NYS Justice Center honors Community Resources Staten Island Direct Support Professional with Annual Code of Conduct Award

NYS Justice Center honors Community Resources Staten Island Direct Support Professional with Annual Code of Conduct Award

State agency charged with protecting 1 million New Yorkers spotlights local care worker

The NYS Justice Center is pleased to announce that Mohamed El Showki, Direct Support Professional (DSP) with Community Resources Staten Island (CRSI), has been selected as a recipient of the Justice Center’s Code of Conduct Award for the 2025 program.

Serving as a DSP with CRSI for just under one year, Mohamed has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in his role, making a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. Seamlessly blending a commitment to safety and person-centered care, Mohamed’s work reflects the highest standards of the Justice Center’s Code of Conduct.

“Treating people with dignity and compassion is not just a priority for DSPs like Mohamed, it’s a call to service,” said Justice Center Acting Executive Director Maria Lisi-Murray. “In alignment with Governor Hochul’s call for improved public safety, I’m proud to lead an agency that’s committed to creating a safer, more inclusive New York. The Code of Conduct Award presentations give me the opportunity to celebrate staff who share in that mission. Well done, Mohamed!”

Those honored with a Code of Conduct Award truly embody the Justice Center’s founding principles and standards outlined in the Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to ensure people enrolled in programs under Justice Center jurisdiction receive support in a manner that prioritizes their dignity, safety, and rights.

Mohamed stood out to the Justice Center for his ability to meet the unique needs and preferences of each person in his care. By understanding individual circumstances, he ensures that his interventions are both appropriate and effective. Mohamed also empowers people by encouraging their participation in care decision-making processes. This approach helps those in his care be more in control and confident about their well-being.

"True leadership is not about titles or positions; it’s about the courage to stand up for what’s right, the compassion to lift others when they cannot stand on their own, and the commitment to serve with integrity every single day,” said Mary Rafferty, Executive Director of CRSI. “You embody that leadership, not just in what you do, but in who you are."

Awards are compiled by the NYS Justice Center each year. Winners are selected by the Justice Center’s Advisory Council – a group that provides guidance to the Justice Center in the development of policies, programs, and regulations. The council consists of service providers, people who have or are currently receiving services, their family members, and advocates.

The Justice Center received more than 200 nominations for this year’s program. Six winners were selected from a dozen finalists. Each submission highlighted the dedicated members of our State’s human services workforce.

For more information on this year’s awards, please click here.

###

About the Justice Center

The Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center) was established in 2013 by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act. The agency was created to restore public trust in the institutions and individuals charged with caring for vulnerable populations by protecting the health, safety, and dignity of all people with special needs. Through investigation, education, and action, the Justice Center creates a safer environment for more than 1,000,000 individuals receiving services across six State Agencies.