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WHEREAS, On May 5, 1978, in Burlington Vermont, two lifelong friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened the very first Ben & Jerry's. These two friends got their initial training in the ice cream business at Penn Sate University, and grew their initial $12,000 investment into a global icon that is now known throughout the world; and,
WHEREAS, Initially founded in 1927 by the National Council of Jewish Women, the organization now known as Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania's mission is to continue its comprehensive and innovative role of assisting persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment to achieve independence and dignity through productive employment opportunities; and,
WHEREAS, Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania will operate the first Ben & Jerry's located in Downtown Pittsburgh to help further their mission to provide innovative employment opportunities for the population that they serve. Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania also currently operates the Ben & Jerry's located in Squirrel Hill; and,
WHEREAS, RWIV Construction, LLC. served as the owner's rep for the Downtown Pittsburgh Ben & Jerry's. RWIV Construction, LLC. helped lead an unprecedented 90% MBE participation level in partnership with other Pittsburgh based minority owned companies such as Jalar Construction, LLC., Emerald Electrical, LLC., RZ Housing, L.P., and DM & K Construction, LLC.; and,
WHEREAS, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream is now located in the Cultural District of the City of Pittsburgh at 936 Penn Avenue and will attract Pittsburgher's from throughout the City to help share in the powerful mission of Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby welcome the newest Ben & Jerry's to Downtown Pittsburgh and does hereby commend Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania for their participation in this project.