Senate Resolution No. 1389

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 41st Anniversary of the Spanish
Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, and paying tribute
to this year's honorees on May 16, 2019

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
commemorate the 41st Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly
Council-RAICES, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees at a Gala on
Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 26 Bridge in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, In honor of RAICES' founder, Homero Rosado, two exceptional
individuals will be recognized for their steadfast and unremitting
commitment to their community; this year's honorees include Luis
Alejandro Medina, Reporter, Telemundo 47; the late Luis Garden Acosta,
Founder and President, El Puente; and AARP of New York; and

WHEREAS, RAICES was founded in 1978 by retired Hispanic senior
citizens who saw the need for an organization which would provide
services, educate and organize the Latino, minority and low income aging
community in the borough of Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, RAICES responds to the unmet
needs of the Latino, African American and low income community, and
seeks to improve their quality of life through advocacy and the direct
provision of targeted services with work across the generations and a
particular emphasis on the needs of older adults; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization developed an "ethnic ramp" concept
towards improving access to services for older adults of color; in this
model, culturally and linguistically appropriate services are used as
tools to improve access and increase utilization of services for this
community; and

WHEREAS, RAICES currently operates nine direct service sites,
including seven senior centers, a case assistance division and a
licensed outpatient mental health clinic, the first geriatric outpatient
mental health clinic in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, RAICES provides over 107,000 meals per year
and across all sites the organization provides over 3,200 participants a
year with such additional services as health and wellness activities,
case assistance and management, educational classes, individual and
group psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management assistance;
and

WHEREAS, As a social service agency, RAICES recognizes the
importance, and places great value on applying innovative and creative

strategies in order to keep culturally and linguistically competent
services in the community; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 41-year history, RAICES has
demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which
it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of RAICES is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its Executive Director Lisette Sosa-Dickson and her 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 the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 41st Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly
Council-RAICES, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on May 16,
2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Luis Alejandro Medina, the family of Luis Garden Acosta,
and Lisette Sosa-Dickson, Executive Director, Spanish Speaking Elderly
Council-RAICES.