City Council:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP
OF
JOANNE DUNN
Whereas, the great City of Mount Vernon, NY joins together to recognize the service and leadership of JOANNE DUNN; and
Whereas, JOANNE DUNN is well known for her passionate advocacy for reforming the criminal justice system and her focus on promoting more humane and effective approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration; and
Whereas, JOANNE DUNN is currently the Executive Director of the Youth Shelter Program inf Westchester. She is the first woman to lead this one-of-a-kind agency that was conceived by a Westchester judge and schoolteacher to address the need for early intervention in the lives of young offenders. Its Emerging Adult Justice Initiative partners with the Mount Vernon City Court and the 9th Judicial District; and
Whereas, some might say that JOANNE DUNN was called for this service. Her childhood experience of having an incarcerated parent becoming homeless and living in a shelter with her four siblings certainly would have dictated an unfavorable outcome. However, Ms. Dunn has taken each experience to cultivate a professional career that advocates and empowers vulnerable youth. Ms. Dunn says, “This is personal for me.” With that resolve, she has taken on the mission to provide housing for our youth as an option for jail and prison, and to address their emotional and educational needs, Ms. Dunn states, “I want to be the caring adult in their lives, the one who pushes them to overcome their situations.” Ms. Dunn mirrors these sentiments from her firsthand experiences with her “foster mother,” Ms. Valerie Swan, whom she affectionally refers to as her “saving grace”; and
Whereas, We are proud of Ms. Dunn’s influence and impact on the community. This well-deserved recognition tonight from the Westchester Black Bar Association, along with previous accolades from the Business Council of Westchester 40 Under 40 Rising Star Award, the Westchester Multicultural Chamber’s Community Service Award, Westfair Communications 2023 Women Innovators Award, not only speaks to her professional acumen, but it also speaks to her passion and pledge to positively impact her community; Now, Therefore, be it
Resolved, that the City Council joins with the citizens of the City of Mount Vernon, NY, the many colleagues, and friends in recognition of the exemplary commitment, leadership, and contributions of JOANNE DUNN. We thank you for your dedication. You genuinely pave the way for future generations.