Honor HIV/AIDS Spiritual Service

2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the profound impact of those exemplary organizations within the great State of New York which proactively work for the enfranchisement of minority communities, and the importance of such work for the benefit of all citizens of this State, and indeed, all citizens of the Nation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Love Alive International Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its Hope that Transforms Spiritual Outreach Service for People Living with and Affected by HIV/AIDS on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Parkchester Baptist Church, Bronx, New York; and WHEREAS, Love Alive International Foundation (LAIF) is a faith-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to equip, for the empowerment, individuals oppressed by structures, systems, cultures, and traditions that impede their physical and mental progress, as it pertains to HIV/AIDS and other disproportionate health disparities which plague the black community through advocacy, education, and community and business partnerships; and WHEREAS, Spiritual Outreach Service (SOS) is an outreach program of LAIF developed for the purpose of providing people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS a safe space to gather as a spiritual community to honor the Divine, a safe space to network and build healthy support systems, a safe space for disclosure and discussion, share the witness of one's Journey for healing and empowerment, and promote healthcare maintenance and medication adherence through information sharing; and WHEREAS, There are over 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in New York; on July 28, 2016, over 122 individuals living with HIV/AIDS gathered for an SOS in Manhattan at All Souls Unitarian Church, New York, New York; later that year on October 27, 2016, 147 more people gathered for an SOS in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 commend Love Alive International Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its Hope that Transforms Spiritual Outreach Service for People Living with and Affected by HIV/AIDS; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Love Alive International Foundation.