WHEREAS,
National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the Week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since that time, every President, along with many governors, mayors and elected officials, have either signed proclamation(s) or made public statements in recognition of Volunteer Week; and
WHEREAS,
This year’s National Volunteer Week theme-“Celebrate the American Spirit-VOLUNTEER” pays homage to those who gave of their time and talents to help in the healing process of our hearts and communities after the September 11, 2001 attack on our country while seeking to encourage men, women and children to understand that helping both heals and promotes positive change in the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Studies on volunteerism clearly show that it provides a variety of personal benefits and satisfaction in addition to strengthening communities and individuals’ perceived personal stake within them. In addition, statistics- in 2000- showed that the dollar value of volunteer time was
$15.39
per hour and that households with at least one family member who volunteered gave a higher percentage of their household income to volunteer efforts than those did not have a volunteering family member; and
WHEREAS, National Volunteer Week is a time to say “Thank you” to the millions of volunteers who join with their neighbors, friends, family members and strangers to make outstanding contributions to their communities throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, The Good Shepherd Mediation Program seeks to empower Philadelphia community residents ,through the provision of programs and services geared to offering conflict resolution without resort to crime, violence or police intervention. Offering mediation, facilitation, training and consulting services, Good Shepherd is Philadelphia’s only full-service neighborhood justice center; and
WHEREAS,
The Good Shepherd Mediation program receives an average of 350 referrals per year from Family Court, Police, Youth Aid Panel, block captains and self-referrals with an array of issues that impact on the quality of life. Their ability to effectively ignite the spirit of volunteerism within the hearts of many citizens and groups within Philadelphia continues to be applauded on both a local and national level; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize April 21-27, 2002 as National Volunteer Recognition Week and commend the Good Shepherd Mediation Program for their exemplary efforts towards promoting the value of volunteerism within Philadelphia County.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Good Shepherd Mediation Program as evidence of the respect and sincere regard of this legislative body.
End