Honor Dr. Mary Cox Golden

2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr. Mary Cox Golden upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services to be celebrated at its 40th Anniversary "Feels Like Home" Gala on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at BKLYN Studios in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, Brooklyn Community Housing and Services (BCHS) is committed to ending homelessness in Brooklyn and empowering all the residents of its home community of Fort Greene and the surrounding neighborhoods through innovative and comprehensive social, educational and job-training programs that enable residents to achieve maximum independence; and WHEREAS, Every year, BCHS provides clean and safe supportive housing and services to more than 1,000 formerly homeless families and single adults and helps them to learn how to live independently; and WHEREAS, BCHS' programs provide short-term, transitional and permanent housing, homelessness prevention, personalized case management, mental health care, on-site nursing, vocational training, substance abuse counseling, recreational activities and other vital services; and WHEREAS, Mary Cox Golden was born and raised in Manhattan, New York, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology from Barnard College; and WHEREAS, After raising four children, Mary Cox Golden furthered her education by obtaining her master's degree from New York University and a PhD from City University of New York in Educational Psychology; and WHEREAS, In 1961, Dr. Mary Cox Golden and her family moved to Brooklyn, and shortly thereafter, became active members of St. Ann's Church and her community; Mary, Reverend Dr. Skip Vilas, and a group of clergy and concerned citizens from Downtown Brooklyn became alarmed by the growing number of homeless people with a mental illness, and subsequently, formed BCHS; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Dr. Mary Cox Golden, BCHS quickly established itself as a pioneer in the developing supportive housing field; and WHEREAS, In addition to her valuable work with BCHS, Dr. Mary Cox Golden had an accomplished practice in child evaluations and therapy until she retired professionally in 2000; and WHEREAS, Today, Dr. Mary Cox Golden resides in Brooklyn, and remains involved in BCHS, child welfare, and preserving the planet for her many grandchildren; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Dr. Mary Cox Golden upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by Brooklyn Community Housing and Services on May