Senate Resolution No. 3255

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen
Innovators program upon the occasion of its
designation as recipient of the National Arts and
Humanities Youth Program Award by the National
Endowment for the Arts

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 honor
Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen Innovators program upon the occasion
of its designation as recipient of the National Arts and Humanities
Youth Program Award by the National Endowment for the Arts, to be
celebrated on Monday, November 20, 2017, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard; and

WHEREAS, The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award
recognizes the country's best youth development programs, singling out
for recognition those which most effectively use engagement in the arts
and the humanities to generate a wide range of positive outcomes, such
as increases in academic achievement, graduation rates and college
enrollment; and

WHEREAS, The Teen Innovators program, a partnership with the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, is being recognized with the nation's highest honor
for youth programs for its effective approach to job preparedness; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the national recognition bestowed by receipt
of the prestigious award, Teen Innovators will also receive $10,000 to
support its programming and engage more young people in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1863, Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) is a
nationally recognized urban history center dedicated to preserving and
encouraging the study of Brooklyn's extraordinary 400-year history;
located in Brooklyn Heights and housed in a magnificent landmark
building, today's BHS, under the leadership of President Deborah
Schwartz, is a cultural hub for civic dialogue, thoughtful engagement
and community outreach; and

WHEREAS, Teen Innovators is a year-long afterschool and internship
program which provides young people with opportunities they may never
have imagined; and

WHEREAS, Through a deep dive into the businesses, careers and
culture of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Teen Innovators apply the skills of a
historian to work-readiness; they explore careers, workplace etiquette,
professional writing and communication, and the history of work and
workers at the Yard over the past century; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, students learn how to create a resume and
dress for success, acquire interview skills, and complete Human Resource

forms; the program culminates with a paid internship at one of the 330
businesses residing in the Brooklyn Navy Yard; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in 2012, the Teen Innovators program
has served 130 students, all from Title I schools in the Brooklyn Navy
Yard's surrounding communities; over that time, its teens have interned
with businesses as varied as their interests, including the
International Hispanic Television Network, Brooklyn Clay Industries, and
The Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm; and

WHEREAS, The Teen Innovators program is a truly essential investment
in not only the lives of its young people, but in the community-at-large
as well; nearly all of its teens are college-bound after high school
graduation, and many continue to work at Brooklyn Navy Yard companies as
paid summer interns; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the program reflects the impact of an
unconventional partnership between a cultural institution, BHS, and an
innovative business venture, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development
Corporation; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Teen Innovators program is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its 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 custom of this Legislative Body that when
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
honor Brooklyn Historical Society's Teen Innovators program upon the
occasion of its designation as recipient of the National Arts and
Humanities Youth Program Award by the National Endowment for the Arts;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to President Deborah Schwartz and the Brooklyn Historical
Society's Teen Innovators program.