Honor D.R.E.A.M. Foundation Honorees

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 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 commend the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Awards Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Thursday,

May 2, 2019, at El Caribe Country Club Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, This year's honorees are: Dr. Jonathan Chang, Board of Directors, Manager, Coalition of Asian-American IPA Inc.; Angela Davis, President, For Kidney's Sake; Alex Elegudin, Co-Founder and President, Wheeling Forward; Dr. Himanshu Pandya, President Elect, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; Lucia Pons, Executive Director, Lower Westside Household Services; and Benjamin R. Sher, President, NASW NYC Chapter; and WHEREAS, These six selfless individuals truly reflect the 2019 theme, "Inclusive Collaboration Through Community Building"; they graciously and enthusiastically reach out to the community as well as individuals to help them overcome obstacles without expecting any reward or recognition; and WHEREAS, The D.R.E.A.M. Foundation (Developing Restoring Enriching Advancing Many) is a diverse health and human services organization which diligently works to restore communities through economic empowerment, enrich and empower lives through financial literacy, make individuals and communities viable through health and wellness initiatives, advance cooperative partnerships to sustain communities and their residents, and develop leaders for future generations; and WHEREAS, Through its hunger, health, education, job placement and housing assistance programs, this vital foundation offers various initiatives which exemplify its desire to meet the needs of its community; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its Chair, DeCosta Headley, the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation works with community members who span the economic and cultural divide, defying the myth that our differences keep us divided and embracing the challenge to see the commonalities that exist among us; and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished history, the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and WHEREAS, The success of the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation is in direct correlation to the efforts of its volunteers, 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; 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 commend the D.R.E.A.M. Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its 2nd Annual Awards Dinner, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on May