Honor Spanish Elderly Council

Senate Resolution No. 1389 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 41st Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on May 16, 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 commemorate the 41st Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees at a Gala on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 26 Bridge in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, In honor of RAICES' founder, Homero Rosado, two exceptional individuals will be recognized for their steadfast and unremitting commitment to their community; this year's honorees include Luis Alejandro Medina, Reporter, Telemundo 47; the late Luis Garden Acosta, Founder and President, El Puente; and AARP of New York; and WHEREAS, RAICES was founded in 1978 by retired Hispanic senior citizens who saw the need for an organization which would provide services, educate and organize the Latino, minority and low income aging community in the borough of Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, RAICES responds to the unmet needs of the Latino, African American and low income community, and seeks to improve their quality of life through advocacy and the direct provision of targeted services with work across the generations and a particular emphasis on the needs of older adults; and WHEREAS, This vital organization developed an "ethnic ramp" concept towards improving access to services for older adults of color; in this model, culturally and linguistically appropriate services are used as tools to improve access and increase utilization of services for this community; and WHEREAS, RAICES currently operates nine direct service sites, including seven senior centers, a case assistance division and a licensed outpatient mental health clinic, the first geriatric outpatient mental health clinic in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, RAICES provides over 107,000 meals per year and across all sites the organization provides over 3,200 participants a year with such additional services as health and wellness activities, case assistance and management, educational classes, individual and group psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management assistance; and WHEREAS, As a social service agency, RAICES recognizes the importance, and places great value on applying innovative and creative strategies in order to keep culturally and linguistically competent services in the community; and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 41-year history, RAICES has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and WHEREAS, The success of RAICES is in direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director Lisette Sosa-Dickson and her staff, 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 commemorate the 41st Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, and to pay tribute to this year's honorees on May 16,