LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Roni DeKoning upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Clubhouse of Suffolk on April
17, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts
of those organizations which provide vital mental health services to
individuals and their families, and in doing so, enhance the health and
welfare of the entire State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Roni DeKoning has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Roni
DeKoning upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by
the Clubhouse of Suffolk to be celebrated at its 20th Anniversary Gala
at Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook, New York on Sunday, April 17, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Clubhouse of Suffolk's mission is to assist people who
are affected by mental illness to lead healthy, productive, addiction-
free, and socially satisfying lives; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Roni DeKoning completed her graduate work with
distinction in Rehabilitation Counseling at Hofstra University; for the
past 18 years, she has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at
Suffolk County Community College in the Health Careers Department where
she inspires and guides training health care professionals for their
future practice; and
WHEREAS, A licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Rehabili-
tation Counselor by training, Roni DeKoning has over 20 years of profes-
sional experience in behavioral healthcare; she came to the Clubhouse of
Suffolk in 1992, following several years as Recreation
Specialist/Aquatics Specialist at Kings Park State Psychiatric Center;
and
WHEREAS, Roni DeKoning was promoted to the esteemed position of Asso-
ciate Director of the Clubhouse of Suffolk in 2006; as a member of its
Senior Management team, she assumes a leadership role in designing
services to respond to the wide diversity of the needs of its members;
and
WHEREAS, Roni DeKoning has helped design special needs services to
younger adults, seniors, people with co-occurring substance abuse disor-
ders, and people with trauma backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, Also responsible for oversight and quality improvement in the
agency, Roni DeKoning has spoken at several conferences and meetings of
senior agency and government personnel regarding key concepts in facili-
tating a recovery-centered program; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Roni DeKoning has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations which bring greater awareness
to mental health issues, and assist people with mental illnesses in
their quest for dignity and independence, are a great benefit to the
health and welfare of all citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Roni DeKoning upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Clubhouse of Suffolk on April 17, 2011; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Roni DeKoning.