LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring William R. Guarinello upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the 2012 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge
Community Council

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor William R.
Guarinello upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2012
Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council, to be celebrated at its
61st Annual Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at El Caribe Country
Club in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology from St. Francis College, a Master of Science degree in Coun-
seling Psychology from Nova Southeastern University and was awarded a
Certification of Completion in Financial Management from the Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello joined HeartShare Human Services of New
York, a non-profit human services agency, as a caseworker in 1970; he
was named Executive Director in 1985, and Executive Vice President in
1987; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello was named President and Chief Executive
Officer of HeartShare Human Services in 1993; and
WHEREAS, A skilled leader, William R. Guarinello has been able to
anticipate changes in the needs of the community, as well as issues that
may affect clients; this has been the key to HeartShare's success; and
WHEREAS, Under William R. Guarinello's luminous leadership,
HeartShare's goal of serving the vulnerable of all ages and backgrounds
has grown so that, today, it assists more than 25,000 at-risk New York-
ers annually at over 65 program locations throughout Brooklyn, Queens
and Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, To meet the changing social and human needs of the community,
William R. Guarinello has expanded or created programs and services
including: foster care and adoption; family preservation and unifica-
tion; Day services and Residential services for adults with develop-
mental disabilities; early childhood educational and therapeutic
services for children with developmental disabilities, including autism;
programs for school-age children and adults with autism and intellectual
disabilities; comprehensive health care clinics for children and adults
with developmental disabilities; residential and case management
services for individuals and their families affected by HIV/AIDS; and
after school and weekend programs for school-age youngsters and the
community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his role with HeartShare, William R. Guarinel-
lo is Chairman of Brooklyn Community Board 11; he is President of the
Fort Hamilton Citizens Action Committee that works to prevent the
closure of the Fort Hamilton Garrison; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello was Chairman of Brooklyn Remembers,
Inc., an organization that planned, built, and maintains a memorial to
Brooklyn's 9/11 victims, and also served as Chairman of Victory Memorial
Hospital; and

WHEREAS, He has served on the Boards of the Interagency Council of
Developmental Disabilities Agencies, the Boy Scouts of America, the
Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council and as president of the
Visitation Academy Fathers Club; and
WHEREAS, William R. Guarinello is the recipient of many honors and
awards from countless civic and professional organizations; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, William R. Guarinello has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Donna, their one
daughter and granddaughter, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which William R. Guarinello has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
honor William R. Guarinello upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2012 Civic Award by the Bay Ridge Community Council;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to William R. Guarinello.