Honoring the heroic efforts of professional caregivers and first responders, and declaring February 15, 2018, as Caregivers and First Responders' Day in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders provide stability and a wide range of ongoing and emergency supportive services to our most vulnerable citizens including children, the elderly, and people with intellectual, physical, or emotional challenges, and including many who have experienced trauma and toxic stress, which can impact life-long functioning and health; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, caregivers, both paid and unpaid, provide an estimated $450 billion in services each year; and

WHEREAS, Two out of every five paid home care attendants live in poverty and on unsustainable wages; and

WHEREAS, Significant rates of secondary trauma (also known as vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue) are experienced among many professional caregivers and first responders, including child welfare workers, firefighters, police, therapists, medical personnel and many others; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that 34 million family caregivers in the United States provide uncompensated care; and

WHEREAS, Around 5.5 million caregivers in the United States provide military members and veterans who are wounded or ill with comprehensive and critical services, helping heal those who have risked their lives for our country; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders who step up to the plate based on their profession or family ties give of their own time and well-being so that others may live their fullest lives with dignity and independence; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders remind us that one of life’s greatest gifts is to be able to support and recognize the humanity of our neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers’ and First Responders daily work is a testament to the generosity and grace that help fuel a more humane and just society; and

WHEREAS, Many caregivers are on the forefront of the equity and justice movements, and are currently leading the “Fight for $15” and other efforts to make care work sustainable; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders are unsung heroes who hold families and communities together, provide immense emotional and physical labor, and are too seldom applauded for the sacrifices they make every day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors the heroic efforts of Caregivers and First Responders and declares February 15, 2018 as Caregivers and First Responders’ Day in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be sent to the producers of

CAREgivers Film

(Lifedream Films LLC ), Philadelphia ACES Task Force, District Council 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (AFSCME-AFLCIO), United Home Care Workers of Pennsylvania, and AFSCME District Council 47.

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