Honor IMPACCT and Honorees

Senate Resolution No. 1183 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMENDING IMPACCT on its Annual Awards Reception, and paying tribute to this year's honorees WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 IMPACCT on its Annual Awards Reception, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees to be feted at its Celebrating Flourishing Communities Event on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at The Irondale Center in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, IMPAACT is an award-winning nonprofit organization which fights to preserve project-based Section 8 Housing, works to prevent foreclosures, organizes against lead paint hazards, educates residents through workshops and counseling, provides loans and grants to homebuyers and small businesses, and creates business retention and revitalization activities; and WHEREAS, As a community development corporation, IMPACCT strives to preserve and develop safe and affordable housing, support vibrant local commerce, sustain and develop an economic, racial and cultural diversity, promote knowledge, initiative, and concerted action and foster an ethic that all members of the community bear personal responsibility to contribute to the greater good; and WHEREAS, This year's event, Celebrating Flourishing Communities, will honor and recognize Deb Howard, IMPACCT's retiring Executive Director; for 26 years, she has fought for the affordable housing movement and diligently worked to better the community through her work with the organization; and WHEREAS, In addition, IMPACCT will be honoring Denise Scott, the Executive Vice President for Programs at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) for her outstanding leadership in community development; and WHEREAS, Executive Vice President Denise Scott is in charge of LISC's national and local program; she previously managed its flagship program in New York City, focusing on affordable housing, commercial corridors, education, health and jobs in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, Deb Howard began working for IMPACCT in 1990 as a Community Consultant working with tenants, landlords and small homeowners; subsequently, she became a certified homeowner counselor specializing in foreclosure prevention, individually assisting residents in their efforts to purchase and maintain their homes; and WHEREAS, In 1998, she became the Director of Homeowner Services, designing and overseeing services and programs which enable neighborhood residents to become homeowners and provide information to support their efforts to resist displacement; four years later, she became the Housing Director, managing and supervising IMPACCT's affordable housing development projects; and WHEREAS, For her dedication and commitment to developing affordable, safe and healthy communities, Deb Howard holds numerous positions including Chair of the Small Buildings Committee for Mayor Bloomberg's Neighborhood Initiatives Advisory Panel, President of the Friends of Clinton Hill Library, Elder at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church and Chair of their Capital Campaign; she is also a member of the Association for Neighborhood Housing Developers, New Yorkers for Responsible Lending and Women in Housing Finance; and WHEREAS, Deb Howard has been the recipient of multiple awards and accolades for her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her community including the prestigious Woman of Distinction from the New York State Senate in 1998; 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; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend IMPACCT on its Annual Awards Reception, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Deb Howard, Denise Scott and IMPACCT.