WHEREAS, Youth violence has reached epidemic proportions in the City of Philadelphia resulting in more than 270 murders and more than 1300 shootings just this year; and
WHEREAS, Youth in their teens and early twenties constitute the largest demographic of perpetrators and victims of violence; and
WHEREAS, More funding for keeping Class A Recreation Centers open until 10p.m. on weekdays and 12a.m. on weekends would give youth a constructive alternative to destructive behaviors and violence; and
WHEREAS, More funding from all levels of government is needed for after-school and summer programs; and
WHEREAS, Reducing poverty is a critical factor in reducing crime and violence; and
WHEREAS, More funding is needed for job training programs like the Fleetway Program for training professional car detailers, and the Mantua Community Improvement Committee for training in neighborhood beautification and landscaping; and
WHEREAS, Allowing those receiving TANF benefits to meet work requirements by volunteering in public schools would permit them to obtain work experience while providing much needed support to students and teachers; and
WHEREAS, Young adults and others returning from incarceration, find it difficult to secure transitional housing and jobs and therefore, find it nearly impossible to successfully re-enter their communities; and
WHEREAS, City correctional facilities release some 35,000 ex-offenders back into the community each year; and
WHEREAS, The Work Opportunity Tax Credit of $2400.00 for hiring ex-offenders is an important initiative designed to reduce recidivism; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Government should double the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to employers that hire ex-offenders; and
WHEREAS, Post-release job training, placement, mentoring and other services are essential to reintegrating ex-offenders into communities; now therefore
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Calls on the Council Committee on Finance to Hold Hearings for a Call to Action to Stop the Violence by Providing Additional Funding for Job Training Programs, Extended Hours of Operation for School and Recreation Facilities, Extended TANF Benefits for those Working in Schools and Neighborhoods and Tax Credits and other Initiatives for Reintegrating Ex-offenders.
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