LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Carolyn A. Portanova upon the occasion
of her retirement after 37 years of distinguished service to the Cathol-
ic Family Center

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Carolyn A. Portanova upon the occasion of her retirement after 37 years
of distinguished service to the Catholic Family Center, to be celebrated
on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at the Genesee Valley Club in Rochester,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn A. Portanova received a Bachelor of Science degree in
1967 from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters in Education and
Certificate of Advanced Study in Counseling from the University of
Rochester in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn A. Portanova also completed the Executive Program for
Non Profits at the Center for Management Training at the Rochester
Institute of Technology and went on to supervise outpatient drug coun-
seling from 1974-1983; and
WHEREAS, For the past 37 years, Carolyn A. Portanova rendered faith-
ful, conscientious and valuable service to the Catholic Family Center, a
comprehensive human service agency providing services in the areas of:
Children, Youth and Family; Chemical Dependency; Aging and Adult; Home-
less and Housing; Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Programs;
Refugee, Immigration and Employment, and Public Policy and Advocacy; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn A. Portanova served as Director of Catholic Family
Center's Restart Substance Abuse Department from 1983-1989, where she
developed a nationally recognized residential substance abuse treatment
model for women and their children as well as an intensive outpatient
services and Employee Assistance Programs with major businesses and
industries in the Rochester area; and
WHEREAS, For the past 22 years, as the President and CEO of the
Catholic Family Center, Carolyn A. Portanova has served with loyalty,
honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, In this role, Carolyn A. Portanova has overseen the growth of
the Catholic Family Center from 1989 to its current position as the
largest multi-service organization in the County; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure, Carolyn A. Portanova was instrumental in
Catholic Family Center's acquisition of Family Service of Rochester's
programs and services, a major budget increase, 50 staff and services
for an additional 10,000 people annually; this acquisition ensured the
continuation of vital services to vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her role at Catholic Family Center, Carolyn A.
Portanova has provided leadership on a number of community boards and
committees as well as served on state and national boards; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn A. Portanova has been recognized in the community,
through numerous awards and accolades, for her innovative models of
collaboration and partnership with other human service agencies, the
ecumenical community, the City of Rochester and the County of Monroe;
and
WHEREAS, In her official acts, Carolyn A. Portanova was governed by a
keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems;
she has truly earned the admiration, esteem and affection of her
colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Carolyn A. Portanova upon the occasion of her retirement after 37
years of distinguished service to the Catholic Family Center; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Carolyn A. Portanova.