carry on her lasting legacy.
Cheri Leon for her vital role in a volunteer group supporting unhoused neighbors in Washington Square Park, and especially for her dedication to a resident who spent over a year experiencing homelessness in Father Fagan Park. Cheri showed up regularly, bringing food, blankets, and supplies, washing clothes, tending to wounds, and defending and advocating for her rights. Her genuine friendship and tireless support were instrumental in that resident’s transition into housing, and her ongoing compassion has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many others.
John Mudd for his leadership of the Midtown South Community Council, mobilizing partnerships and community power to address health, hunger, and housing. Through initiatives like the urban garden, distribution of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and “Street Sheets,” John finds creative, collaborative ways to provide tangible resources. Additionally, his hosting of ongoing forums, panels and events, uplifts the unique ways people contribute to the community, bringing people together to have critical discussions and advocate for a more equitable New York City.
Sharon Tyson for her unwavering dedication to feeding, comforting, and caring for her community across Sugar Hill and beyond. Whether preparing hot meals overnight for 400 mourners on just two days’ notice or opening her home to those in need, Sharon shows up energetically again and again. A mother of six and caregiver to her 90-year-old mother, she cooks for churches across boroughs, supports grieving families (even traveling to those out of state), and handles final arrangements for neighbors with compassion and grace.
Altagracia Martinez Valdez for her years of dedicated service through Dominican Community Services NYC, Inc., fostering a stronger, more connected neighborhood. From free ESL and Citizenship classes to cultural events that celebrate Dominican heritage, she consistently offers resources that open doors and bring people together. Additionally, her beloved Prom Dress Giveaway ensures students feel confident and celebrated, and neighbors regularly turn to her for help with housing or domestic challenges. Altagracia’s ability to bring people together, create solutions, and uplift others has left an indelible mark on our community.