Senate Resolution No. 35

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING MPower! upon the occasion of its
designation as recipient of the Organization of the
Year Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the profound impact of
those exemplary organizations within the great State of New York which
proactively work for the enfranchisement of minority communities, and
the importance of such work for the benefit of all citizens of this
State, and indeed, all citizens of the Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor MPower! A
Program of the Albany Damien Center upon the occasion of its designation
as recipient of the Organization of the Year Award by the Pride Center
of the Capital Region to be celebrated at its Annual Awards Gala on
Friday, October 19, 2018, at the Albany Capital Center, Albany, New
York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event benefits the Pride Center of the
Capital Region and celebrates the important contributions of individuals
who work hard to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community; MPower! is one such program; and

WHEREAS, MPower! is receiving this prestigious award for its
outstanding support of the LGBTQ Community; and

WHEREAS, MPower!, a program of the Albany Damien Center, is
dedicated to providing innovative, sex-positive ways of bringing young
gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color together by enhancing the
lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS in an affirming environment and
reducing new infections in the communities it serves; and

WHEREAS, In addition, MPower! strives to prevent new HIV infections,
reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and sexually transmitted infections,
and engage people who are HIV-positive to get the services they need; in
2017, this vital organization served 108 clients with 400 encounters and
1,198 services; and

WHEREAS, Currently, MPower! consists of three staff members, Tommy
Rosario, Ryan Ramdass and Peg Stucky; as the Program Coordinator, Tommy
Rosario is dedicated to providing meaningful quality of care to
individuals that have been affected by HIV; and

WHEREAS, A caring and compassionate individual, Ryan Ramdass has
been involved with HIV/Human services for more than 15 years; as a Peer
Navigator, he is a constant presence in the community and supports and
assists those in need; and

WHEREAS, With over three decades of mental health counseling with
the Albany Damien Center, Peg Stucky serves as the Prevention Counselor;
in this capacity, she works with high risk MSM and LGBT people of color
in formulating high risk interventions and providing support when and
where needed; and

WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts
of those organizations and individuals which unite for the cause of
improving the quality of life for others, and proactively work toward
the goal of dignity for all; 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
honor MPower! upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the
Organization of the Year Award by the Pride Center of the Capital
Region; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Tommy Rosario, Program Coordinator; Ryan Ramdass, Peer
Navigator; and Peg Stucky, Prevention Counselor, MPower!.