Honoring Counseling or Assistance Services (CORA) for their semicentennial and their service to the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia takes great pleasure in recognizing those who, through dedication and excellence, contribute in a meaningful way to the wellbeing of their communities and throughout the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Counseling or Assistance Services (CORA) was founded in 1971 by Sister Charity Kohl. Using the resources from the Good Shepard Sister, in their first year, they aided 600 children. In those early years, they operated primarily in Northeast Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, In the early 2000s, the Sisters of the Good Shepard gave new land to CORA. On that land, the organization built housing units, a conference center, the Early Years Fox Chase program, and the Career Development Resource Center; and

WHEREAS, Having been founded in 1971, CORA celebrated its semicentennial and its expanded services on October 9, 2021; and

WHEREAS, CORA has been a vital community staple. Since their inception, their sole mission has been to serve children. They believe in promoting individual growth, helping heal fractured households, focusing on trauma prevention efforts, and offering an array of referral services

; and

WHEREAS, CORA provides after school programs at several schools, including Gilbert Spruance Elementary School, the J.H. Brown School, Northeast Community Propel Academy, Disston Elementary School, the Thurgood Marshall School, Northwood Academy Charter School, Robert Pollock Elementary School, and the St. Martin de Porres School; and

WHEREAS, Their after-school programs provide children with homework help, literacy programming, STEM, arts, sports, and technology. They also help children and families experiencing emotional, behavioral, or situational difficulties. In addition to those services, CORA offers mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and curbing juvenile justice issues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Extends its sincere gratitude to CORA for their extraordinary service to our City. We wish them success in the days ahead.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Counseling or Assistance Services (CORA) as evidence of the City Council of Philadelphia’s sincere appreciation and admiration for their service.

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