Honorees: Long Island Center for Independent Living and Martha Romero

Organization of the Year: Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL)

Community Legal Advocates of NY is excited to honor Long Island Center for Independent Living as our Organization of the Year. The Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc. (LICIL) is a not-for-profit, non-residential advocacy center controlled by and serving persons with disabilities. Since its opening in 1980, LICIL has worked with thousands of Long Islanders with disabilities and their families and has also been a unique resource for other professionals who provide disability related services. The Center’s mission is to promote empowerment through education, information and rallying behind issues that directly impact the daily lives of persons with disabilities. LICIL effectively serves people of all ages and across all disability experiences, whether lifelong or acquired. CLA has had the pleasure of partnering with LICIL and their Hispanic Outreach Services team to coordinate and present at many community outreach events over the past year.  CLA honors our partner, LICIL, as our 2020 Organization of the Year for their commitment and dedication to improving the lives of our client populations. 

Advocate of the Year: Martha Romero

Martha Romero was born in Managua, Nicaragua. She graduated from Teresiano High School and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Communication from Centro America University in 1983. Two years later, due to political instability in her native country, Martha and her younger brother, emigrated to the United States, settling with relatives in New York City.  In 1987, she obtained her first professional experience as a Case Manager, working with the youth in a nonprofit agency in Manhattan.  For the past 32 years, Martha had worked as a Case Manager in several social services programs.  During her tenure, she has worked with a variety of populations, including youth, new immigrants, high school dropouts, ex-offenders and seniors.  She was also a GED Test Examiner for eight years.  Since 2016, Martha has been employed by Catholic Charities in its Senior Case Management Program, providing Case Manager Services to seniors in Nassau County.  For the past three years she has also worked as a part-time Case Manager for Hempstead School District’s Adult & Community Education Program.  Martha enjoys advocating for her clients and helping them make social, educational and healthcare connections that enrich their lives. Martha, and her husband Rene, are parents of two sons and have two grandchildren.