LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Venus Brown upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Institute for Community
Living on June 6, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
efforts of those professionals who provide vital behavioral health
services to individuals and families and, in so doing, enhance the
health and welfare of the entire State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Venus Brown upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition
by the Institute for Community Living, to be celebrated on Friday, June
6, 2014, at the Trauma Informed Care Takes Root at ICL Celebration,
Brooklyn Borough Hall, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1986, the Institute for Community Living, Inc.
(ICL) is a not-for-profit corporation that assists individuals and fami-
lies affected by, or at risk for, mental illness or developmental disa-
bilities by providing integrated comprehensive services and support
designed to facilitate their recovery, improve their quality of life,
and foster their participation in community living; and
WHEREAS, With more than 100 programs, the Institute for Community
Living provides evidence-based, best practice innovative treatments,
rehabilitation programs, and support services to more than 10,000
adults, children and families in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx
and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Venus Brown is being recognized for her exemplary efforts to
implement trauma-informed care practices as a Network Leader in ICL' s
Agency Practice Expertise Network (APEX) Learning Collaborative; and
WHEREAS, Through APEX, ICL aims to change the way trauma is viewed by
ending isolation, exposing misconceptions, and working collaboratively
to develop strategies that enable individuals to live productive and
healthy lives in their communities; and
WHEREAS, In her dedication to promoting the principles of trauma-in-
formed care, as well as her outstanding leadership in APEX, Venus Brown
has demonstrated her commitment to social justice and has set an example
for all behavioral health providers in New York City and the State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who bring greater awareness to mental health
issues, and who aid people with mental illnesses in their quest for
dignity and independence, merit the recognition and appreciation of all
the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Venus Brown upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Institute for Community Living; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Venus Brown.