Senate Resolution No. 5068

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the Spanish
Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES to be celebrated on
May 17, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 40th Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly
Council-RAICES to be celebrated with a Gala on Thursday, May 17, 2018,
at the Green Building, Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, RAICES was founded in 1978 by retired Hispanic senior
citizens who saw the need for an organization which would provide
services, educate and organize the Latino, minority and low income aging
community in the borough of Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, RAICES responds to the unmet
needs of the Latino, African American and low income community, and
seeks to improve their quality of life through advocacy and the direct
provision of targeted services with work across the generations and a
particular emphasis on the needs of older adults; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization developed an "ethnic ramp" concept
towards improving access to services for older adults of color; in this
model, culturally and linguistically appropriate services are used as
tools to improve access and increase utilization of services for this
community; and

WHEREAS, RAICES currently operates nine direct service sites,
including seven senior centers, a case assistance division and a
licensed outpatient mental health clinic, the first geriatric outpatient
mental health clinic in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, RAICES provides over 107,000 meals per year
and across all sites the organization provides over 3,200 participants a
year with such additional services as health and wellness activities,
case assistance and management, educational classes, individual and
group psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management assistance;
and

WHEREAS, As a social service agency, RAICES recognizes the
importance, and places great value on applying innovative and creative
strategies in order to keep culturally and linguistically competent
services in the community; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 40-year history, RAICES has
demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which
it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of RAICES 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; the RAICES Team is
comprised of the Management Staff: Lisette Sosa-Dickson, LCSW Executive
Director; Yvonne Cotto, Associate Director; Suyapa Hernandez, MSW Deputy
Director; and Raquel Ortiz Terron, LCSW Clinical Director; and the Board
of Directors: Nancy Talavera, M.D. , Chairperson Psychiatrist, Private
Practice; Rose W. Gaynus, Community Coordinator, Visions; Jose Labrador,
Retired; and Ed Salas CEO/President, SalCare Home Health Services, Inc.;
and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to RAICES; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 40th Anniversary of the Spanish Speaking Elderly
Council-RAICES to be celebrated on May 17, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, and the
aforementioned members of the Management Staff and the Board of
Directors.