Senate Resolution No. 2013

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMENDING Yonkers My Brother's Keeper upon the
occasion of being recognized as a National Impact
Community in the Obama Foundation's first MBK
Community Challenge Competition

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
enduring organizations which devote their purposeful energies to
improving the quality and dignity of life of those they serve, to
preserving their heritage, and to fostering cultural pride; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Yonkers My Brother's Keeper upon the occasion of being
recognized as a National Impact Community in the Obama Foundation's
first MBK Community Challenge Competition; and

WHEREAS, President Obama launched the My Brother's Keeper initiative
to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of
color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential;
and

WHEREAS, Through this initiative, the Administration is joining with
cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking important
steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the
skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way
into the middle class; and

WHEREAS, Since joining the national My Brother's Keeper (MBK)
movement in 2016, Yonkers MBK has been recognized as a leader by former
President Barack Obama, the Commissioner of the New York State Education
Department, and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement; and

WHEREAS, The collaboration among Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and
Yonkers MBK Co-Chairs Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools,
and Reverend Dr. Jim Bostic, Executive Director of Nepperhan Community
Center, has produced dynamic programs aimed at closing the opportunity
gaps facing boys and young men of color; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, Yonkers MBK's lead community organization won a
Community Impact Award from the Obama Foundation; the city-based
Nepperhan Community Center will receive grants and organizational
assistance to develop a program which will work with 250 young men of
color, in collaboration with the Yonkers Public Schools, City of Yonkers
and the local YMCA SNUG/Cure Violence program; and

WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, Yonkers My
Brother's Keeper has demonstrated the value of helping people reach
their fullest potential, while furthering the societal and economic
advancement of our Nation; and

WHEREAS, The success of Yonkers My Brother's Keeper is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its dedicated volunteers, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive

commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Yonkers My Brother's Keeper upon the occasion of being
recognized as a National Impact Community in the Obama Foundation's
first MBK Community Challenge Competition; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Yonkers Brother's Keeper.