Recognizing the YMCA Black Achievers Program for all that it does to build and promote strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, and designating Thursday, February 28, 2002, as "YMCA Black Achievers Day."

WHEREAS, The purpose of the YMCA Black Achievers Program, when it was founded in 1971, was to help minority youth set and achieve high educational and professional goals through interactions with successful African-American adults; and

WHEREAS, The YMCA Black Achievers Program was established with the following goals and objectives: Overcoming barriers that affect successful completion of high school and successful transition to college or vocational training; acknowledging minority adults who have achieved professional success; creating channels for continuing community involvement by business and industry; exposing African-American youth to a variety of career or vocational options; connecting with other organizations and programs in order to recruit adult volunteers and youth participants; and establishing relationships with businesses, colleges, and service providers that can provide program resources; and

WHEREAS, The Black Achievers Program seeks to promote and teach the YMCA character values: respect, honesty, caring, and responsibility. These character values are enhanced by the Career Cluster workshops where youth and professionals interact in activities such as: career exploration and workplace tours, lifeskills and self-esteem workshops, college tours and scholarship opportunities, cultural activities, mentoring and advising; and

WHEREAS, The Black Achievers Program has operated in the Philadelphia area since 1991. Over 1,200 youth have benefited from interacting with successful adults from diverse companies citywide; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes the YMCA Black Achievers Program for all that it does to build and promote strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, and designating Thursday, February 28, 2002, as “YMCA Black Achievers Day.”

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Linda White, Director of the YMCA Black Achievers Program, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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