Freeman honored as Social Worker of the Year in NYC WAY TO GO — Karen Freeman (left), “Social Worker of the Year,” is joined by another PEF member, Berna LaFortezza, at the 11th annual reception saluting social workers. By DEBORAH A. MILES Helping people realize their dreams not only motivates Karen Freeman, it’s why she was honored as “Social Worker of the Year” in New York City. Freeman, who has worked as a social worker at Bernard Fineson Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Queens for 15 years, received the award in March at the 11th annual reception honoring social workers. The event was jointly sponsored by the United Way of New York City, the NYC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the Queensboro Council for Social Welfare. “Karen consistently carries out all her responsibilities with true professionalism and a lot of dedication,” said PEF member Berna LaFortezza, a co-worker who nominated Freeman. “We worked together for many years, and Karen has done so much, especially helping autistic children and other adults.” It’s about helping “I don’t think people understand what social workers really do,” Freeman said. “It’s about helping people on many different levels — identifying their needs as human beings and knowing how the system can accommodate those needs.” For example, eight years ago, Freeman assisted a 46-year-old mentally retarded woman who fell and broke her hip. The woman was placed in a nursing home for rehabilitation. The accident left her confined to a wheelchair, so she was forced to remain in the nursing home because the group home where she had lived was not handicapped accessible. Dreams come true Freeman helped the client realize her dream of getting out of the nursing home and into an “Independent Residential Alternative (IRA).” It took eight years of processing paperwork, overcoming system snafus and waiting for an appropriate group home to become available. “A lot of obstacles were in the way, but you keep pushing and doing what you have to do so people can realize their dreams,” Freeman said. “I had mixed feelings about receiving the award,” she added. “I’m here to help people. When my client finally left the nursing home, she hugged me and said I was the best. That’s a true reward.” Along with her regular caseload, Freeman is the Employees Assistance Program (EAP) coordinator at Bernard Fineson. In this capacity, she refers employees who are overwhelmed with work-related or personal issues to appropriate agencies. She is also a board member of “Bright Beginnings,” a child care center for state employees. And Freeman has served PEF Division 207 as council leader, assistant council leader, secretary and program coordinator.