LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the First Israel African Methodist
Episcopal Church upon the occasion of its Open House and Dedication
Weekend Celebration of God With Us The Center

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commending the First
Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church upon the occasion of its Open
House and Dedication Weekend Celebration of God With Us (GWU) The
Center, to be held March 16-17, 2013, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, First Israel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of
Albany, New York, officially recognized as the oldest Black Church in
Upstate New York, has been deeply committed to meeting the needs of its
congregants and community since its founding in 1828; and
WHEREAS, Israel Community Service Program, Inc. (ICSP), a nonprofit
corporation founded in 1987 by First Israel AME, acquired the former
YMCA facility at 274 Washington Avenue in 2010 to enhance its ability to
deliver services to the community; and
WHEREAS, Renamed GWU The Center, the 71,000 square foot facility
includes two gymnasiums, furnished meeting space, an indoor track and
office space; it is also the home of several programs that enhance the
ICSP mission; and
WHEREAS, Through bold programming, collaboration, and partnerships
with other groups, GWU The Center is a comprehensive community resource,
designed to help strengthen and rebuild the surrounding communities in
the face of myriad social, educational, and economic challenges; and
WHEREAS, Since opening GWU The Center in June of 2010, Israel Communi-
ty Service Program can proudly boast several collaborative initiatives
with its partners, such as: AME Women's Missionary Society Emergency
Care Center, an emergency disaster resource center; Career Pathways, a
job training and placement program; The Israel Children's Place Summer
Camp for low-income and homeless youth; Gang Violence Prevention initi-
atives in partnership with the Albany City Police Department; and the
College Prep Program for high school youth and adults; and
WHEREAS, GWU The Center also provides a convenient, safe space for a
variety of community groups to meet and offer programming; the impres-
sive list includes Capital District YMCA Black and Latino Achievers, the
NAACP, Capital District Keys for Kids, the Albany Citizens Police Review
Board, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and AAU Basketball and Sports Leag-
ues; and
WHEREAS, A most jubilant event, the Open House and Dedication Weekend
will feature The Open House Showcase which includes building tours, a
musical presentation, youth demonstrations, and information tabling,
while on Sunday First Israel AME Church will hold a First Walk of Faith
and Dedication Service for the new building; and
WHEREAS, Looking ahead, the Boards of Directors of both First Israel
AME Church and the ICSP are engaged in ambitious planning for an even
more robust GWU The Center, one that offers a child care center, housing
units, an education partnership with the Albany City School District,
and a Morning Coffee Cafe; and
WHEREAS, First Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming

decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its
past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the First Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church upon the
occasion of its Open House and Dedication Weekend Celebration of God
With Us The Center, to be observed March 16-17, 2013, fully confident
that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which
enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to First Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Albany, New
York.