Body
WHEREAS, the purpose of Pittsburgh Public Schools Start On Success (SOS) program is to provide inner city, low income youth with cognitive disabilities the experiences and competencies necessary to graduate from high school, gain employment, and pursue post secondary education or training; and
WHEREAS, SOS believes in the importance of teaching youth the skills that they need to be successful in the workplace; and
WHEREAS, SOS provides students with a two-year career training program that includes both a community mentorship and a service learning project, in addition to a year long paid internship opportunity; and
WHEREAS, SOS targets their program towards students with cognitive disabilities and barriers to employment in seven Pittsburgh City Schools, including Oliver, Allderdice, Langley, Perry, Carrick, Peabody, and Westinghouse; and
WHEREAS, SOS partners with organizations such as The University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Allegheny General Hospital, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to provide internship job sites for participants; and
WHEREAS, SOS is included in the Pittsburgh School District's strategic plan and the Special Education State Plan as a means of reducing the drop out rate for students with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, since 2003 a 99% high school graduation rate has been maintained by those who have completed the SOS program.
Title
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the achievement of the Start on Success program and its dedication to the Pittsburgh Public Schools System and the children in the Pittsburgh community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares September 9, 2008 "Start on Success Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.