Assembly Resolution No. 91

BY: M. of A. Sepulveda

COMMENDING Catholic Charities upon the occasion of
celebrating their 100th Anniversary

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 Catholic Charities upon the occasion of celebrating their 100th
Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, A vital presence in the State of New York for 100 years,
Catholic Charities has continually strived to offer a variety of
services to fulfill the needs of orphans, immigrants, mentally and
physically ill, as well as homeless individuals and families in crisis;
and

WHEREAS, In 1917, the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York was
incorporated by a special act of the New York State Legislature; today,
this vital organization represents a federation of more than 90
agencies; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, Catholic Charities has
provided help and hope for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers,
non-Catholics and Catholics alike by offering numerous services
including mental health, special education, job and employment
assistance, and help for the homeless; and

WHEREAS, During the Great Depression, Casita Maria was founded to
help the unemployed find housing and jobs, and the Catholic Youth
Organization (CYO) offered children a break through fresh-air camps,
sports and after-school activities; job programs, employment and social
services bolstered returning veterans, widows and wives; and

WHEREAS, When the Cold War struck, Catholic Charities broadened its
mental health services, and a small group of nuns opened Little Sisters
of the Assumption Family Health Services in East Harlem, and Astor Home
for Children began a residential treatment center for children with
serious emotional disturbances; and

WHEREAS, Catholic Charities also offers special education services
with the Kennedy Child Study Center, one of the first organizations to
provide special education services; in addition, the Guidance Institute,
established the first day camp for children with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960s, the Catholic Church become more involved in
world affairs; religious communities and clergy built links between
people and neighborhoods to support the War on Poverty; and

WHEREAS, During the next three decades, more than 50 new Catholic
Charities affiliated agencies developed to address growing needs; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980s, Catholic Charities agencies mobilized to
provide more than 40 percent of all group homes in New York City along
with foster care, adoption and preventative services; and

WHEREAS, Nazareth Housing, Incarnation Children's Center, St.
Francis Residences and Beacon of Hope House were established to serve
the most vulnerable populations including babies abandoned in hospitals
with HIV/AIDS, and New Hope Manor, Catholic Charities Community Services
of Orange County and fellow affiliated agencies offered a fresh start
for the chemically dependent; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Catholic Charities continued as the first stop
for immigrants fleeing poverty and oppression; Tolentine-Zeiser assisted
the influx of Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees, Mercy Center
began offering English as a Second Language and after-school programs
for Spanish-speaking new arrivals, and Project Irish Outreach formed
after the first national legalization for undocumented immigrants in
1986; and

WHEREAS, Today, Catholic Charities continues its leadership role,
working with government agencies, service providers and individuals to
make sure immigrants receive counsel and services they need; its
continual evolution provides Catholic Charities with flexibility to
respond quickly when crises strike; and

WHEREAS, When terrorists attacked on 9/11, Catholic Charities helped
establish an integrated system of services; when back-to-back hurricanes
Rita and Katrina hit in 2005, Catholic Charities helped hundreds of
displaced Gulf-region residents rebuild their lives, and when Hurricane
Sandy pounded New York in 2012, the organization helped mobilize
comprehensive disaster relief; and

WHEREAS, Catholic Charities agencies serve more than 1 million
clients annually, with programs in all 62 counties of the State,
providing more than $1.3 billion in services; its programs extend to
men, women, and children of every faith, or no faith at all; and

WHEREAS, In addition to its 17,000-strong professional staff, the
backbone of the organization is its network of 9,500 volunteers and
Board members from all across the State; and

WHEREAS, Now, as Catholic Charities celebrates its Centennial
Anniversary, it draws on its history of innovation and service to
continue to evolve and touch almost every human need; and

WHEREAS, The success of Catholic Charities is in direct correlation
to the efforts of its management and staff, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of this organization and the community it serves;
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 Catholic Charities upon the occasion of celebrating their 100th
Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Catholic Charities of New York, and its affiliate
organizations.