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WHEREAS, the Homeless Children's Education Fund (HCEF) was established in 1999 to serve as an advocate for the children and youth experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, and to support the educational needs of over 4,100 children experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County with access to free, high quality, educational programs; and,
WHEREAS, the HCEF manages Learning Centers and Educational programs for 27 shelters throughout the city and county, working to provide children experiencing homelessness with a comfortable and safe environment in which to learn and express their creativity; and,
WHEREAS, the HCEF's Teen Outreach Program (TOP) provides educational resources, tutors and mentors to unstably housed teenagers in three Pittsburgh high schools; and,
WHEREAS, in 2019 the HCEF presented $2,500 Hope through Learning Awards to 6 Pittsburgh high school graduates, who had experienced homelessness; and,
WHEREAS, the HCEF's "mini-grant" program has provided homeless sheltering organizations with the opportunity to sponsor educational enrichment events and field trips for the children in their care - creating opportunities for active learning, stress reduction, and family bonding; and,
WHEREAS in order to focus the attention of the Pittsburgh region on the amazing work of the Homeless Children's Education Fund and to bring to the forefront the serious issues that the HCEF works tirelessly to solve, the week of October 13th to October 19th, 2019 has been designated Homeless Children's Awareness Week; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh local events of Homeless Children's Awareness Week, will include a presentation of the HCEF Stand Up for Homeless Children performance art installations in Market Square;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends and celebrates the efforts of the Homeless Children's Education Fund and joins them in commemorating Homeless Children's Awareness Week...
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