LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the employees of the Orange County
Department of Social Services and Catholic Charities' Housing Resource
Center upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2015
Caritas Award by Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals and organizations within the State of New York which have
shown a long-standing commitment to improving the health and well-being
of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
employees of the Orange County Department of Social Services and Cathol-
ic Charities' Housing Resource Center upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the 2015 Caritas Award by Catholic Charities
Community Services of Orange County at its 9th Annual Celebration of
Charity to be held on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Anthony's Pier 9, New
Windsor, New York; and
WHEREAS, The use of heroin has risen to epidemic proportions in Orange
County; as part of Catholic Charities' commitment to combating the
increase of this rampant outbreak, all staff with client contact partic-
ipated in Narcan training last year; a training program initiated by the
Orange County Department of Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is used to reverse the
effects of a heroin overdose; administered by injection into a large
muscle or by nasal mist, Narcan blocks the brain's opiate receptors and
reverses the perilous effect of the overdose; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after receiving the training, employees of Orange
County Department of Social Services and Catholic Charities' Housing
Resource Center were faced with a real life addict overdosing on heroin;
working together, they quickly assessed the situation, administered
Narcan, and called 911 for assistance, subsequently saving the client's
life; and
WHEREAS, One week later, a similar situation arose and another life
was saved due to the quick and astute actions, coupled with the teamwork
displayed by the skilled employees at the Orange County Department of
Social Services and Catholic Charities' Housing Resource Center; and
WHEREAS, These stellar employees serve as extraordinary examples of
those who demonstrate a deep respect for the dignity of every individual
by serving the basic needs of the most vulnerable in our midst and by
significantly contributing to the building of a compassionate and just
society; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by the
employees of the Orange County Department of Social Services and Cathol-
ic Charities' Housing Resource Center over careers of sacrifice and
dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is with great admiration that this Legislative Body
applauds the efforts of all the individuals involved in these vital
organizations who continue to proactively work for the health, safety
and future of our great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the employees of the Orange County Department of Social Services
and Catholic Charities' Housing Resource Center upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of the 2015 Caritas Award by Catholic
Charities Community Services of Orange County; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the employees of the Orange County Department of Social
Services and Catholic Charities' Housing Resource Center.