Brooklyn Caretakers Earn John DeCarlo Award for Exemplary Service

Two Brooklyn Caretakers have been honored as the winners of this year’s John DeCarlo Memorial Award in recognition of their exemplary service to the NYCHA community. 

Lionel Riley has not hesitated to go beyond his daily duties as a Caretaker to assist residents in need at Sumner Houses.  

Fellow Brooklyn Caretaker Dillworth Brooks, a retired U.S. Army veteran, has continued his career of dedicated service by helping to ensure a safe, clean living environment for residents at Glenwood Houses.   

Named after a longtime NYCHA Caretaker who lost his life while on duty at Brooklyn’s Marlboro Houses in 1997, the John DeCarlo Memorial Award is presented each year to two exemplary Caretakers.  

At a July 24 celebratory luncheon attended by Sumner Houses staff and NYCHA executives, including Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt and Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble, Mr. Riley received the 2025 grand prize award. Mr. Brooks was presented the runner-up prize during a celebratory lunch with Glenwood Houses colleagues and executives on July 28. 

“For more than a quarter of a century, we have been recognizing the exemplary work of Caretakers across the Authority, across the city, who are making a real difference in the lives of the NYCHA residents we serve,” Ms. Bova-Hiatt said. “Caretakers truly are the heart and soul of our organization, serving on the front lines each and every day in a way that so tangibly impacts residents.” 

Soon after joining the NYCHA team in May 2018, Mr. Riley started his full-time job as a Caretaker G at Sumner Houses, which is home to more than 2,000 residents. Less than two years later, he was promoted to Caretaker X.  

Brooklyn Neighborhood Administrator Karen Moye said Mr. Riley exudes positive energy while performing his work, is ready to lend a helping hand to residents, and will go the extra mile to get the job done. She highlighted one notable instance in which he helped carry an elderly resident in a wheelchair down four flights of stairs to ensure she could move to a new apartment. 

“When the resident got downstairs, she had tears of joy as she was so grateful,” Ms. Moye described. “He knew this had to be done.”  

In addition to his commendable service as a Caretaker, Mr. Riley also volunteers as a Safety Associate at the development, helping to identify and report on unsafe conditions that could affect employees and residents. Mr. Riley can truly be counted on to step up wherever needed for the Sumner Houses community. 

Mr. Brooks has worked as a Caretaker G at Glenwood Houses since first joining the NYCHA team in May 2017. Whether by helping an elderly resident retrieve a missing item or making sure to remove any bulk items from the buildings, Mr. Brooks has offered a friendly face for residents while maintaining a safe environment across the campus.  

“Mr. Brooks always greets the residents and is always willing to assist the residents of Glenwood Houses,” noted Jerry Burk, Supervisor of Caretakers at the Brooklyn development, where more than 2,250 residents live.  

Mr. Burk praised his impressive work ethic and pointed to a particular incident when the highly devoted Caretaker helped clear a walkway of a large tree that fell during a major storm. 

“His hard work and dedication is one of the main reasons that the grounds are always getting compliments from anyone who visits Glenwood Houses,” the supervisor said. “He is more than deserving of this commendation.” 

Featured photo caption: Grand-prize winner Lionel Riley received this year’s John DeCarlo Memorial Award at Sumner Houses.