LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Sanctuary
for Families in New York, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those organizations within the State of New York that have
made a substantial impact on the needs of domestic violence victims; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate
the 25th Anniversary of Sanctuary for Families; and
WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1983 and fully launched in 1985 to provide
comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and their chil-
dren, Sanctuary for Families is now the largest not-for-profit in New
York State dedicated exclusively to serving domestic violence and sex
trafficking victims and their children; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuary for Families provides services to over 10,000
domestic violence survivors annually helping them build safe lives by
offering a range of high quality services to meet their complex needs;
and
WHEREAS, Sanctuary for Families provides such services to hundreds of
women and children each year in nine locations throughout New York City,
including five confidential shelters and offices in Brooklyn, Queens,
Bronx and Manhattan, staffed by 150 individuals assisted by approximate-
ly 2,000 volunteers; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuary for Families has demonstrated its ongoing commit-
ment to serving victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking and
their children in multiple languages through post-shelter support
services, counseling and support groups, legal advice and representation
in family, matrimonial, custody, orders of protection and immigration
law, case management, help securing housing, public benefits, training,
education and jobs, plus emergency assistance to prevent eviction or
utilities shut-off and to subsidize tuition and child care expenses; and
WHEREAS, Their mentoring and outreach programs provide opportunities
for survivors who wish to help other victims of abuse resulting in
trained Mentors who speak at many public events each year; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuary for Families connects its education and awareness-
building initiatives with concerned community members including local
leaders, social service and legal professionals, law enforcement offi-
cials and potential victims; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuary for Families provides extensive training and tech-
nical assistance to legal, social service, immigrant community, govern-
ment, law enforcement, and other agencies working with domestic violence
survivors and children; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuary for families works diligently with elected offi-
cials to improve laws and public policies for domestic violence and sex
trafficking victims; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this opportu-
nity to salute Sanctuary for Families for its long history of demon-
strated commitment to serving domestic violence victims, sex trafficking
victims, and their children, and to wish this worthy organization
continued success in future years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the importance of the services Sanctuary for Families provides
New York's citizens, fully confident that it will continue to do so with
the success which has so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sanctuary for Families.