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WHEREAS, Friendship Circle was founded in 2006 by Rabbi Mordy and Rivkee Rudolph, with a mission of building a more inclusive Pittsburgh where youth and young adults of all abilities are firmly connected in the community through friendship, access to wellness supports, and meaningful employment opportunities; and,
WHEREAS, what started as paired friendships and weekly programs has grown into a movement transforming Pittsburgh into a more inclusive, accessible, and empowered community; and,
WHEREAS, Friendship Circle impacts more than 500 individuals annually through more than 450 programs; and,
WHEREAS, from 2024 to 2025, 1,800 students engaged through The Beacon’s Clubs in Schools initiative, 23 adults trained through Bunny Bakes employment program, and nine employees with disabilities were hired at Bunny Bakes (a 78% retention rate); and,
WHEREAS, Friendship Circle demonstrates that inclusive communities are stronger communities and that when people of all abilities lead together, work together, and advocate together, everyone benefits; and,
WHEREAS, as Friendship Circle enters its third decade, it remains committed to facilitating opportunities for meaningful relationship building and friendship formations; expanding inclusive employment opportunities; reaching more Pittsburgh teens; deepening advocacy work to make Pittsburgh a more accessible city; and proving that communities are incomplete without everyone's inclusion;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh congratulates Friendship Circle on twenty years of building community to make Pittsburgh more inclusive and thanks it for its work; and,
BE IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Sunday, April 19th, to be “Friendship Circle Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.