LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Volun-
teer Center of United Way on April 24, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 60th Anniversary of The Volunteer Center of United Way on
Saturday, April 24, 2010; and
WHEREAS, United Way's mission is to advance the common good; every-
thing United Way does leads to providing opportunities for quality
education, income that can sustain a family and good health -- the
building blocks to a better life; and
WHEREAS, The nonprofit organizations in Westchester and Putnam are in
need of thousands of new volunteers every year to accomplish their work
and achieve their missions; at the same time there are people of all
ages who want to get involved but don't know how; and
WHEREAS, The Volunteer Center of United Way serves as a central place
for volunteers to get matched with local organizations every day; it is
also where nonprofits and businesses come for training and support in
creating effective volunteer programs; and
WHEREAS, The Volunteer Center of United Way works with over 500
nonprofits in the community and referred over 15,000 people to service
in Westchester and Putnam Counties last year; in addition, it works
collaboratively with many community partners to create innovative strat-
egies to solve community issues; and
WHEREAS, This illustrious organization was founded in 1949 when a
small group of committed volunteers established the Volunteer Service
Bureau, Inc. (VSB) at the recommendation of the Westchester Council of
Social Agencies; at this time the VSB received donated office space and
a borrowed desk and phone; and
WHEREAS, By February 1950, the first Executive Director, Mrs. Glen
Hudson, interviewed and referred the first of thousands of volunteers
who would come through The Volunteer Center's doors; and
WHEREAS, In 1954, Operation Steppingstone was founded to help people
recovering from mental health issues transition into work; this program
was upgraded with a partnership with Westchester Department of Mental
Health in the 1990s with an additional program called Volunteer Intern-
ship Program; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, VSB became one of the first agencies to run a SERVE
program, the forerunner of RSVP when it was launched as a pilot
nationally; by 1970, Westchester SERVE volunteers (age 60+) gave over
4,000 hours to two local hospitals; and
WHEREAS, RSVP was launched nationally in 1970, and VSB became the
sponsor to RSVP of Westchester in 1972; also in 1970, VSB started to
focus on youth with a summer program; today, almost 25% of The Volunteer
Center referrals are for youth; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, VSB became a part of a national network of volunteer
centers called National Center for Voluntary Action and changed its
focus from just matching volunteers to actively seeking out strategies
to solve community issues; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, VSB and The United Way of Westchester and Putnam
entered into an agreement to foster greater volunteerism and VSB
expanded its service area to include Putnam County; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, VSB became The Volunteer Center of United Way and
the First Leadership Westchester class graduated in 1995; and
WHEREAS, The 2000s proved to be some of the greatest years for The
Volunteer Center, with expanded programs to youth, seniors, corpo-
rations, and nonprofits; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, The Volunteer Center of United Way expanded volun-
teer matching through the internet; furthermore, a partnership with the
Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation increased volunteering in Yonkers for
people 55 and older; in 2005, a partnership with New York Life quadru-
pled the number of youth receiving volunteer referrals; and in 2007, it
launched the Corporate Programs division; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by The Volunteer Center of United Way is
in direct correlation to the efforts of the many volunteers who have
supported the development of the Center over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable is The Volunteer Center of United Way's
superbly-skilled staff, whose involvement is, and has always been char-
acterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an
uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on behalf
of the Center and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize The Volunteer Center of United Way, for its unwavering commit-
ment to the citizens of New York, as it provides an uncompromising stan-
dard of excellence in the delivery of superlative community service; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of The Volunteer Center of United Way
on April 24, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Board of Directors of The Volunteer Center of United Way;
the Board of Directors of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam; and
the Board of Directors of the United Way of New York State.