Senate Resolution No. 2238

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMENDING the Allen Community Senior Citizens
Center upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th
Anniversary on March 27, 2024

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging
outstanding organizations which distinguish themselves in serving the
community and its residents and warrant special recognition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center upon the occasion of
celebrating its 50th Anniversary at its Anniversary Gala on Saturday,
March 30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose purposeful
endeavors serve the cherished senior citizens in their communities and
preserve a facet of this Nation's glorious past for the edification of
future generations; and

WHEREAS, The Allen Community Senior Citizens Center is a
community-based agency in Southeast Queens, New York, which is funded by
the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA); it provides numerous
services to more than 1,000 senior citizens who are 60 years of age and
older; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center
is to programmatically serve the elderly in the community through the
provision of a variety of comprehensive services that meet the
nutritional, recreational, educational, and informational needs of
program participants in a caring and sensitive manner; and

WHEREAS, The late Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming, former Pastor
of Allen AME Church, founded the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center
to assist those isolated senior citizens by providing opportunities for
socialization; under the direction of the late Ms. Rose I. Jenkins, the
newly incorporated organization opened its doors on March 27, 1974; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jenkins and the Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake, the
subsequently appointed and current Pastor of Allen AME Church, now The
Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York, cooperatively expanded the
senior program to include educational, consumer, and nutritional
education services; additionally, a Senior Advisory Council was
established; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1982, due to the efforts of the Reverend Dr.
Flake, the Allen Senior Citizens Complex was acquired, and the Allen
Community Senior Citizens Center relocated to the premises; and


WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Allen Community Senior Citizens
Center has offered many new services, including health and fitness
programs, Tai Chi, cultural activities, coffee hour, and computer
learning sessions; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, individualized support and case assistance
are available, and nutritious hot lunches are provided daily; for the
seniors' enjoyment, day outings and overnight trips are periodically
planned; and

WHEREAS, In the course of the development of the Empire State, if
the aspects of shared concern and responsive endeavor combine in the
commitment to humanity and society, there have emerged among the
distinguished citizens of the State of New York certain organizations
which warrant special recognition; the Allen Community Senior Citizens
Center is such an organization; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center, upon the occasion of
celebrating its 50th Anniversary, and to honor its members, past and
present, who have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the
quality of life for the senior citizens of the community; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center.