Honor Vera House Campaign

Senate Resolution No. 755 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO COMMENDING Vera House upon the occasion of its 23rd Annual White Ribbon Campaign WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those significant institutions within our midst that continue to serve an integral role in helping to protect members of the community and to educate the public on issues of importance; and WHEREAS, Primary among such institutions are those individuals who, year after year, diligently seek to empower those in need, promote a culture of equality and respect, and assist individuals and families in crisis; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to hereby recognize and commend Vera House upon the occasion of its 23rd Annual White Ribbon Campaign, during which thousands of Central New Yorkers will wear a white ribbon, wristband or white pin to help raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence from March 1 - 31, 2017; and WHEREAS, In 1977, Vera House was founded in Syracuse by a group of concerned residents, led by Sister Mary Vera, who recognized the dire need for emergency sheltering services for women in crisis; and WHEREAS, The original mission of Vera House blossomed into a wide range of domestic violence services including outreach and advocacy, domestic violence education programming, children's counseling, the Syracuse Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition, and a domestic violence education program for male perpetrators; and WHEREAS, Today, the continuous mission of Vera House is to help end and prevent all domestic and sexual violence, to assist individuals and families in crisis, and to promote a culture of equality and respect through various outreach programs and services, such as the annual White Ribbon Campaign; and WHEREAS, The White Ribbon Campaign is led by men and encourages all members of the community - men and women, young and old - to take an active role in preventing domestic and sexual violence by joining their awareness efforts; and WHEREAS, Throughout the month of March, more than 20,000 Central New Yorkers are expected to be involved with the White Ribbon Campaign; they will wear a white ribbon or white wristband to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence, while making an important statement that they will not commit, condone or remain silent about such violence; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Executive Director Randi Bregman, Vera House will also hold several community events during the White Ribbon Campaign, including the White Ribbon Campaign Breakfast on March 1st, the White Ribbon Campaign Kick-Off Walk in the City of Syracuse, the White Ribbon Campaign at the Dome, and the White Ribbon Campaign Education Challenge to help promote awareness and prevention in local schools; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to hereby recognize and commend Vera House upon the occasion of its 23rd Annual White Ribbon Campaign, and to support the ongoing efforts within the community to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in Central New York and beyond; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Randi Bregman, Executive Director of Vera House.