Assembly Resolution No. 586

BY: M. of A. Cruz

COMMEMORATING the 15th anniversary of Comunilife's
Life is Precious program

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is greatly enriched by
the faithful and diligent work of those organizations which serve to
meet the needs 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 15th anniversary of Comunilife's Life is Precious
program; and

WHEREAS, Since 2008, Comunilife's Life is Precious (LIP) program has
provided suicide prevention activities to New York City Latina teens who
have seriously considered or attempted suicide; the teens ranging from
ages 12 to 18 are immigrants or first generation Americans and mostly
live in some of New York City's lowest income neighborhoods in the
Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Washington Heights; as well as Poughkeepsie and
Yonkers; and

WHEREAS, LIP's program philosophy of "Survive, Strive and Thrive"
means that the program serves as a safe place in which individuals
living with depression, suicide ideation, or other mental illnesses can
receive support, engage in activities that allow teens to develop their
unique voice, and access tools that help the teens envision and achieve
their goals; and

WHEREAS, Latina adolescent suicide has reached epidemic proportions
in New York State, having become the leading cause of death for Latina
teens; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic teens face a unique set of challenges with regard
to mental health; Hispanic culture can sometimes stigmatize talking
about mental health and issues outside the family, limiting access to
mental health providers; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 exacerbated these issues, adding an extra level of
stress due to social isolation, overcrowding, unemployment, housing and
food insecurity, inadequate remote learning opportunities, inability to
access financial relief due to immigration status, COVID related illness
and fatalities, and increased lack of outpatient mental health capacity;
and

WHEREAS, LIP offers program activities that include academic
support, wellness activities, expressive arts therapy and family
services; and

WHEREAS, To date, more than 600 Latina teens have participated in
LIP and their mental health has improved; research studying girls and
their success with the program discovered that for every month a Latina
teen participates in the LIP program her level of suicide ideation and
depression decreases; and


WHEREAS, Comunilife's goal is to show that LIP is a community
informed, evidence based model of care; the program directly addresses
the risk factors associated with Latina adolescent suicide, provides
culturally competent services that integrate cultural norms into all
program development, and incorporates the entire family; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Dr. Rosa M. Gil,
President and CEO of Comunilife, the Life is Precious program continues
to evolve and successfully address the needs of the Latina community
that struggle with mental health; and

WHEREAS, The success of Comunilife's Life is Precious program is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its Board of Directors and 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 institution 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 15th anniversary of Comunilife's Life is Precious
program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Comunilife and Dr. Rosa M. Gil.