Recognizing The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) Homeless Health Initiative and "National Hunger and Homelessness Week."

WHEREAS, In the late 1980’s, a group of pediatric residents at CHOP recognized that there were many unmet healthcare needs of local homeless children and banded together to form the Homeless Health Initiative; and

WHEREAS, This program offers Philadelphia’s homeless children access to compassionate, free healthcare, and dental screenings in local shelters; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 20 years later, CHOP’s Homeless Health Initiative provides the City’s neediest children with high-quality, culturally respectful pediatric care and health education; and

WHEREAS, To encourage public discourse on behalf of children most in need, CHOP will host a Homeless Health Initiative Regional Conference on Monday, November 12, 2007 that will bring together professional and community leaders to focus on the current needs of children in shelters. Through education, sharing resources and the building of networks and partnerships, this program will help ensure the delivery of services to a greater number of children living in shelters; and

WHEREAS, This conference will be held in support and recognition of “National Hunger and Homelessness Week,” occurring from November 11, 2007 through November 18, 2007; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize “National Hunger and Homelessness Week” and commend The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Homeless Health Initiative for its continued commitment towards providing pediatric care and health education for homeless children throughout the City.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a sincere expression of this City Council’s gratitude and appreciation for CHOP’s work to improve the quality of life for the children of Philadelphia.

End