Celebrate DREAMS YouthBuild Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 2089 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 11th Anniversary of the DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose focus and intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 11th Anniversary of the DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program; and WHEREAS, DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program is Settlement Housing Fund's Brooklyn-based alternative school and vocational training program that helps youth, ages 17-24, obtain high school equivalency diplomas and job skills, secure employment and go on to college or vocational school; and WHEREAS, As a YouthBuild USA affiliate, the program offers paid construction training to students who gain valuable skills and certification from OSHA as well as the National Center for Construction Education and Research while helping to rehabilitate affordable housing in their communities; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, affiliations with construction partners such as the NYC District Council of Carpenters, Building Skills NY and private developers, enable its students to be placed in construction jobs; and WHEREAS, DREAMS YouthBuild's dedicated staff provides a supportive environment with wrap around social services, college and career counseling, job readiness and placement, mentoring, leadership opportunities and community service projects; and WHEREAS, Established in 2007, DREAMS YouthBuild is part of the New York City Department of Education's Pathways to Education program; since its inception, the program has successfully engaged over 300 youth from Crown Heights and surrounding neighborhoods in becoming Dedicated, Responsible, Educated, Accountable, Motivated and Self-Sufficient (DREAMS); and WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 11-year history, DREAMS YouthBuild has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and WHEREAS, The success of DREAMS YouthBuild is in direct correlation to the efforts of its Director Ditashiah Kohn, and its dedicated 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, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to DREAMS YouthBuild; and WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 11th Anniversary of the DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ditashiah Kohn, Director, DREAMS YouthBuild Young Adult Training Program.