This month, we pause to honor the memory of Velda Murad, our former Associate Executive Director, who passed away this June. Velda contributed four decades of extraordinary service to the Carter Burden Network and the older adults we serve.
Velda joined Carter Burden Network in 1988 and rose through positions of increasing responsibility, serving until 2023 as Associate Executive Director. Over the course of her remarkable career, she provided visionary leadership across our social service programs: overseeing case management, caregiver support, elder abuse intervention, adult day services, homebound services, and many other vital community initiatives.
Velda was a passionate advocate for older adults and vulnerable populations, playing a pivotal role in developing innovative programs, securing government funding and grants, managing major contracts, and helping expand services that have benefited thousands in our community. Just as importantly, she was deeply committed to mentoring others, supervising and inspiring generations of social workers, MSW interns, and staff, and always encouraging professional growth, collaboration, and excellence in service. She also served as an adjunct professor at NYU School of Social Work, having earned her MSW from SUNY Albany.
Rochelle Friedlich worked alongside Velda for 12 years, with Velda as her supervisor. Reflecting on their years together, Rochelle shared:
"I can't say enough about [Velda]. She was an amazing person, dedicated... she was very understated, but she gave so much of her time and her energy and her love and her work, always looking for ways to support clients."
"She was kind and patient and a gentle person with a soft voice and a wicked sense of humor. So funny... just funny and sharp and smart."
"I felt incredibly supported working with her, working for her. I felt that she always had my back, and I felt like she gave so much more than she got back. Endlessly giving."
"I feel I've learned so much from her too. I feel really lucky and enriched to have worked with her for all those years."
One of the clearest expressions of Velda's generosity was a program she created and championed for years: the Wishlist Fund.
The fund allows frontline workers to request small but meaningful items for clients in need. A worker submits a brief application explaining how the item would improve a client's life, along with an overview of their financial circumstances.
Over the years, the Wishlist Fund provided things many of us take for granted: new sheets, clothing, a microwave, a set of dishes for a client whose belongings were destroyed in a fire. Small gifts but ones that made a real and lasting difference in the lives of the older adults we serve.
Now, in her memory, we are proud to announce that we are renaming the Wishlist Fund to the Velda Murad Wishlist, carrying forward the program, so that Velda’s legacy of generosity can continue to touch the lives of those we serve for years to come.
Velda Murad's impact on Carter Burden Network — and on the thousands of older adults and families she touched — cannot be overstated. Her leadership shaped our programs. Her mentorship shaped our staff. And her compassion shaped the very culture of how we care for our community.
As we rename the Wishlist Fund in her memory, we invite you to be part of continuing her legacy.