Honor Unity House Anniversary

2017, at Emerson Park Pavilion; and WHEREAS, The Unity House started in 1972 when it began offering housing services to emotionally disabled veterans at the historic Case mansion on South Street in Auburn at the First Presbyterian Church; and WHEREAS, Five years later, Unity House hired its first Executive Director, Reverend Frederick Harrison and filed its articles of incorporation on March 28, 1977; by April, the agency obtained not-for-profit status and the following year, the program was certified as a community residence by the state's Department of Mental Hygiene; and WHEREAS, In addition to the mental health services Unity House began to serve adults with developmental disabilities and those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction; in 1988, employment services were added; two years later, they introduced housing, day habilitation and case management for the People with Developmental Disabilities (PWDD) population; and WHEREAS, Unity House opened Cayuga County's first halfway house for individuals in recovery from addiction, serving nearly 2,000 people since its inception in 1995; and WHEREAS, In 1997, Unity House was named by the state as the successor agency for HOMES, Inc. in Ithaca, New York; this introduced the agency to Tompkins County, where they currently operate nine group homes, a day habilitation center, employment services, two respite beds, and a number of independent apartments; and WHEREAS, Over the course of four decades, the agency has empowered and enriched the lives of many people; today, Unity House serves 700 individuals daily in six central New York counties, employs more than

400 staff members and oversees a large budget; and WHEREAS, The success of Unity House is in direct correlation to the efforts of its 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 custom of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized and applauded 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 40th Anniversary of Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc.