LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Poverello Center upon the occasion
of its designation as recipient of the Sister Maureen Joyce Distin-
guished Service Award by the Sister Maureen Joyce Center on February 9,
2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality of life in the communities across this great State of New York
is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those indi-
viduals and organizations whose singular purpose is the care and welfare
of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Poverello
Center upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the Sister
Maureen Joyce Distinguished Service Award by the Sister Maureen Joyce
Center to be celebrated at its 4th Annual Dinner at Century House,
Latham, New York, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The Sister Maureen Joyce Distinguished Service Award is given
annually to persons, organizations, and businesses which have demon-
strated commitment to the spirit of the Sister Maureen Joyce Center
through their outreach or advocacy on behalf of the poor and vulnerable;
and
WHEREAS, The Sister Maureen Joyce Center is a collaborative project
between Catholic Charities, Blessed Sacrament Parish, the Ladies of
Charity, and Congregation Beth Emeth, which provides members of its
community with basic necessities such as food, health care, and mentor-
ing services for young people; and
WHEREAS, Founded by Father Alvin Somerville, OFM Conv. on March 28,
2001, the Poverello Center is a health clinic staffed by volunteer
physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and chaplains, which provides
high quality care to uninsured adults in the immediate community; and
WHEREAS, The name of this vital organization means "the little poor
one," which is often used to describe St. Francis of Assisi, one of the
most recognized religious figures in history; to honor this great man's
legacy, the Poverello Center strives to understand and serve the health
and wellness needs of the medically underserved, especially those who
live and function in the West Hill area of Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated and caring staff of the Poverello Center
provide free, high quality medical care, such as physical exams, and
health screenings, as well as urgent care to uninsured adults every
Wednesday evening; and
WHEREAS, In addition, a referral system has been established to link
clients to legal counseling services, social services, and spiritual
direction; linkages have also been established with medical providers in
the community for clients with on-going chronic health problems which
require more intensive health monitoring such as diabetes and asthma;
and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Poverello Center is in direct
correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who volunteer their
time and energies to this worthy establishment; presently the excep-
tional staff consists of seven physicians: Dr. William Cromie, Dr. Sarah
Elmendorf, Dr. Janet Gargiulo, Dr. Denise Letteriello, Dr. Mary Rappaz-
zo, Dr. Arthur Wallingford, and Dr. Amy Walsh; two nurse practitioners,
Marybeth Bossolini and Margaret Nagy; and four registered nurses, Peggy
DiManno, Barbara Ochampaugh, Betty Sullivan and Barbara Weidman; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the vital importance of the
Poverello Center in providing excellence in care through prevention,
education and treatment, and its evident commitment to this mission; and

WHEREAS, The Poverello Center, and its expert staff, has had a long
and sustained commitment to the health and welfare of the citizens of
the West Hill area of Albany, New York, and therefore merits the highest
commendation of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Poverello Center upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Sister Maureen Joyce Distinguished Service Award by the
Sister Maureen Joyce Center on February 9, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Poverello Center.