Honor RAICES 40th Anniversary

May 17, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES to be celebrated with a Gala on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the Green Building, Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, RAICES was founded in 1978 by retired Hispanic senior citizens who saw the need for an organization which would provide services, educate and organize the Latino, minority and low income aging community in the borough of Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, RAICES responds to the unmet needs of the Latino, African American and low income community, and seeks to improve their quality of life through advocacy and the direct provision of targeted services with work across the generations and a particular emphasis on the needs of older adults; and WHEREAS, This vital organization developed an "ethnic ramp" concept towards improving access to services for older adults of color; in this model, culturally and linguistically appropriate services are used as tools to improve access and increase utilization of services for this community; and WHEREAS, RAICES currently operates nine direct service sites, including seven senior centers, a case assistance division and a licensed outpatient mental health clinic, the first geriatric outpatient mental health clinic in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, RAICES provides over 107,000 meals per year and across all sites the organization provides over 3,200 participants a year with such additional services as health and wellness activities, case assistance and management, educational classes, individual and group psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management assistance; and WHEREAS, As a social service agency, RAICES recognizes the importance, and places great value on applying innovative and creative strategies in order to keep culturally and linguistically competent services in the community; and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 40-year history, RAICES has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and WHEREAS, The success of RAICES 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; the RAICES Team is comprised of the Management Staff: Lisette Sosa-Dickson, LCSW Executive Director; Yvonne Cotto, Associate Director; Suyapa Hernandez, MSW Deputy Director; and Raquel Ortiz Terron, LCSW Clinical Director; and the Board of Directors: Nancy Talavera, M.D. , Chairperson Psychiatrist, Private Practice; Rose W. Gaynus, Community Coordinator, Visions; Jose Labrador, Retired; and Ed Salas CEO/President, SalCare Home Health Services, Inc.; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to RAICES; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and 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 commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES to be celebrated on May 17, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, and the aforementioned members of the Management Staff and the Board of Directors.