LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 10th Anniversary of ELMY's
Special Services on May 10, 2012

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 10th Anniversary of ELMY's Special Services, to be celebrated
on Thursday, May 10, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The seeds for ELMY's Special Services were planted in 2001,
when Ray Knights, a compliance officer for a social service agency
offered to help a neighbor find regular and reliable home care in
central Brooklyn for her developmentally disabled child; and
WHEREAS, As word spread through the community, more and more families
turned to Ray Knights for help; within a year, Ray Knights and a diverse
and dedicated group of volunteers were providing respite and other
assistance for dozens of families; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Ray Knights formally opened ELMY's Special Services;
and
WHEREAS, The goal of ELMY's Special Services is to serve and support
individuals and families with mental and/or developmental disabilities,
and to offer case management, day programs, residential service options,
evaluation and other valuable services to the community; and
WHEREAS, Working out of an office in Ray Knights' home and with his
team of volunteers turned employees, ELMY's Special Services began to
expand both staff and services to a growing number of families well
beyond the Brooklyn community; and
WHEREAS, Today, with its more than 150 employees, ELMY's Special
Services provides educational, residential, respite and other support
and services for more than 700 developmentally disabled children, adults
and their families in locations throughout the five boroughs and beyond;
and
WHEREAS, Support and services provided by ELMY's staff of educators,
professionals and paraprofessionals include: weekly respite services for
families and caregivers; overnight respite offered outside the home;
holiday respite services providing day trips and other activities; after
school programs; and residential services providing group home and semi-
independent living residences; and
WHEREAS, As ELMY's Special Services celebrates its first 10 years of
service it remains committed to its founding principle that every person
regardless of his or her race, handicap or developmental level should be
treated with dignity; 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
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of ELMY's Special Services on May 10,
2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to ELMY's Special Services.