Recognizing and honoring the partnership between the Salvation Army and Walmart to support a peer mentoring program in North Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia's Peer Mentoring Program was established in 2013 with support from the Walmart Foundation to help break the cycle of poverty, violence, and hunger in the city; and

WHEREAS, that support allowed the Salvation Army to create a program based on previously successful models to provide far-reaching access for city residents in need of social services in several neighborhood community centers throughout North Philadelphia, and by offering these services in both English and Spanish in order to serve the Hispanic community; and

WHEREAS, the partnership between the Salvation Army and Walmart in Philadelphia has a long history, allowing the two to address important and critical issues by empowering those facing hardship and providing support in the move towards independence through counseling, trainings, and referrals; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives; and

WHEREAS, Since 1879 the Salvation Army has had a record of success stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the physical, emotional, economic, and spiritual needs of individuals; and

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army operates out of 16 community centers and residential facilities throughout the Philadelphia region, offering shelter, hot meals, counseling, developmental disability programs, early childhood development programs, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation programs; and

WHEREAS, The Walmart Foundation is committed to improving lives through its philanthropic efforts by addressing the needs of the communities it serves and making an impact in its core areas of giving such as Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Sustainability, Workforce Opportunity, and Women's Economic Empowerment, including a $2 billion commitment through the year 2015 to lead the fight against hunger in the United States; and

WHEREAS, This month the Walmart Foundation has renewed its dedication to the Salvation Army's Peer Mentoring Program by generously donating $50,000 to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia, bringing its contributions to this program to $150,000 and allowing the program to continue serving vulnerable individuals and encouraging healing and self-reliance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes and honors the partnership between the Salvation Army and Walmart to support a Peer Mentoring Program in North Philadelphia. We look forward to the positive impact this program will continue to have on the community it serves, and thank both The Salvation Army and the Walmart Foundation for their dedication to addressing critical issues in our City.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia and the Walmart Foundation as a sincere expression of the appreciation of this body.

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