Senate Resolution No. 1750

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMENDING the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle,
New York, upon the occasion of celebrating its 95th
Anniversary on April 12, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
youth of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle upon the occasion of
celebrating its 95th Anniversary to be celebrated at its Anniversary
Gala at the Remington Clubhouse on Friday, April 12, 2024; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1929, the Boys & Girls Club (called Boys'
Club originally) was established by the community of New Rochelle, New
York, with the purpose of aiding the children of the families that were
devastated by the Stock Market Crash and subsequent Great Depression;
and

WHEREAS, During this tumultuous part of our history, many of the
country's youth had little food to eat or clothing to wear, and numerous
children were forced to abandon their education and obtain jobs, which
were not always available, to assist in providing necessities for their
households; and

WHEREAS, The New Rochelle community acknowledged its obligation to
the future generations of this State and Nation and decided to provide a
resource that would accommodate the requirements to produce well-rounded
and successful citizens; and

WHEREAS, The statement, "To enable all young people, especially
those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive,
caring, responsible citizens," became the mission of the Boys & Girls
Club of New Rochelle; over time, this undertaking has aided thousands of
youths from all races and creeds and produced successful and
community-minded adults; and

WHEREAS, The original meeting place of the Boys & Girls Club was the
old Washington School building; through the years, this youth-centered
organization's transformation has continually progressed to meet the
needs of not only the children but also the entire community; as the
demands of the populace increased, the organization expanded; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1940s, the South Side Unit was opened in the
basement of the old Jefferson School; in 1953, due to the dedication and
fundraising of the Remington Women's Auxiliary Club and the Remington
Advisory Board, a portion of the existing facility was built; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, the Charles Hayden Foundation and the City of New
Rochelle granted the funding that afforded the Women's Auxiliary Club,

along with other community members, the plausibility of adding a
gymnasium, game room, showers, locker room, and office was realized; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, the South Side Unit moved to a new building; the
Respect Extension was opened at the MacLeay Apartment Complex, which was
owned by the New Rochelle Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation, in
2001; and

WHEREAS, Three years later, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle
expanded further to meet the changing needs of the youth by partnering
with the Board of Education, providing after-school programs as part of
the 21st Century Program, a federally funded grant under the No Child
Left Behind initiative, at the Isaac E. Young Middle School; in 2006,
the South Side Unit unified with the A. E. Mascaro Unit; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, in partnership with Iona College, the New Rochelle
School District, and other organizations in the community, a new program
for youth, Readiness thru Integrated Service Engagement (RISE), was
established to accommodate the needs of middle school children; the
following year, this alliance with the school district instituted the
Safe Schools grant, which provides programs for teens, and the SHAPE
grant, which focuses on fitness, broadening the outreach of services to
the younger generation; and

WHEREAS, In September of 2008, the Boys & Girls Club opened its
first school-based site at Trinity Elementary School, followed by an
after-school program at Ward Elementary School; January of 2013 ushered
in a new affiliation between the Boys & Girls Club and New Rochelle High
School, launching an after-school program for teens; and

WHEREAS, The Boys & Girls Club has provided opportunities for
leadership development, community outreach, and overall personal
development for their young people; many members have become volunteers
and served on the Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its members, 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 Board of Directors, the Remington Men's
Club, Remington Women's Auxiliary Club, staff members, and volunteers,
serving approximately 1,200 members per year; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, New York, upon the
occasion of celebrating its 95th Anniversary, and to honor its members,
past and present, who have labored so conscientiously to secure and
improve the quality of life for the youth of the community; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Boys & Girls Club.