Senate Resolution No. 2017

BY: Senator REICHLIN-MELNICK

COMMENDING Jawonio upon the occasion of
celebrating 75 years of supporting children, adults
and families with special needs

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Jawonio
upon the occasion of celebrating 75 years of supporting children, adults
and families with special needs; and

WHEREAS, In honor of this momentous occasion, a myriad of events
will be held throughout the year and a new video entitled "Celebrating
75 Years", will showcase Jawonio's many successes and important work in
its community; and

WHEREAS, Located in the Mid-Hudson Region of New York State, Jawonio
was founded in 1947, to provide developmental disability, mental health
and medical services to six local families; since then, this non-profit
organization has provided independence, well-being and equality for
thousands of children, adults and their families with disabilities,
mental health challenges and chronic medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, With a workforce of close to 1,000 professionals in
Rockland, Westchester and Orange Counties, Jawonio provides lifespan
services from infants through end of life with a variety of services
including early intervention, special education preschool, summer
education, vocational and employment services, residential and day
services and recovery based mental health services and care management;
and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings as a sleepover camp, Jawonio
currently supports 3,500 individuals and their families from a new
75,000 square foot state of the art facility for their staff, programs
and services; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of CEO Randi Rios-Castro,
Jawonio remains true to its mission of advancing the independence,
well-being and equality for people with special needs; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
organizations which 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 Jawonio upon the occasion of celebrating 75 years of supporting
children, adults and families with special needs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Randi Rios-Castro, CEO, Jawonio.