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WHEREAS, The Watchful Shepherd USA is celebrating 30 years of protecting children since the program was first initiated at Canonsburg General Hospital in 1993; and,
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WHEREAS, The Watchful Shepherd was founded by the late Joe Femiani, who was distraught by a tragic news story about a young girl who died at the hands of her father. Using similar technology found in “Lifeline” for homebound senior citizens, Femiani conceived a wrist band allowing abused and neglected children to summon local emergency response at the press of a button; and,
WHEREAS, what began as a pilot program in Washington County PA, has grown into a national non-profit family abuse prevention program, which has been used free of charge by numerous agencies across the country, and has protected thousands of children between the ages of 3 and 18; and,
WHEREAS, The Watchful Shepherd USA also provides more discreet devices that can connect to an app on a mobile device capable of sending a text message to up to five pre-selected emergency contacts; and,
WHEREAS, on October 20, 2023, The Watchful Shepherd USA is holding a unique fundraising event similar to “Dancing with the Stars” called “Dancing For A Cause.” The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe and features celebrities teaming up with professional dance instructors from Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Most importantly, this worthwhile event helps to raise funds to fight child abuse; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend The Watchful Shepherd USA for providing such a unique and useful system of watching over our most valuable possessions: our children; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare, Tuesday, April 4, 2023 to be “The Watchful Shepherd USA Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.