Senate Resolution No. 1999

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Beth Cooper Lawrence upon the occasion
of her designation for special recognition by
Brooklyn Community Housing and Services on May 10,
2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
organizations 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 Beth Cooper Lawrence upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services to be
celebrated at its Talented Brooklyn Gala on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at
501 Union in Gowanus, Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this auspicious event will feature the 9th
Annual Brooklyn Community Housing and Services Resident Art Show,
highlighting the borough's work-renown creativity and diversity; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, Brooklyn Community Housing and Services
(BCHS) is committed to ending homelessness in Brooklyn and empowering
all the residents of its home community of Fort Greene and the
surrounding neighborhoods through innovative and comprehensive social,
educational and job-training programs that enable residents to achieve
maximum independence; and

WHEREAS, Every year, BCHS provides clean and safe supportive housing
and services to more than 1,000 formerly homeless families and single
adults and helps them to learn how to live independently; and

WHEREAS, BCHS' programs provide short-term, transitional and
permanent housing, homelessness prevention, personalized case
management, mental health care, on-site nursing, vocational training,
substance abuse counselling, recreation activities and other vital
services; and

WHEREAS, Beth Cooper Lawrence enrolled at the Pratt Institute to
study architecture and work at the Pratt Collaborative, ready to
dedicate her career to the development of high quality affordable
housing; and

WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, Beth Cooper Lawrence began a 13-year
tenure with Peter Woll, one of the New York City's leading architects
for affordable and supportive housing; in 1994, she established her own
firm, which she managed for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, In May of 2013, Beth Cooper Lawrence joined Monadnock
Construction; in this capacity, she has played an essential role in
supporting and advancing the firm's ambitious construction and

development projects, and diligently worked to assist Capsys, the firm's
groundbreaking modular construction partner; and

WHEREAS, In addition to Beth Cooper Lawrence's architectural
expertise, she is also a skilled crocheter; two years ago, she taught
her fellow employees at Mondanock Construction how to crochet hats and
stroller blankets, which were than donated during the holiday season to
the homeless moms and children at BCHS' Arbor Inn program; and

WHEREAS, Beth Cooper Lawrence also holds weekly classes where she
teaches BCHS residents how to crochet; each and every student is truly
proud of their creation made by their own two hands; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Beth Cooper Lawrence upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services on May
10, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Beth Cooper Lawrence.