Assembly Resolution No. 2010

BY: M. of A. Bronson

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of Mary Cariola
Center

WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations to be recognized for the significance of their
contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Mary Cariola Center; and

WHEREAS, Mary Cariola Center has a rich tradition of providing
innovative programs to individuals with complex disabilities through
personalized, interdisciplinary, evidence-based education and life skill
solutions which inspire and empower them and their families; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1896, Mary Cariola and her family moved to an
Italian-American community in Rochester when she was a child; as a
teenager, she served as an interpreter and advocate for her immigrant
neighbors who had difficulty communicating in their new culture; this
was just the beginning of her fight for other people's rights; and

WHEREAS, Later, Mary Cariola worked as a deputy employment
certification officer for the Rochester Board of Education, and then as
a caseworker for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to children,
where she observed the hardships of discrimination, poverty, and
unacceptable treatment of children; and

WHEREAS, In the 1940s, children with disabilities were often placed
in institutions; Mary Cariola's nephew, Butchie, was born with severe
developmental and physical disabilities, and she could not imagine him
being institutionalized; and

WHEREAS, Mary Cariola took the initiative and joined forces with six
other families and business leaders, to raise the necessary funds, and
founded The Day Care Center for Handicapped Children, designed to
provide social, recreational and vocational experiences for children not
eligible for public school, within the limits of their capacity; the
Center opened in 1949 with eight students; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, the Center was renamed Mary Cariola Center, 10
years before her death, to honor her dedication to offering the highest
quality innovative educational programs and small group homes for
individuals with complex disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Mary Cariola Center was the first in the nation to open a
group home for children and youth with significant behavior management
needs, and the first to offer a sensory room which uses special

lighting, music, and objects as a therapy for children with limited
communication skills; and

WHEREAS, Today, Mary Cariola Center serves more than 450 students
ages 3-21 in three school campuses, as well as nearly 50 residents in
six residential homes; each day, students travel from over 50 referring
school districts from 11 surrounding counties in addition to Buffalo,
Syracuse, and Niagara Falls; and

WHEREAS, Mary Cariola Center School is recognized statewide for
innovative instructional strategies, design and construction of
therapeutic equipment and educational programs for children and youth
with complex cognitive, medical, social, and behavioral needs; and

WHEREAS, The residential program provides 24-hour care in a family
setting to individuals with multiple disabilities and behavior
management needs; the program's six residential facilities located
throughout Monroe County focus on life skill development and assisting
individuals in experiencing all that life and their communities have to
offer; and

WHEREAS, The success of Mary Cariola Center is in direct correlation
to the efforts of its dedicated teachers, aides, and clinicians, 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 those
organizations which unselfishly devote their energy, talent and
thoughtful care on behalf of improving the quality and dignity of life
in the community, are worthy and due full praise and recognition for
their noble and dedicated efforts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Mary Cariola Center; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mary Cariola Center.