LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kevin D. White upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by Safe Harbors of the Hudson

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize
those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to the
success and progress of society in the course of their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Kevin D. White upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion by Safe Harbors of the Hudson, to be celebrated at its 5th Annual
Gala on Saturday, June 11, 2011, in Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, Incorporated in 2000, Safe Harbors of the Hudson is a nonpro-
fit organization that is committed to transforming lives and building
communities through housing and the arts in the City of Newburgh; and
WHEREAS, Kevin White earned his bachelor's degree in management from
Baruch College; he initially worked on Wall Street as an export analyst
with a top export regulation firm, but although he enjoyed the work, he
always had an interest in doing something more meaningful with his life;
and
WHEREAS, Having grown up around drugs, crime and gangs that were typi-
cal of the South Bronx, Kevin White dreamed of returning to help others
in need; in 1987, he abandoned his Wall Street career and landed a job
as a substance abuse counselor, working with heroin addicts on New York
City's Lower East Side; and
WHEREAS, Kevin White soon became a substance abuse counselor and staff
trainer on Riker's Island, where he assisted inmates to prepare for a
successful return to society; in 1993, he became the Director of the
Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services, where he
worked to secure the release of thousands of young felony offenders and
helped them enroll in school and find meaningful employment; and
WHEREAS, Kevin White later redirected his efforts toward prevention
work and went on to establish several afterschool programs in Brooklyn
and a welfare-to-work program for single mothers in Harlem; he also went
on to earn his master's degree in education from Fordham University and
has begun work towards a Ph.D. in sociology; and
WHEREAS, After returning to the Newburgh area, Kevin White's wife Kim,
a former dancer, had a vision to create a school for the arts where
underserved young people would have an opportunity to study the arts
with some of the best artists in the area; this particular vision led to
the 2004 creation of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy (NPAA); and
WHEREAS, Under Kevin White's management and the creative talent of his
wife, NPAA has grown to provide high quality professional instruction in
dance, music, theater and visual arts with over 150 classes per week
serving over 450 African-American and Latino students each year; and
WHEREAS, Three years ago, Kevin White expanded the mission of NPAA to
include education programs and launched The Afterschool Project (TAP), a
network of free afterschool and summer programs located in Newburgh that
are designed to provide students with the academic, social and voca-
tional skills they will need to successfully enter college and the work-
force; TAP has a current enrollment of 650 youth and is continuously
growing; and
WHEREAS, In July of 2010, Kevin White's successful management of NPAA
led to the merger of the NPAA and the Glenn E. Hines Memorial Boys &
Girls Club of Newburgh; under his leadership as executive director, the
union has created an organization that provides outstanding youth devel-
opment services in the arts, academics and athletics to over 2000 young
people each year; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with youth, Kevin White teaches Soci-
ology at SUNY Orange and vows to continue his work to end poverty in
Newburgh through the education of its youth; he is a true asset to soci-
ety; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the life in their community and have shown a long and sustained
commitment to excellence certainly have earned recognition and applause;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kevin D. White upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Safe Harbors of the Hudson; and he it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kevin D. White.