31 May ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND THE DIVISION OF SENIOR SERVICES CELEBRATE ESSEX COUNTY’S ANNUAL OLDER AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH Legend Awards are Presented to Five Essex County Senior Citizens
Published on May 31, 2023
Cedar Grove, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Division of Senior Services hosted the Annual Essex County Older Americans Heritage Month Celebration on Wednesday, May 31st in the Essex County Robert O’Toole Building in Essex County Cedar Grove Park in Cedar Grove. May is recognized as National Older Americans Month.
During the ceremony, DiVincenzo presented Essex County Legends Awards to Newark residents Ihsan W. Ali, Lucila Bermudez and James H. Young, Jr., Livingston resident Steven Delman and Bloomfield resident Dr. Martin Siegel.
“Older Americans Month is an opportunity for us to recognize the tremendous contributions our senior citizens have made to shape and mold today’s community and bring attention to the contributions they continue to make on a daily basis to improve our quality of life. Active in all aspects of life, our senior population is proving that you don’t slow down after you reach a certain age,” DiVincenzo said. “Our honorees have exhibited a tremendous amount of responsibility by advocating for and providing assistance that is helping their fellow seniors to remain active and continue living in our community,” he added.
“Our Legends Award recipients demonstrate that you can still contribute and make a difference in your community no matter what your age. All of our seniors are role models for the contributions they have made and continue to make, inspiring our younger generation to get involved and for the assistance they have provided to their fellow seniors,” Essex County Division of Senior Services Director Maurice Brown said.
The honorees are as follows:
Newark resident Ihsan W. Ali has been a Community Organizer and Planner for over 20 years. She currently is working to revitalize Newark’s West Ward through the Clinton Hill Block Club Coalition. The plaque presented to her states: “Ihsan Ali loves her community and has focused her lifelong efforts on improving her hometown of Newark. With more than two decades of experience as a community organizer and planner, Ihsan has used her expertise to connect with residents through her work with the Unified Vailsburg Organization and the Clinton Hill Block Club Coalition. Her vision is to restore the beauty of the area – even if it has to be done one block at a time. This includes local business development, creating affordable housing, keeping streets and properties clean and, most importantly, personally touching people’s lives by providing food and other supportive services. We thank Ihsan Ali for all she has done and continues to do to make Newark and Essex County a better place.”
“I am sincerely grateful to be recognized for my work in the community. I also want to thank my family, which has been my support system,” Ali said.
Newark resident Lucila Bermudez came to the United States over 50 years ago in search of a better life. She raised her family, had a successful career in the fashion industry, learned several languages and now stays active in the community through the FOCUS Hispanic Senior Center. The plaque presented to her states: “Lucila Bermudez personifies the ‘American Dream.’ She immigrated to the U.S. from Peru 54 years ago looking for a better life. Lucila worked two jobs to support her children (who were still in Peru) before deciding to pursue a career in fashion. She got a job as a pattern maker in New York City and then enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology. After she graduated at the top of her class, Lucila earned a promotion to Assistant Designer. Her success enabled her to bring her children to the U.S. and support their growth and education. She continued challenging herself by learning four languages (including Mandarin) and traveled the world after retiring. Lucila relocated to Newark to live with her daughter and has remained active with the FOCUS Hispanic Senior Center.”
“Thank you very much. I am very happy and appreciative,” Bermudez said.
Livingston resident Steven Delman began volunteering as coach when his children played soccer. Forty years later, he participates with several organizations that help seniors, children and needy families and support diversity and cultural awareness. The plaque presented to him states: “Steven Delman is creating a legacy of volunteerism. After he moved to Livingston in 1977, he became a volunteer coach when his children played soccer. This blossomed into a 30-year commitment to the Livingston Soccer Club of which Steve served on the Board of Directors since 1981 and as President for 8 years. He also was one of the founders of the Soccer Circle, a program that pairs special needs children with on-field mentors so people of all abilities can enjoy the game. Steve finds time to lend his time and talents to a number of organizations that assist senior citizens, young children, families in need, women veterans and promote diversity and cultural awareness. Our community would not be as vibrant without Steve. Thank you for Putting Essex County First.”
“It’s really an honor to receive this award,” Delman said. “My philosophy always has been that someone who is healthy should be able to do something for those who are not,” he added.
Bloomfield resident Dr. Martin Siegel is a dentist who enjoyed visiting children in school to promote the importance of brushing your teeth. He also earned statewide recognition for his efforts to educate the public about local government and civics. The plaque presented to him states: “Dr. Martin Siegel always looked forward to ‘Dental Week,’ which was when the Bloomfield dentist would visit with elementary school children and talk about the importance of brushing your teeth. He also had a passion for civics and local government and took it upon himself to educate others about our system of government, candidates for office and responsibilities of public servants. To spread this knowledge, Dr. Siegel created The Bloomfield Town Meeting and a talk show titled ‘Bloomfield’s Government Representatives: Who are They and Their Responsibilities?’ His efforts were recognized in 1979 when the NJ General Assembly presented him with a resolution commending Dr. Siegel and The Bloomfield Town Meeting for perpetuating our country’s democratic traditions.” Dr. Siegel did not attend the ceremony.
Newark resident James H. Young, Jr. has been involved in education and job training programs and environmental justice initiatives since the 1970s. He is the Senior Community Organizer for the South Ward Environmental Alliance. The plaque presented to him states: “Helping empower others to succeed and raising awareness about environmental justice are both passions of James Young. Throughout his career, James has helped others succeed through education and training readiness programs he has overseen for the Newark Board of Education, Council for Airport Opportunity and Work World. Later, he joined Marriott Hotel and, after working in several other cities, returned to Newark to become the first Black Human Resources Director at the Newark Airport Marriott. He turned his activism to the environment after working as an energy consultant and today continues his passion for education and advocacy for environmental awareness as the Senior Community Advisor for the South Ward Environmental Alliance.”
“It’s an honor to serve others. I have dedicated my life to the community and have fulfilled my life by serving others,” Young said.
The award winners were nominated by social service agencies and community organizations that work closely with the Essex Division of Senior Services and were chosen because they are positive role models for the younger generation, have worked tirelessly to assist fellow seniors and made tremendous contributions to improve the quality of life.
The Essex County Older Americans Heritage Month Celebration is part of a yearlong series of programs initiated by County Executive DiVincenzo to recognize and celebrate the diversity of Essex County. Other cultural celebrations celebrate African American Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Jewish Heritage, Latino Heritage, Portuguese Heritage and Women’s History.
The Essex County Division of Senior Services offers a wide range of services to eligible Essex County senior citizens. The Division offers adult protective services, provides basic transportation services, administers adult day care centers, offers counseling services, provides home delivered meals and offers visiting nurse services. For more information, please call the Division of Senior Services at 973-395-8375.