LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 13th Anniversary of the Neigh-
borhood Technical Assistance Clinic to be celebrated at its 3rd Annual
Gala on June 30, 2010

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 organiza-
tions 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 commem-
orate the 13th Anniversary of the Neighborhood Technical Assistance
Clinic to be celebrated at its 3rd Annual Gala "A Salute to New York
City's Nonprofits and the Neighborhoods They Serve: Promoting Wellness
and Healthy Neighborhoods" on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at Steiner
Studios, Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic's 2010 Neighbor-
hood Investors honorees are: Lisa Anderson, Associate Director of
Educational Programs and Director of Auburn's Women's Multifaith
Program, Auburn Theological Seminary; Elkhair Balla, Managing Partner,
Citiology.com; Michael Flanigan, Development Manager for External
Relations, Medgar Evers College; Angela B. Hollis, President, Hollis
Group; Rev. Dr. Barbara Austin Lucas, President/Founder, Women Organiz-
ing, Mobilizing, and Building, Inc. (WOMB); Doris Quinones, Executive
Director, The Bronx Tourism Council; Valerie I. Rainford, Home Lending,
Business Support Executive, JP Morgan Chase & Co.; Coreen Simpson,
Designer & CEO, Cameo Designs Ltd.; Gail L. Smith, Chief Customer Offi-
cer, MetroPlus Health Plan; and Verizon Communications; and
WHEREAS, The Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic's 2010 Lifetime
Achievers honorees are: Debi and Hal Jackson for their life's work on
WBLS and for investing in hundreds of teens around the world; Debi Jack-
son, known as Debi B.'s voice on 107.5 WBLS, is the rock behind and soul
mate of Hal Jackson and the producer of Hal Jackson's Talented Teens
International; Dr. Marco Mason, President of the Institute for PanAmeri-
can Affairs and Chairman/CEO of the Panamanian Council of New York,
Inc.; and Jennifer Jones Austin, Esq., daughter of the legendary pasto-
ral leader, Dr. William Augustus Jones, Jr. and Senior Vice President
for Community Investment at United Way of New York City; and
WHEREAS, A registered non-profit corporation with contractual
relationships with a number of major corporations in New York City, the
Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic was founded in 1998 to address
the needs of underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, Its mission is to provide strategic direction, organizational
oversight and technical assistance clinics to grassroots nonprofits and
grant makers; it creates dialogues between funders, community-based and
faith-based organizations to grow sound grassroots delivery of programs
and services for neighborhood needs; and
WHEREAS, Over the last several years, the Neighborhood Technical
Assistance Clinic has provided organizational and economic developmental
assistance to more than 5,500 community and faith-based organizations,
many of them now well-established and well-recognized; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic
serves philanthropic individuals, corporations, foundations and organ-
izations as well as government programs focused on developing, support-
ing and maintaining effective community and faith-based programs and
special initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Valerie Oliver-Durrah has made a career of philanthropic
advisement, nonprofit management, life coaching and writing; as the
President/CEO of the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic, she
utilizes a well-developed, executive skill set in support of organiza-
tions and leaders who seek to address the needs of underserved communi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Adept at helping grassroots service providers develop effec-
tive programs and navigate the challenging terrain of fundraising,
Valerie Oliver-Durrah has aided dozens of organizations in securing the
economic and technical resources they need to flourish in difficult
economic times; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals 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
commemorate the 13th Anniversary of the Neighborhood Technical Assist-
ance Clinic to be celebrated at its 3rd Annual Gala on June 30, 2010;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Valerie Oliver-Durrah, President/CEO, Neighborhood Technical
Assistance Clinic.