Honor Brooklyn Teen Innovators

Senate Resolution No. 3255 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY HONORING Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen Innovators program upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by the National Endowment for the Arts WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose focus and intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen Innovators program upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by the National Endowment for the Arts, to be celebrated on Monday, November 20, 2017, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard; and WHEREAS, The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award recognizes the country's best youth development programs, singling out for recognition those which most effectively use engagement in the arts and the humanities to generate a wide range of positive outcomes, such as increases in academic achievement, graduation rates and college enrollment; and WHEREAS, The Teen Innovators program, a partnership with the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is being recognized with the nation's highest honor for youth programs for its effective approach to job preparedness; and WHEREAS, In addition to the national recognition bestowed by receipt of the prestigious award, Teen Innovators will also receive $10,000 to support its programming and engage more young people in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1863, Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) is a nationally recognized urban history center dedicated to preserving and encouraging the study of Brooklyn's extraordinary 400-year history; located in Brooklyn Heights and housed in a magnificent landmark building, today's BHS, under the leadership of President Deborah Schwartz, is a cultural hub for civic dialogue, thoughtful engagement and community outreach; and WHEREAS, Teen Innovators is a year-long afterschool and internship program which provides young people with opportunities they may never have imagined; and WHEREAS, Through a deep dive into the businesses, careers and culture of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Teen Innovators apply the skills of a historian to work-readiness; they explore careers, workplace etiquette, professional writing and communication, and the history of work and workers at the Yard over the past century; and WHEREAS, Additionally, students learn how to create a resume and dress for success, acquire interview skills, and complete Human Resource forms; the program culminates with a paid internship at one of the 330 businesses residing in the Brooklyn Navy Yard; and WHEREAS, Since its inception in 2012, the Teen Innovators program has served 130 students, all from Title I schools in the Brooklyn Navy Yard's surrounding communities; over that time, its teens have interned with businesses as varied as their interests, including the International Hispanic Television Network, Brooklyn Clay Industries, and The Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm; and WHEREAS, The Teen Innovators program is a truly essential investment in not only the lives of its young people, but in the community-at-large as well; nearly all of its teens are college-bound after high school graduation, and many continue to work at Brooklyn Navy Yard companies as paid summer interns; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the program reflects the impact of an unconventional partnership between a cultural institution, BHS, and an innovative business venture, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation; and WHEREAS, The success of the Teen Innovators program 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 celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen Innovators program upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by the National Endowment for the Arts; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to President Deborah Schwartz and the Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen Innovators program.