WHEREAS, SHARE, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and the University of Pennsylvania Institute on Aging, is the first awards program to have the goal of improving the health and well-being of older adults who, because of their race, ethnicity or culture, face barriers to healthcare services.
WHEREAS, The program recognizes community based health care and social service organizations that meet diverse groups' unique cultural, ethnic and linguistic needs; and
WHEREAS, For over thirty years, Center in the Park has offered older adults programs and services to promote health aging. Programs include community involvement and volunteer activities in addition to a vibrant learning curriculum. The Center also offers comprehensive health care, including a primary care practice and fitness center, and health education program(s) specifically designed for older adults; and
WHEREAS, The Center began with one staff person and seventy-five members in one room and has grown into a staff of fifty occupying two buildings within Vernon Park offering programs with health promotion, wellness, nutrition, social, recreational and educational components to its over six thousands members; and
WHEREAS, The majority of the mainly African American population that are served in the Center are women. Such statistics, indicating that African American men are not taking advantage of services, were the basis of Center In The Park receiving a $200,000 SHARE Innovation Award for new approaches targeted to improving the health and well-being of African American male elders in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Through the Fulani Men's Health Project, the Center plans to build a network of activities and programs uniquely designed to support older African American men in improved self care and health and wellness awareness; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate 2001 SHARE award recipient CENTER IN THE PARK and applaud its efforts in improving the health of elder minorities.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the CENTER IN THE PARK as evidence of the respect and sincere regard of this legislative body.
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