Congratulating Germantown Settlement and its family of agencies on receiving The Second Annual Children's Crusader Award and commending their efforts to address child abuse and neglect issues within both Germantown and Philadelphia at large.

WHEREAS, Over the past sixteen years Germantown Settlement has provided various services that promote positive outcomes for children who are considered high risk due to environmental and social conditions that they did not create yet remain most vulnerable to; and

WHEREAS, Germantown Settlement recognized long ago that children were in trouble and in need of intervention and support in order to overcome stereotypical and all too often predictable outcome(s) such as delinquency, teenage pregnancy and an alarmingly high early mortality rate; and

WHEREAS, Through its Division of Services to Children and Youth (DSCY), Germantown Settlement has established various programs that address the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Utilizing a coordinated system of services for children, youth and families throughout the Philadelphia region and in collaboration with public and private sectors, such programs have produced both successful and measurable outcomes; and

WHEREAS, The staff of Germantown Settlement is dedicated to delivering these essential services with creativity, quality and high standards of excellence at all times. They remain keenly aware of the fact that they are role models for many of the youth they serve and, as such, carry themselves in the appropriate manner. They remain, above all, creative in their style of interaction and true advocates for the betterment of all youth; and

WHEREAS, For the past 117 years, Germantown Settlement has been a pillar of resources for, and collaborated with, agencies, such as community centers, schools and Institutions, local law enforcement and local government to bring about positive changes in youth behavior and attitudes towards their parents, schools and communities; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Congratulate and salute Germantown Settlement on their tireless efforts to provide services to youth and eradicate barriers to self-sufficiency and their selection for the second annual Children’s Crusader Award.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Emmanuel Freeman, CEO of Germantown Settlement and Emma Cummings Freeman, Director - Division of Services to Children and Youth as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body and in recognition of the agency’s long and distinguished record of service to the community.

CERTIFICATION: This is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the Fifth day of April, 2001.

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