Senate Resolution No. 3077

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

        HONORING   Executive   Director   Sister  Paulette
        LoMonaco upon the occasion of her  retirement  after
        50  years  of distinguished service to Good Shepherd
        Services

  WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community  life
in  this  noble  Empire  State  is  nourished  and fulfilled through the
faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who would  commit  their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute  to  those  individuals  and  organizations
which  distinguish  themselves  through their unremitting commitment and
service to humanity; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Executive  Director  Sister  Paulette  LoMonaco upon the occasion of her
retirement after 50 years of  distinguished  service  to  Good  Shepherd
Services; and

  WHEREAS,  Sister  Paulette LoMonaco rendered faithful, conscientious
and valuable service to Good Shepherd Services, earning the  admiration,
esteem and affection of her fellow sisters and colleagues; and

  WHEREAS,  A  leading youth development, education and family service
agency, Good Shepard Services works  with  30,000  children,  youth  and
families annually; and

  WHEREAS,  Under Sister Paulette LoMonaco's esteemed leadership, Good
Shepard Services has become one of New York City's most respected  youth
service providers; and

  WHEREAS,  In  this  capacity,  Sister  Paulette LoMonaco served with
loyalty, honor and distinction, and was governed by a keen sense of duty
and always showed a unique grasp of human problems in her official acts;
throughout her tenure,  the  agency  has  addressed  emerging  needs  by
piloting  innovative  models  that  can  be  used more broadly to inform
policy debates and enhance outcomes for youth within NYC and beyond; and

  WHEREAS, Sister Paulette LoMonaco  was  a  founding  member  of  the
Neighborhood  Family  Services Coalition, and she has served on numerous
boards and government advisory boards including the Stella  and  Charles
Guttman  Foundation,  the  Human Services Council, the Council of Family
and Children Caring Agencies and SCO Family of Services; and

  WHEREAS, Sister Paulette LoMonaco worked  with  the  New  York  City
Government  to  design  the  pilot after-school programs; she was also a
force behind the development of transfer  schools  which  offered  adult
schools a second chance at a good education; and

  WHEREAS,  Sister Paulette LoMonaco was also instrumental in altering
policies in New York City's foster care system;  she  helped  shift  the

emphasis  from  removing  children  from  troubled  homes  to supporting
families so children can stay with their parents; and

  WHEREAS,  The  success  of  Good  Shepherd  Services  is  in  direct
correlation  to  the  efforts  of  Executive  Director  Sister  Paulette
LoMonaco,  whose  involvement over this past half-century 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 Good  Shepherd  Services  and  the  community  it
serves; and

  WHEREAS,  Sister Paulette LoMonaco earned a master of arts in Family
and Community Relations from Teachers College of Columbia University and
a bachelor's degree in  history/education  from  American  International
College;    she    completed   Columbia   University's   Institute   for
Not-For-Profit Management in 1984 and has honorary doctorates  from  St.
Francis College and Fordham University; and

  WHEREAS,  Sister  Paulette LoMonaco is also a recipient of the Robin
Hood Hero's Award, a Lewis Hine Award, and was selected by City &  State
as  one  of New York's 50 Over 50 and Power 100; she was also the winner
of the inaugural New York Times Excellence Award for overall  management
excellence in 2007; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the custom of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of Sister Paulette LoMonaco, who has devoted  her  life  to  the
benevolent  care  of  others  with an overwhelming spirit of charity and
love; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  Executive  Director Sister Paulette LoMonaco upon the occasion of
her retirement after 50 years of distinguished service to Good  Shepherd
Services, and wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors; and
be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sister Paulette LoMonaco.