LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reel Works Teen Filmmaking upon the
occasion of celebrating 10 years of dedicated service on behalf of the
youth of Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 programs
and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of young people and
their futures; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Reel Works Teen Filmmaking upon the occasion of celebrating 10 years of
dedicated service on behalf of the youth of Brooklyn, New York, to be
celebrated at its 10th Anniversary Gala Benefit; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 2001, Reel Works Teen Filmmaking is an incubator
program of the Fund for the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, Reel Works serves nearly 180 new and returning Brooklyn youth
annually recruited from 20 Brooklyn schools; and
WHEREAS, Many of the Reel Works' youth struggle in school, live in
difficult family and economic situations, and are at risk for substance
abuse, gang involvement or other high-risk behaviors; and
WHEREAS, Through the art of filmmaking, young people gain self-esteem,
master state-of-the-art technology and are transformed from passive
consumers to active creators of media; and
WHEREAS, Reel Works' curriculum is aligned with New York State Educa-
tional Standards and currently twelve school partners provide students
with class credit upon completing its Lab program; and
WHEREAS, Reel Works remains the only New York City youth media program
that combines one-on-one mentoring by professional filmmakers with a
project-based learning model of filmmaking; and
WHEREAS, Over seven million viewers have seen Reel Works films through
web casts and broadcasts including six films aired in primetime on tele-
vision on HBO Family, PBS and MSNBC; and
WHEREAS, Reel Works teens also produce a weekly television series for
NYC-Life (Channel 22/25), Reel Works With Byron Hurt which will begin
its third season in the fall of 2011; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Reel Works received a Coming Up Taller Award given
by the President's Council on the Humanities; the award is the nation's
top honor for after school arts and humanities programming; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when programs
of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention,
they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reel Works Teen Filmmaking upon the occasion of celebrating 10
years of dedicated service on behalf of the youth of Brooklyn, New York;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reel Works Teen Filmmaking.