LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Children's Village upon the occa-
sion of celebrating its 10th Anniversary Circle of Friends Annual Dinner

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Children's Village upon the occasion of celebrating its 10th Anni-
versary Circle of Friends Annual Dinner; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1851, the Children's Village is a charitable
institution whose mission is to work in partnership with families in
order to help society's most vulnerable children so that they become
educationally proficient, economically productive, and socially respon-
sible members of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Behind this mission lies three core beliefs: first, all chil-
dren and youth need connections to adults, preferably family members,
who believe in them and will remain connected throughout their lives;
second, education, appropriate social behavior, and job skills are
essential to functioning independently in society; and third, every
human being has strengths and the desire to make his or her life happy
and fulfilling; and
WHEREAS, With support and the tools to overcome obstacles, most chil-
dren can and will succeed in society; and
WHEREAS, The Children's Village is passionate about education and has
high expectations for its students; it assists youth to develop the
attitudes and skills needed to enter the workforce successfully and to
help many of them in beginning career-oriented employment; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Children's Village continues to operate a residen-
tial school on approximately 180 acres of the original site; at the same
time, it has greatly expanded its services to children and families
throughout the New York metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, Programs include an achievement-focused residential school
for children from six to 18 years of age, a shelter for immigrant youth,
a runaway and homeless shelter, adoption and foster boarding homes,
group homes, street outreach, a drop-in center for out-of-school youth,
and numerous programs that provide support to families struggling with
emotionally troubled youngsters; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees oversees the Children's Village and
currently serves more than 6,000 children and families in the New York
metropolitan area; it employs more than 600 staff along with three
related organizations that support its work; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the power of service to change lives, the
Children's Village is honoring MasterCard Worldwide with the Corporate
Award; in addition, Mark, Lisa, Cory and Rachel Scherzer are the distin-
guished recipients of the Legacy of Service Award; and
WHEREAS, MasterCard Worldwide has been involved with the Children's
Village for more than a decade, providing both financial support and
actively participating through employee volunteers; MasterCard's part-
nership and direct involvement with the Children's Village is only one
example of the company's commitment to investing in the future through
education and volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, Children's Village Trustee Mark Scherzer, his wife, Lisa, and
their children, Cory and Rachel, have been honored for their outstanding
dedication to the Children's Village; together, the Scherzer Family
supports the Children's Village with fundraisers, toy drives, and silent
auction items, to name a few; this special family exemplifies true

intergenerational philanthropy, and is worthy of this exceptional honor;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Children's Village upon the occasion of celebrating its 10th
Anniversary Circle of Friends Annual Dinner; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to MasterCard Worldwide, the Scherzer Family, and Jeremy C.
Kohomban, President and CEO of the Children's Village.