Senate Resolution No. 2089

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 11th Anniversary of the DREAMS
YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 11th Anniversary of the DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult
Training Program; and

WHEREAS, DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program is
Settlement Housing Fund's Brooklyn-based alternative school and
vocational training program that helps youth, ages 17-24, obtain high
school equivalency diplomas and job skills, secure employment and go on
to college or vocational school; and

WHEREAS, As a YouthBuild USA affiliate, the program offers paid
construction training to students who gain valuable skills and
certification from OSHA as well as the National Center for Construction
Education and Research while helping to rehabilitate affordable housing
in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, affiliations with construction partners such
as the NYC District Council of Carpenters, Building Skills NY and
private developers, enable its students to be placed in construction
jobs; and

WHEREAS, DREAMS YouthBuild's dedicated staff provides a supportive
environment with wrap around social services, college and career
counseling, job readiness and placement, mentoring, leadership
opportunities and community service projects; and

WHEREAS, Established in 2007, DREAMS YouthBuild is part of the New
York City Department of Education's Pathways to Education program; since
its inception, the program has successfully engaged over 300 youth from
Crown Heights and surrounding neighborhoods in becoming Dedicated,
Responsible, Educated, Accountable, Motivated and Self-Sufficient
(DREAMS); and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 11-year history, DREAMS YouthBuild
has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities
which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of DREAMS YouthBuild is in direct correlation
to the efforts of its Director Ditashiah Kohn, and its dedicated 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, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to DREAMS YouthBuild; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 11th Anniversary of the DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult
Training Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ditashiah Kohn, Director, DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult
Training Program.