Senate Resolution No. 2699

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING You Gotta Believe upon the occasion of
hosting its 25th Anniversary Concert on February 6,
2020

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend You Gotta Believe upon the occasion of hosting its 25th
Anniversary Concert "Voices for the Voiceless: Stars for Foster Kids" on
Thursday, February 6, 2020, at the Town Hall in New York, New York; and

WHEREAS, This musical benefit features Broadway stars and performers
who have come together to celebrate the power of love and family; and

WHEREAS, You Gotta Believe (YGB) is a foster care agency whose
mission is to find permanent families for kids in the foster care
system; it is the only organization in the New York City Metro area
which limits its practice to finding permanent parents and families for
young adults, teens, and pre-teens in the foster care system; and

WHEREAS, YGB is uniquely positioned to connect kids with families
since 100% of its program staff is made up of people who adopted older
kids from foster care or were in foster care; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Executive Director Mary T.
Keane and her dedicated staff, YGB diligently searches for a parent
within the child's network, matches them with the right parent, trains
the family to parent a traumatized child, and provides crucial long-term
after placement support, ensuring the connection is permanent; and

WHEREAS, Through the outstanding efforts of many, YGB proudly boasts
an 80% success rate connecting older kids, considered the most difficult
to place, to permanent, loving families; and

WHEREAS, Today, YGB continues to tirelessly work toward the day when
no young person leaves foster care without the unconditional lifetime
commitment of a family; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and 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 You Gotta Believe upon the occasion of hosting its 25th
Anniversary Concert on February 6, 2020; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mary T. Keane, Executive Director, You Gotta Believe.