Annual Courage Awards

Tracy Silna Zur has served twelve years as a Bergen County Commissioner. A lifelong Bergen County resident, she holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, a law degree from Fordham University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers University. She and her husband, Bobby, have three children: Coby, Kayla, and Logan. Tracy received the Distinguished Alumni Practitioner Award from Rutgers in 2020 and the Maurice Fitzgibbons County Commissioner of the Year Award from the New Jersey Association of Counties in 2024.

As a Commissioner, Tracy Zur spearheaded the Bergen County Food Security Task Force, now the Office of Food Security, which has been recognized as a gold standard in New Jersey and by the National Association of Counties.

Tracy is a dedicated advocate for adults with special needs, spearheading Project SEARCH, which has achieved over a 90% placement rate over the past six years. She is also a strong supporter of mental health and addiction services, piloting Teen Mental Health First Aid Training, forming the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, and establishing the LGBTQ+ Youth Summit. She championed the countywide ban on styrofoam, launched styrofoam densification, and helped kickstart the County Energy Action Plan.

Germaine M. Ortiz was first elected to the Bergen County Board of Commissioners in 2016 and, in 2019, made history as the first Latina Chairwoman. That same year marked the first time in the Board’s 304-year history that it was led entirely by individuals. She returned as Chairwoman in 2024.

A first-generation American born to Colombian parents, Commissioner Ortiz earned dual degrees in Spanish and Communications from Seton Hall University and built a successful 20-year career on Wall Street, ultimately serving as Vice President at Dinsmore Capital Management.

Her public service began in Palisades Park on the Board of Education and later on the City Council. She went on to serve as a Bergen County Utilities Authority Commissioner, a Trustee at Bergen Community College for 12 years, and Chairwoman of the County’s Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census, which achieved the most successful count in two decades.

Now living in Emerson with her husband and two daughters, Commissioner Ortiz continues to champion a “people-first” approach, ensuring residents’ investments are maximized for the benefit of the entire Bergen County community.

At this year’s Courage Awards Gala, we are proud to highlight and honor Care Plus Workforce Solutions for 30 years of compassion and service excellence.

Care Plus Workforce Solutions has been dedicated to supporting individuals on their paths to stability, opportunity, and success, making a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve and the communities they strengthen.

Join us as we celebrate this remarkable milestone and recognize the commitment, heart, and dedication behind 30 years of meaningful service.

The Courage Awards Gala and your support ensure that Care Plus NJ can continue to offer high-quality, integrated care creating healthy bodies and healthy minds that individualforms lives. From providing scholarships to supporting housing and medication needs, every donation makes a significant impact. Your generosity helps individuals not only survive but thrive, reaching their full potential through education and comprehensive care.

Join us every year at the Care Plus NJ’s foundation Annual Gala to celebrate the courage of our honorees, support our mission, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can create a community where everyone has the opportunity to heal, grow, and succeed.

If you or your family need the services from our organization, please contact our admissions department.