Sunnyside Community Services Gets Award

Photo R. Zulawski. Melissa Vitale, Sunnyside Community Services director of human resources, displays the Outstanding Achievement Award presented to SCS at the Regional Commuter Choice Awards.

Sunnyside Community Services, Inc. was one of 11 organizations in the New York region honored at the 2007 Regional Commuter Choice Awards. Sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), in collaboration with the Metropolitan Mobility Network, this award recognizes outstanding commute alternative programs that help reduce traffic and air pollution.

"The Regional Commuter Choice awards give important recognition to employers that are committed to helping their employees find better, less stressful ways to get to work," NYMTC Executive Director Joel Ettinger said. "In addition, employees make a strong contribution to help reduce congestion and the pollution that comes from so many cars on our roads." To qualify, employers in New York City, on Long Island and in Rockland, Westchester and Putnam Counties must demonstrate a commitment to getting employees to try alternatives to driving single-occupancy vehicles to work. Commute alternatives include car and van pools, mass transit, bicycling, telecommuting and other options that help improve air quality and traffic congestion.

"I am absolutely delighted that Sunnyside Community Services received the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of our commitment to our employees and to the environment," Sunnyside Community Services Director of Human Resources Melissa Vitale said. Vitale was instrumental in promoting education about and enrollment in the CommuterLink carpooling program within Sunnyside Community Services. "Those who drive can open flexible spending accounts that allow them to put up to $1,250 a year towards parking expenses if they carpool," Vitale added. SCS also offers a pre-tax benefit program for employees who choose public transportation, with almost 100 percent participation. A recent survey conducted at SCS shows that 60 percent of the staff say the pre-tax benefit has reduced their commuting costs by up to 40 percent. "But the best part is how many of the staff have expressed their satisfaction in knowing they are doing something that makes a difference in the quality of life for the coworkers, friends, and neighbors," Vitale concluded.

Other companies recognized for Outstanding Achievement at the 2007 Regional Commuter Choice Employer Recognition Awards included Brookhaven National Laboratory, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc., Eppendorf/Brinkmann, Honeywell International, Geico, Northport VA Medical Center, Auritt Communications Group, Design East, Inc., District Council 37, SUNY Downstate Medical Center and SUNY Rockland Community College.

"Investing in a more environmentally friendly commute to the workplace doesn't just make economic sense; it contributes to a better quality of life for employees, which profits everyone," Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator, said. "We hope this distinction encourages other companies to get on board. Better air quality due to less traffic congestion is an invaluable employee benefit."

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), an association of governments and transportation providers, serves as the metropolitan planning organization designated by the governor of the state of New York and certified by the federal government for New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley and can be contacted at 212-383-7251. To learn more about CommuterLink (NYC), call (886) 692- 6668 or visit www.commuterlink.com. For more information about Sunnyside Community Services' wide range of community enrichment programs for individuals aged 5 to 105, call 718-784-6173 or visit www.scsny.org.