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J 2102

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of InterFaith Works of Central New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rachel May

The bill formally recognizes InterFaith Works of Central New York for 50 years of refugee, immigrant, aging, and interfaith equity work across Syracuse and Central New York.

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Bill Summary · J 2102

Bill at a Glance

  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Bill Type: Senate Resolution ( commemorative)
  • Bill Number: S. No. 2102
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Sponsor: Senator May (co-sponsor: Rachel May)
  • Title: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of InterFaith Works of Central New York
  • Status: Reported to Calendar for consideration and adopted (May 19, 2026);REFERRED to Finance earlier in the process

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill commemorates the 50th anniversary (in 2026) of InterFaith Works of Central New York, a Syracuse-based nonprofit.
  • It affirms the organization’s contributions to the civic, spiritual, and humanitarian fabric of Central New York.
  • The resolution honors InterFaith Works’ history, mission, and ongoing work to foster interfaith dialogue, equity, and community support.

Key Provisions

  • Formal Recognition: The resolution officially acknowledges and pays tribute to InterFaith Works of Central New York for five decades of service.
  • Recitation of Organization’s Mission and Work: It describes the organization’s evolution from the Syracuse Area Interreligious Council (founded in 1976) to a multifaceted center for:
    • Refugee, immigrant, and New American support (Center for New Americans) including resettlement, English classes, employment prep, immigration assistance, medical case management, mental health services, and cultural orientation.
    • Interfaith dialogue and action (Ahmad and Elizabeth El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action) aimed at advancing racial and social equity through dialogue, education, relationship-building, and action.
    • Healthy aging and related programs (Center for Healthy Aging) offering companionship, caregiver support, elder refugee services, and community connection.
    • Broader community engagement, including chaplaincy, interfaith initiatives, food justice, community-police conversations, anti-racism work, leadership development, and partnerships across faith communities, civic institutions, volunteers, employers, schools, and service providers.
  • Legacy Emphasis: Emphasizes the organization’s founding vision that faith communities can collaborate across differences to serve the common good.
  • Public Acknowledgment: The resolution expresses that Central New York celebrates this milestone as a testament to welcome, stability, dignity, and belonging for residents and newcomers.

Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Primary Beneficiary: InterFaith Works of Central New York (and its constituent programs: Center for New Americans, Center for Dialogue & Action, Center for Healthy Aging, and related initiatives).
  • Community Impact: The bill highlights impacts on refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, elderly and isolated neighbors, and broader interfaith and community networks in Syracuse and Central New York.
  • Public Recognition: State legislative acknowledgment may raise public awareness of the organization’s contributions and potentially influence public perception and philanthropic support.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Referral and Committee: Initially referred to the Finance Committee (per the action history).
  • Floor Consideration: Reported to the Calendar for consideration and subsequently adopted (May 19, 2026).
  • Effective Timing: As a commemorative resolution, it does not create statutory or fiscal obligations; it serves as formal recognition by the New York State Legislature.
  • Next Steps: Copy of the engrossed resolution to be transmitted to InterFaith Works of Central New York.

Overall Summary

This Senate Resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the New York State Legislature of InterFaith Works of Central New York’s 50-year history of interfaith collaboration, refugee and immigrant services, aging support, and community justice initiatives. It highlights the organization’s evolution from its 1976 roots to a multi-center organization dedicated to equity, belonging, and bridge-building in Syracuse and the broader Central New York region. The resolution is non-binding in a fiscal sense but signals strong official commendation and encouragement from the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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