Honor Beth Cooper Lawrence

2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Beth Cooper Lawrence upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services to be celebrated at its Talented Brooklyn Gala on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at

501 Union in Gowanus, Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, In addition, this auspicious event will feature the 9th Annual Brooklyn Community Housing and Services Resident Art Show, highlighting the borough's work-renown creativity and diversity; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, Brooklyn Community Housing and Services (BCHS) is committed to ending homelessness in Brooklyn and empowering all the residents of its home community of Fort Greene and the surrounding neighborhoods through innovative and comprehensive social, educational and job-training programs that enable residents to achieve maximum independence; and WHEREAS, Every year, BCHS provides clean and safe supportive housing and services to more than 1,000 formerly homeless families and single adults and helps them to learn how to live independently; and WHEREAS, BCHS' programs provide short-term, transitional and permanent housing, homelessness prevention, personalized case management, mental health care, on-site nursing, vocational training, substance abuse counselling, recreation activities and other vital services; and WHEREAS, Beth Cooper Lawrence enrolled at the Pratt Institute to study architecture and work at the Pratt Collaborative, ready to dedicate her career to the development of high quality affordable housing; and WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, Beth Cooper Lawrence began a 13-year tenure with Peter Woll, one of the New York City's leading architects for affordable and supportive housing; in 1994, she established her own firm, which she managed for 15 years; and WHEREAS, In May of 2013, Beth Cooper Lawrence joined Monadnock Construction; in this capacity, she has played an essential role in supporting and advancing the firm's ambitious construction and development projects, and diligently worked to assist Capsys, the firm's groundbreaking modular construction partner; and WHEREAS, In addition to Beth Cooper Lawrence's architectural expertise, she is also a skilled crocheter; two years ago, she taught her fellow employees at Mondanock Construction how to crochet hats and stroller blankets, which were than donated during the holiday season to the homeless moms and children at BCHS' Arbor Inn program; and WHEREAS, Beth Cooper Lawrence also holds weekly classes where she teaches BCHS residents how to crochet; each and every student is truly proud of their creation made by their own two hands; 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 commend Beth Cooper Lawrence upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services on May