WHEREAS, Stephanie Haynes has spent the last 30 years organizing and leading efforts to advance, connect, and better the lives of Philadelphians. She lives with her wife of 27 years and their twin sons in West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Stephanie Haynes joined Philadelphia Family Pride (PFP) in April 2009, starting with the organization as a part time Community Coordinator and was promoted to Executive Director in December of 2014; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Stephanie helped organize PFP’s first Family Matters Conference, which is now an annual gathering and the group’s largest educational event; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure with PFP, Stephanie has grown the organization’s reach and educational resources, including expanding Paths to Parenthood classes for prospective parents from one or two workshops a year to a summer long series of workshops covering everything from Assisted Reproduction to Adoption to Financial Planning for LGBTQ+ prospective parents; and
WHEREAS, PFP has held numerous standalone Foster Parent Information sessions to help recruit LGBTQ+ adults to become resource parents in Philadelphia, especially to serve LGBTQ+ youth in foster care under Stephanie’s leadership; and
WHEREAS, Stephanie has led 14 consecutive annual conferences for the organization, serving LGBTQ+ parents and prospective parents in the region with a day of workshops, speakers, resources and community building; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure, Stephanie has overseen hundreds of social gatherings where LGBTQ+ parents, prospective parents, grandparents and their kids have made lasting, supportive connections, and has worked to increase visibility and community for BIPOC families, including adding a Juneteenth picnic; and
WHEREAS, Stephanie has represented PFP at dozens of Pride events large and small in the greater Philadelphia region, including collaborating with the Pride 365 organizers to expand the Youth & Family Zone at Philly Pride starting in 2022; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, Stephanie served on the Philadelphia Youth Residential Placement Task Force, and as a member of the Philadelphia Mayor's Commission for LGBT Affairs, a position she's held since 2017; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 2024, she will step down from Philadelphia Family Pride after 15 years of service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and honor Stephanie Haynes for her impact as Executive Director of Philadelphia Family Pride.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Stephanie Haynes, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.
End