[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1620-E1621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF NANCY WACKSTEIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 
                     LENOX HILL NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Nancy 
Wackstein, who has served as Executive Director of Lenox Hill 
Neighborhood House since October 1991. Ms. Wackstein has been a 
phenomenal director, helping to expand the array of services provided 
by Lenox Hill and ensuring that Lenox Hill continues to be a vital 
force in the community. After more than ten years of service, Ms. 
Wackstein has accepted the challenge of becoming Executive Director of 
United Neighborhood Houses of New York, the federation of the City's 37 
settlement houses and neighborhood centers.
  Founded over 100 years ago, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is 
dedicated to helping those in need who live, work , or go to school on 
Manhattan's East Side, primarily the Upper East Side, and to improving 
the quality of life for all individuals and families in the community. 
Each year, Lenox Hill serves over 20,000 people of different 
generations, cultures, means, and ethnic groups--children, teens, 
single parents, home-bound older adults and homeless people, among 
others.
  During her tenure at Lenox Hill, the House has expanded its 
innovative programs for seniors, young people, recreation and fitness 
and community education. Lenox Hill operates two senior centers, a 
community outreach program and other programs that serve more than 
2,800 senior citizens each year and their caregivers. Ms. Wackstein 
presided over the creation of the newest senior center, Lenox Hill 
Senior Center at St. Peter's Church, the first new senior center on the 
East Side of Manhattan in decades.
  The Early Childhood Center at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House was 
granted accreditation by the National Association for the Education of 
Young Children on December 6, 2001. This prestigious recognition, only 
achieved by approximately 7 percent of early childhood programs 
nationwide, certifies that Lenox Hill's early childhood program meets 
national standards of excellence in childcare. With after school 
programs, a teen center and a summer camp, Lenox Hill also provides a 
wide array of programs for older children.
  Lenox Hill provides invaluable assistance to residents of the East 
Side through its Neighborhood Information and Action Center. More than 
900 East Siders each year find help with landlord disputes, government 
entitlements and other concerns. Lenox Hill also provides educational 
programs for people needing training in computer skills, vocational 
rehabilitation and English as a second language.
  The comprehensive range of services available at Lenox Hill is due to 
Ms. Wackstein's determined leadership and unwavering commitment to 
service. She truly understands the needs of this community and has 
worked tirelessly to ensure that East Siders have a warm and friendly 
place to come to in times of trouble. Under her leadership, Lenox Hill 
Neighborhood House has continued to exemplify the best that the East 
Side has to offer.
  Before joining Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, Ms. Wackstein served as 
the Director of the Moay's Office on Homelessness and SRO Housing from 
1990-1991 under Mayor David Dinkins. She was Senior Policy Advisor for 
Human Services in Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins' office 
from 1986-1989, where she was also Staff Director for the Task Force on 
Housing. Ms. Wackstein serves on the Boards of Directors of several 
non-profit organizations, including the Human Services Council of New 
York, SAGE and the 9/11 United Services Group. In 1988, Ms. Wackstein 
received a Samuel and May Rudin Community Service Award for exceptional 
service to the homeless, and in 1991 the recognition award from the 
Settlement Housing Fund for her efforts to end homelessness.
  In recognition of these outstanding achievements, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in honoring Nancy Wackstein, an outstanding leader,

[[Page E1621]]

a compassionate individual and a truly remarkable director for Lenox 
Hill Neighborhood House. I wish her luck in her new position as head of 
United Neighborhood Houses.

                          ____________________