LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the College and Community Fellowship
upon the occasion of hosting its 15th Annual Graduate Celebration on
June 4, 2015

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those organizations within our midst who have
made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary organizations and individuals it wishes to recognize for
their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and
publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic
humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the College
and Community Fellowship upon the occasion of hosting its 15th Annual
Graduate Celebration on Thursday, June 4, 2015, at the Interchurch
Center in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, College and Community Fellowship (CCF) helps formerly incar-
cerated women earn their college degrees by providing social coaching,
academic support, and career development training; formerly incarcerated
women from an oft-forgotten and growing population with a great deal to
contribute to college campuses and academia in general; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of its Executive Director since
2001, Vivian Nixon, CCF encourages economic stability and self-suffici-
ency, and truly changes the lives of the women who come through its
programs, as well as their families and communities; and
WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, CCF eliminates individual and
structural barriers to higher education, economic security and civic
participation for formerly incarcerated women; this vital organization
guides women seeking to reclaim their lives through the stages of higher
education while promoting their leadership, self-advocacy, artistic
impression and long-term success; and
WHEREAS, CCF's services begin with outreach within women's prisons in
New York State, New York City jails, and among the various community-
based and alternative to incarceration organizations that serve women
who are in the process of re-entry, recovery and rebuilding; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 2000, College and Community Fellowship helped six
women attend college after leaving prison in its first year; since that
time, hundreds more have advanced academically; cumulatively, CCF
Fellows have earned 46 associate, 120 bachelor, 61 master's degrees and
one Ph.D.; and
WHEREAS, This year's distinguished graduates include: Tiheba Bain, AA,
Bronx Community College, CUNY; Yolanda Harper, AAS, Bronx Community
College, CUNY; Zaida Sanchez, AA, Bronx Community College, CUNY; L'Tanya
Smith, AAS, Bronx Community College, CUNY; Lettisha Boyd, BA, School of
Professional Studies, CUNY; Courtnaye J. Charley, BA, the College of New
Rochelle; Kandra L. Clark, BA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice,
CUNY; Wanda M. Daniels, BA, the College of New Rochelle; Tammy Harris,
BA, the College of New Rochelle; Erica M. Heinze, BA, the College of New
Rochelle; Sileah Grant, BS, Kaplan University; Octrisha Parker, BA,
Lehman College, CUNY; Iris Bowen, MSW, Lehman College, CUNY; Luisa
Gonzalez, MSW, Hunter College, CUNY; and Sharon R. Stewart, MA, Capella
University; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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 College and Community Fellowship upon the occasion of host-
ing its 15th Annual Graduate Celebration on June 4, 2015; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vivian Nixon, Executive Director, College and Community
Fellowship.