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CABS Health Network hosted its annual
Circle of Care Awards (COCA) 2026
Fundraising Gala on October 14th at Park
Lane New York, celebrating the theme
“Care at the Center” and honoring
Cynthia Bailey as Caregiver of the Year.
CABS Health Network provides essential
home care and care management services
to residents across Brooklyn and the
greater New York City area. Th evening
raised critical funds for CABS Health
Network’s ongoing initiatives, including
home care, care coordination, disease
prevention, food access, community
outreach, and neighborhood partnerships.
International supermodel, actress,
entrepreneur, and television personality
Cynthia Bailey received the Caregiver of
the Year Award, presented by Sherly
Demosthenes-Atkinson, President & CEO of
CABS Health Network, recognizing her
dedication to uplifting others and her
personal journey as a primary caregiver
for her mother, Barbara Ford Morris. In
her heartfelt speech, Bailey emphasized
the importance of respecting her
mother’s independence, the emotional
toll of caregiving, the need to
prioritize one’s well-being and the
importance of compassionate care for
those without family support.
Bailey said, “Caregiving should not
depend only on having family close by.
Compassionate care is something we can
all offer: a phone call, a ride, a meal,
or simply sitting with someone for a
while. It means asking, ‘What do you
need?’ and taking the time to hear the
answer.”
The evening opened with remarks from
CABS Co-Founder & Chairman, William
Andrews, who spoke about the
organization’s history and its core
belief that compassionate care, strong
communities and meaningful partnerships
can transform lives. He emphasized the
importance of recognizing the
organization’s devoted home care
professionals and community partners in
attendance before introducing
Ms. Demosthenes-Atkinson.
Andrews said, “ More than fifty years
ago in a storefront office in front of
the Marcy Projects in Bedford-Stuyvesant
CABS was born. Neighborhood Block
Workers would walk the streets of
Bedford-Stuyvesant with the message you
can do better-learn to control your own
destiny, Welfare is not the answer for
you or your children. Now, more than
fifty years later CABS has developed a
Health Network under the leadership of
President and CEO Sherly
Demosthenes-Atkinson that would
exemplify what can be accomplished when
people serve, educate and inspire their
fellowman.”
Demosthenes-Atkinson then took the stage
and shared the moving story of longtime
client Inez Harvey and the compassionate
care she received. She was joined by
Harvey’s son, Gary Harvey, to present
the CABS Caregivers of the Year Awards
to three dedicated home caregivers:
Maribel Jones, Mireille Anelson, and
Anselma Trinidad, who played
instrumental roles in caring for his
mother. Bernedette Quick, who has
dedicated 28 years to caregiving, was
also honored with a CABS Caregiver
of the Year Award.
“Care is not simply a service we
provide. Care is a promise we make,”
said Demosthenes-Atkinson. “Tonight is a
celebration, but it is also a reminder
that our work is not finished. There are
still families struggling to access the
support they need. There are still older
adults facing isolation. And there are
still caregivers carrying extraordinary
responsibilities without the recognition
and resources they deserve. But I stand
before you tonight with tremendous hope.
Because I know what is possible when
compassion meets commitment. When
leadership meets purpose. And when
organizations, businesses, government,
and communities come together, not
simply to talk about change, but to
create it.”
New York City Council Member Chris Banks
then took the stage to present the
Community Innovator Award to fellow
Council Member the Honorable Mercedes
Narcisse, recognizing her leadership and
dedication to advancing healthcare
access and strengthening communities
across NYC.
In her acceptance remarks, Narcisse
reflected on her lifelong dedication to
healthcare as a registered nurse and
emphasized the importance of recognizing
frontline workers, volunteers and
community leaders who make a meaningful
difference in New Yorkers’ lives every
day.
Midway through the gala, Jamilah Rose
made a special announcement, stating
that CABS had been selected as a
recipient of a $660,000 New York State
technical assistance grant. As the lead
coalition partner, the organization will
provide technical assistance focused on
grant resource development, financial
infrastructure, and organizational
compliance, helping nonprofits build
stronger, more sustainable organizations
and expand their community impact.
Jobed LaPointe, who has more than 17
years in managed care, government
relations and business development,
received the Community Partner Award.
Joined by his son Gabriel, LaPointe
delivered a powerful message encouraging
those who devote their lives to helping
others to also prioritize their own
well-being.
“When you’re caring for everyone else,
who is caring for you? The work we do
asks a lot of us, emotionally and
physically. You deserve the kindness you
give so freely to others,” said Jobed
and Gabriel LaPointe.
Rosa M. Pelton-Alcantara, Executive
Director of SOMOS Community Care,
received the Community Leadership &
Advocacy Award. Pelton-Alcantara has
spent more than 15 years advocating for
Latino and underserved communities.
During her acceptance speech, she spoke
on the importance of empowering
communities through education,
leadership development and access to
opportunities.
“CABS understands that caring for a
community means seeing the whole person.
It means understanding that health and
well-being are connected to access,
dignity, support, and opportunity. Those
values resonate deeply with the work I
have been fortunate enough to do
throughout my journey” said
Pelton-Alcantara.
The evening also featured silent and
live auctions led by auctioneer Howie
Schwartz of GMS Charity Auctions, with
guests bidding on exclusive experiences,
including a New York Knicks package, a
VIP New York Yankees experience, luxury
getaways to Costa Rica and Tuscany, and
a safari adventure in South Africa.
The gala concluded with remarks from Dr.
Christopher Hickey,
CABS Director of Integrated Operations, who invited the CABS team onstage
to acknowledge their contributions to
the organization and the evening’s
success.
“Without collaborations such as all of
you, we would not have been gifted the
divine opportunity to serve the
community for over 50 years,”
said Dr. Hickey.
Proceeds from COCA 2026 supported CABS
Health Network's community health
programs throughout New York City,
helping expand access to essential
services and resources for underserved
populations.
COCA 2026 was generously sponsored by
Anchor Group, AT&T, Brooklyn Org,
CenterLight Healthcare PACE, HHAeXchange,
Hofstra University, Integrated Rehab and
Physical Therapy P.C., LAMB Insurance
Services, MetroPlusHealth, NY Best
Medical, Peapack Private Bank & Trust,
Popular, Public Health Solutions, and
RemoteFocus.
About CABS Health Network
CABS Health Network is a community-based
healthcare organization dedicated to
expanding access to care, closing gaps
in health and social services, and
strengthening care coordination across
Brooklyn and New York City. Through home
care services, preventive health
programs, nutritional support, and
neighborhood outreach, CABS works to
build healthier, more resilient
communities.
https://cabshealthnetwork.org
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