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WHEREAS, the Homeless Children's Education Fund has worked for over a decade to ensure that children facing homelessness in the Pittsburgh region have equal access to educational opportunities as other children; and
WHEREAS, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act states that children are homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
WHEREAS, children of all ages are negatively impacted by homelessness in the areas of physical health, emotional and behavioral development, and academic performance; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, 1.6 million American children experienced homelessness, with more than 31,000 of those youths residing in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, the national school dropout rate for children facing homelessness is 60 percent higher than for children who do not face the same challenges during the school year; and
WHEREAS, Act 123 was signed into law last year, establishing a commission under the Pennsylvania Department of Education to study and determine the schooling needs of youth experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Homeless Children's Education Fund has, since its founding in 1999, established twelve agency-based Learning Centers across the City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area in an effort to combat the difficulties faced by disadvantaged youths in attaining a quality education; and
WHEREAS, many events will take place during Homeless Children's Awareness Week in Pittsburgh, including a storytelling event, a performance installation, and a 5k Run/Walk and 10k Race for Homeless Children in North Park;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the Homeless Children's Education Fund, its staff, and volunteers for their dedication and their sincere service to the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the week of October 13 through 19, 2013 to be “Homeless Chil...
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