Honoring Maryann Riordan for 40 years of service to Westchester and New York State

Senate Resolution No. 2252

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

        HONORING  Maryann  Riordan for 40 years of service
        to Westchester and New York State

  WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies  and  serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

  WHEREAS, Maryann Riordan has been called upon to contribute her time
and  talents  to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and

  WHEREAS, In 1965, Maryann Riordan joined  the  Cardinal  Mc  Closkey
Home  and  School for Children in White Plains, New York where she would
care for dozens of children; and

  WHEREAS, In 1972, Maryann would meet Stephen Riordan whom she  would
marry on June 19, 1976; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1973,  Maryann  Riordan moved to the Westchester Group
Homes run by the Division for Youth;  the  next  year  she  and  Stephen
became  the full time live in House Parents at the White Plains home for
teenage girls and for  the  next  seven  years  they  provided  everyday
essential services, a safe environment and developed a flexible activity
plan  so  that,  as the young women were ready to move on, they had help
with their transition back to their home community,  housing  needs  for
independent living, or college application; and

  WHEREAS,  With  the  State closure of the White Plains group home in
1980, Maryann and Stephen  Riordan  were  approved  through  the  County
Department  of  Social Services to be foster parents in order to allow a
current resident of the group home to finish her Senior  year  at  White
Plains High School; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1984, Maryann Riordan developed the Independent Living
Program at  Westchester  Residential  Opportunities  (WRO)  after  being
recruited  and  referred  by  the  Department of Community Mental Health
staff; the program focused on finding housing for mental health  clients
and providing support services so they can remain in the community; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1993,  after  many  years  of success with Independent
Living, Maryann Riordan and the WRO Independent housing team applied for
and received Federal funding to begin the Shelter Plus Care  Program  in
Westchester County; and

  WHEREAS,  Maryann  Riordan  has given not only her time and energies
but also her competence, intelligence and  leadership  and  consequently
has been designated for special honor; and

  WHEREAS,  Maryann  Riordan's  40 years of service to Westchester and
New York State residents came to an end in 2008, when  she  transitioned
to assisting in raising her eight grandchildren; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  the  entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Maryann Riordan has  stood  constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and

  WHEREAS,  During  the  course  of Maryann Riordan's housing service,
more  than  180  independent  housing  units  were  secured   throughout
Westchester   in   Peekskill,  Pelham,  Yonkers,  Katonah,  Mt.  Vernon,
Tarrytown, New Rochelle, Yorktown and White Plains; and

  WHEREAS, With her throughout has been  her  beloved  husband  of  50
years,  Stephen  Riordan,  who  has  felt privileged to be a part of her
fruitful life and rejoices in her many achievements; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual for the benefit of others which Maryann Riordan has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Maryann Riordan for 40 years of service  to  Westchester  and  New
York State; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Maryann Riordan.