LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Center for Children's Initiatives
upon the occasion of hosting its annual Champions for Children Awards
Gala

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 commend
the Center for Children's Initiatives upon the occasion of hosting its
annual Champions for Children Awards Gala on Monday, October 24, 2011,
at the Yale Club of New York City; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this fine event will recognize several distin-
guished honorees, they are: Kim Jasmin, Vice President, Northeast Region
JP Morgan Chase, Corporate Leadership Award; Donna Chandler, Early
Childhood Educational Director, Children's Aid Society - Drew Hamilton
Center, Golden Heart Award; and the Emergency Coalition to Save Child
Care, Institutional Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, Formerly known as Child Care, Inc., the Center for Children's
Initiatives (CCI) champions the right of all children to start life with
the best possible foundation of early learning, care and healthy devel-
opment; founded in 1982, it has more than a quarter century of experi-
ence supporting families by helping them to be more effective consumers
of early care and learning services; and
WHEREAS, CCI provides specialized training and one-to-one intensive
technical assistance to all types of programs serving children from
infancy through school age; the organization is a respected and
nationally recognized voice promoting appropriate public investments and
innovative solutions to improve quality and access to the best options
for all families; and
WHEREAS, CCI's Parent Referral Service has assisted nearly 4,000 New
York City parents in navigating the complexities of finding and choosing
early care and education arrangements for their children; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, CCI provided information, ongoing technical assist-
ance and professional development opportunities to more than 3500 indi-
viduals and organizations seeking to start-up, expand, maintain and
improve the quality of their services; its professional development
opportunities span from early literacy and business management training
to long-term intensive accreditation support and required credentialing
classes for after school professionals; in addition, it provides afford-
able training in topics as diverse as health, safety, child development,
and sound business practices; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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 Center for Children's Initiatives upon the occasion of host-
ing its annual Champions for Children Awards Gala; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Julie Fenster, President, Center for Children's Initiatives,
and to the aforementioned honorees.