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A RESOLUTION honoring Darlene Thomas upon receiving the 2024 Jean 1
Sabharwal Award from Bluegrass Families First. 2
WHEREAS, each year, Bluegrass Families First recognizes an individual who has 3
demonstrated passionate advocacy for Lexington's children and families; and 4
WHEREAS, Bluegrass Families First bestows the Jean Sabharwal Award to an 5
individual who has dedicated his or her professional career to its mission to promote and 6
provide opportunities for high quality early childhood development, education, health, 7
and human services for Lexington families in their progress towards self-sufficiency; and 8
WHEREAS, Bluegrass Families First has chosen Darlene Thomas to be the 9
recipient of the 2024 Jean Sabharwal Award; and 10
WHEREAS, Darlene Thomas has served as founder and executive director of 11
GreenHouse17 since 2004. GreenHouse17, which serves 17 central Kentucky counties, is 12
an advocacy agency committed to ending intimate partner abuse and its impact on 13
families and the community. GreenHouse17 gives survivors the unique opportunity of 14
living and working in the fresh air of its 40-acre farm; and 15
WHEREAS, Darlene Thomas has been responsible for direct service, 16
comprehensive program development, and community engagement for social change 17
efforts in her 33-year career as an advocate for survivors of power-based violence; and 18
WHEREAS, Darlene Thomas provides leadership for multiple community 19
collaborators and committees; provides expert testimony on legal cases; facilitates 20
professional development training for local, state, national, and international forums; and 21
provides consultations for organizations who are seeking strategies to reimagine their 22
service; and 23
WHEREAS, under Darlene Thomas' leadership, GreenHouse17 programs and 24
services have received statewide and national awards for innovation including: 25
Commerce Lexington Nonprofit Community Impact Award, National Shelter of the Year 26
Purple Ribbon Award, Theresa Mary Byron Foundation Celebrating Solutions Award, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 907
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the Kentucky Nonprofit Network Innovative Award, the Center for Nonprofit Excellency 1
Pyramid Award for Social Innovation, and was a Partnership for Freedom/Reimagine 2
Opportunity national finalist. Ms. Thomas currently serves as past president and 3
legislative chair for the ZeroV, Kentucky's domestic violence coalition; 4
NOW, THEREFORE, 5
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 6
Kentucky: 7
Section 1. The Senate herby honors Darlene Thomas upon receiving the 2024 8
Jean Sabharwal Award from Bluegrass Families First. 9
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor of Darlene 10
Thomas. 11
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 12
Resolution to Senator Reginald Thomas for delivery. 13