Senate Resolution No. 2000

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Brooklyn Community Housing and Services
upon the occasion of hosting its Talented Brooklyn
Gala on May 10, 2017

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those organizations within our midst who have
made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Brooklyn
Community Housing and Services upon the occasion of hosting its Talented
Brooklyn Gala on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at 501 Union in Gowanus,
Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this auspicious event will feature the 9th
Annual Brooklyn Community Housing and Services Resident Art Show,
highlighting the borough's world-renown creativity and diversity; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, Brooklyn Community Housing and Services
(BCHS) is committed to ending homelessness in Brooklyn and empowering
all the residents of its home community of Fort Greene and the
surrounding neighborhoods through innovative and comprehensive social,
educational and job-training programs that enable residents to achieve
maximum independence; and

WHEREAS, Every year, BCHS provides clean and safe supportive housing
and services to more than 1,000 formerly homeless families and single
adults and helps them to learn how to live independently; and

WHEREAS, BCHS' programs provide short-term, transitional and
permanent housing, homelessness prevention, personalized case
management, mental health care, on-site nursing, vocational training,
substance abuse counselling, recreational activities and other vital
services; and

WHEREAS, For its steadfast and unremitting commitment to the
community, BCHS has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades
including the 1993 Fannie Mae Foundation Maxwell Award of Excellence,
and the 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award for the Model SRO Initiative
by the Corporation for Supportive Housing; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization was also the winner of the 1995
Chemical Bank Affordable Housing Competition and earned a perfect score
on its annual program evaluation by the New York City Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, BCHS was recognized by the New York City
Department of Homeless Services for placing 100% of "housing-ready"
homeless families into permanent housing in 2004, and once again in
2009, for placing 98% of its families; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the

recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Brooklyn Community Housing and Services upon the occasion of
hosting its Talented Brooklyn Gala on May 10, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Brooklyn Community Housing and Services.