Presenter
Presented by Mr. Deasy
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WHEREAS, Rachel Salinetro, a 17 year old senior at Langley High School in the West End, has been recognized as a "Community Champion" for her volunteer work as the Local Chapter President of Best Buddies International, an organization that "Changes people's lives one friendship at a time;" and
WHEREAS, Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization "dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment." Best Buddies is determined "to end social isolation for people with intellectual disabilities by establishing meaningful, lasting friendships with their non-disabled peers that help increase self-esteem, confidence and the abilities of people with and without intellectual disabilities;" and
WHEREAS, Rachel's involvement with the Best Buddies program started when she was in kindergarten at Shaeffer Elementary School, and now under Rachel's leadership the program at Langley High School, which is one of only four high schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania to offer the program, has seen the enrollment soar in one year from 22 to 38 active students; and
WHEREAS, Rachel's desire and motivation to help those who are less fortunate led her to join and take part in the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Church's mission work in Malawi, a country in Central Africa the summer of 2004 and to Alaska in the summer of 2005;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby acknowledges and commends Rachel Salinetro for her compassion and dedication to helping others and for inspiring her fellow peers to do the same.