Honor FREE’s 40th Anniversary

Assembly Resolution No. 268 BY: M. of A. Montesano COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) to be celebrated on April 21, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) to be celebrated with a luncheon at the facility in Old Bethpage, New York, on Friday, April 21, 2017; and WHEREAS, FREE was founded in April of 1977 by a group of parents and advocates in response to the need for community residential alternative to institutionalization; and WHEREAS, During the next eight years, FREE opened community residences, intermediate care facilities and Individualized Residential Alternative facilities; and WHEREAS, From 1985 through 2000, in addition to increasing the type of facilities named above, FREE opened the Assessment Residence, the Career Builders, The Residential Respite Program, the Homeless Housing Program, the Anita Smith Day Program, the After School Respite Program, the Supported Employment Program, Supportive Apartments, the Eddie C. Moore Day Program, the Respite II program, and began Medicaid Service Coordination and Mental Health apartments; and WHEREAS, During that same period of remarkable growth and expanded services, FREE launched Rides Unlimited of Nassau and Suffolk Transportation; and WHEREAS, In 2000, the Rehabilitation Institute, the National Foundation for Human Potential and Homes Anew I joined the FREE family; and WHEREAS, For the next 10 years, FREE opened the Family Wellness Center, The Community-Based Integrated Day Habilitation program, the Theatre Day Habilitation program, the Saddle Rock Ranch, the Fancy Free retail business, the Crisis Respite Program, launched Individual Support Services, Community Rehabilitation Services, and Community Habilitation Services, and WHEREAS, During that same decade, Homes Anew II, Helping Hands, Park House, Inc., the Child Development Center of the Hampton and SJK Listening Therapy also joined the FREE family; and WHEREAS, Since 2011, FREE has launched the In Home Crisis Respite Services, the Nassau and Suffolk Mobile Crisis Services, Shared Living Opportunities and Stop the Bounce; and WHEREAS, Contemporary Guidance Services, Adelante of Suffolk County, Skills Unlimited and Pronto also joined the FREE family; and WHEREAS, Today, FREE benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury, assisting individuals of all abilities realize their full potential; and WHEREAS, This vital organization also provides a diverse array of support and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) to be celebrated on April 21, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE).