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WHEREAS, on October of 1987, Congress approved a law to support an anti-violence policy, recognizing in conjunction with the National YWCA a “Week Without Violence”, an initiative created by YWCA 20 years ago that mobilizes communities across the United States to take action against all forms of violence, wherever it occurs; and,
WHEREAS, it has been more than 4 years since 18-year-old ShaVaughn Kierra Wallace was killed in the North Side during her summer break from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the pain and heartbreak of that fateful day still felt by the community; and,
WHEREAS, this October 13-20, the City of Pittsburgh recognizes “Week Without Violence” in dedication of the Kierra Keeps Caring Foundation, which was established in honor of ShaVaughn Kierra Wallace by Vaughn Wallace and Carla Gaines-Robinson, the young teen's parents, nearly one year after young ShaVaughn's death in 2010, with a mission to reach out to parents and children to promote a positive quality of life and to eliminate the prevalence of violent acts against youth; and,
WHEREAS, the foundation works to educate youth about the essential skills needed to build character, develop communication skills, and motivate them towards acquiring a positive value system, with an emphasis on efforts to keep guns out of the hands of our youth; and,
WHEREAS, June 30th of this year marked the fourth year of the Kierra Keeps Caring Walk 4 Life and annual essay contest which attracted more than 500 supporters to award local high school seniors with scholarships; and,
WHEREAS, in honor and recognition of the “Week Without Violence”, the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the value of the foundation in memory of ShaVaughn Kierra Wallace and the work the foundation has down throughout Pittsburgh communities;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare October 15, 2013 to be “Kierra Keeps Caring Day” in the City of Pittsburgh....
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