WHEREAS, The Hand-in-Hand Program was created in 1976 with the goal of breaking down barriers by uniting the entire Saint Joseph's community, area volunteers, and the disabled communities of the tri-state region; and
WHEREAS, George Carasiti, who created the Hand-in-Hand Program, recognized that society unjustly excluded people who were not in the "mainstream" and realized that all people enjoy many of the same things and can easily enjoy time together; and
WHEREAS, The first event was held on Gest Lawn and welcomed just under 600 people; and has grown a great deal to include activities, musical performances, DJs, mascots from local sports teams and television networks, and a large gathering with nearly 2000 people in attendance; and
WHEREAS, The Hand-in-Hand Program was named best student organization in 2000 and again in 2004 by Saint Joseph's Office of Student Leadership and Activities, and earned a 1988 Presidential Citation from the White House Office of Private Sector Initiatives for outstanding contributions to the American spirit of volunteerism and community action; and
WHEREAS, The program has also been honored by the Montgomery County Association for Retarded Citizens and the Elwyn Institute, and is the model for similar festivals at 10 other colleges and universities, including the University of Scranton, Johns Hopkins University, and Georgetown University; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend Saint Joseph’s University for the Hand-in-Hand Program on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Saint Joseph’s University as a symbol of this legislative body’s gratitude to the Hand-in-Hand Program as it seeks to change mindsets, open hearts, enrich lives, and break down the barriers of fears and ignorance that have isolated people with disabilities from the rest of society.
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