Senate Resolution No. 490 BY: Senator STEC COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of Greater Adirondack Home Aides WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and organizations to be recognized for the significance of their contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Greater Adirondack Home Aides; and WHEREAS, Greater Adirondack Home Aides is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 by a group of individuals in Glens Falls who recognized the need for trained professionals to assist families during times of illness and stress as well as the elderly in their daily living activities; this group of volunteers established the organization as the Greater Adirondack Warren County Homemaker Service; and WHEREAS, In 1966, the pioneers behind the organization recruited, trained, and employed a team of 12 Homemakers to begin providing services; as the service expanded, the Board of Directors hired an Executive Secretary who managed the agency from her home while also raising a family; and WHEREAS, The agency's growth led to a move to a small office, where a supervising nurse was added in 1974 to further support the services provided; and WHEREAS, The first decade of the agency was characterized by the dedication of its Board and staff, who worked tirelessly to create a service known for its excellence; the agency's training program became one of the first in the state to be approved for Medicare services, and the organization earned recognition from the National Home Caring Council; by 1975, 18 Home Health Aides had provided over 19,000 hours of service; and WHEREAS, In the agency's second decade, its reputation for high-quality care continued to grow as demand for home healthcare services increased; the name was changed to reflect the expansion of services to include Washington and Saratoga Counties; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the office moved to accommodate additional staff, bringing the team to over 80 trained men and women providing care to neighbors in need; by 1985, in the agency's 20th year, its Home Health Aides had provided more than 115,000 hours of service; and WHEREAS, With the tradition of care continuing into the 21st century, Greater Adirondack Home Aides is fully licensed by the New York State Department of Health; it offers thorough initial training and ongoing education for its aides, who are supervised by registered nurses, and its services are primarily aimed at supporting the elderly and convalescing individuals, with additional respite care available; and WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Greater Adirondack Home Aides has remained dedicated to serving those in need, and will continue to provide high-quality, compassionate care to its valued clients; 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 60th Anniversary of Greater Adirondack Home Aides; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Greater Adirondack Home Aides.