A Message From Your President
I am extremely pleased to welcome the two newest staff members to NASW-NYS: Evelyn Williams as Policy Coordinator, and Craig Moncho as Policy Assistant. Our new advocacy/lobbying team represents decades of successful social work practice and advocacy on both the macro and micro level. They bring unparalleled understanding of both the professional challenges facing members and the needs of those we serve. I am deeply appreciative of the efforts of our Executive Director, Sam Fletcher, to create a team that represents us and our values so well, and look forward to hearing of many successes. Please see Evelyn’s and Craig’s bios below and join me in welcoming them to the Chapter office.
Marcia Schwartzman Levy, LCSW-R
President, NASW-NYS
Evelyn Williams, MSW
Policy Coordinator
Evelyn G. Williams has over 30 years of progressive experience in health care administration, consulting, legislative advocacy, and teaching at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. Her primary professional direction was in community health care assisting in opening three community health centers (CHC) and providing technical assistance to CHC’s in the federal Region II locations. She also held several administrative positions in the NYS Department of Health. In 1999, after completing eleven years as the President/CEO of Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center, Evelyn chose to pursue her consulting career, working with community-based organizations in the areas of program development, strategic management, and leadership.
Her consultant endeavors include providing consultant services to state and federal agencies, community-based organizations, and social/cultural groups. She assisted organizations in opening health care programs, developing short and long-term strategic plans, writing grants, conducting organizational performance evaluations, designing fundraising projects, facilitating governing board retreats, and planning and implementing statewide and national conferences and professional meetings.
Concurrent with the progressive experience in health care, Ms. Williams has had varied teaching positions since 1979. Completing her tenure in FORUM and the Center of International Programs within Empire State College, she is currently a lecturer within the School of Social Welfare, University at Albany.
Ms. Williams’ leadership skills are represented through serving on several statewide and regional professional organizations’ governing boards, as well as her role as legislative chair and chairperson of the community health care statewide association.
Ms. Williams, in addition to the above, is a certified yoga & Shake Your Soul/Dancekinetics instructor and a proud grandmother.
Craig Moncho, LMSW
Policy Assistant
Craig Moncho has years of experience leading not-for-profit organizations that serve highly at-risk individuals, couples, and families living in extreme poverty. Among them were those living with severe mental illness, substance use and abuse disorders and the dually-diagnosed; individuals living on the street; victims of domestic violence; the formerly incarcerated and individuals with criminal justice system exposure and their families; disabled individuals; homeless families with children, sheltered adult couples and single adults; and, the aged.
These experiences have provided Craig with a deep understanding of the nature and depth of the struggles confronted by our neighbors, as well as the strengths and limitations of the systems that seek to help them regain health, stability, and happier lives. As a complement to years of direct service, Craig has worked as an Adjunct Instructor in the BSW program at Mercy College and MSW program at Fordham University.
Craig has been an active NASW-NYS Chapter member and served until his hiring on the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to work on a team of dedicated advocates in crafting legislative remedies that will complement the day-in-and-day-out “boots on the ground” work being done by so many impassioned social workers in our state and the teams of caring people they work with on behalf of those in need.
Craig is “the dad” in a blended family of six and enjoys walking and sharing stories. He is currently working on an original play following the struggles of three families in shelter in New York City as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
