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WHEREAS, on July 8, 2007, Jay Donaldson's beloved eldest son Jehru Donaldson was gunned down in needless violence by youth on the streets of the Northside; and
WHEREAS, within a month of Jehru Donaldson's death, Jay Donaldson announced to 500 attendees the creation of a new organization dedicated to getting young people off the streets and engaged in positive activities; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Donaldson and his son and co-founder Jakim have created the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Group, leading a community movement dedicated to combating urban violence and showing young people an alternative to gangs, prison, and an early grave; and
WHEREAS, “P.R.O.M.I.S.E.” stands for “Protecting and Restoring the Order of Mankind with the Initiative of Serving Elders,” referring to partnership among elders and youth toward mutual benefit; and
WHEREAS, the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Program now includes the Jehru M. Donaldson Scholarship Foundation, The P.r.o.m.i.s.e. Book Club, and The Youth For Change Mentoring Program; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Donaldson organized the “Stop the Violence” peace rally at West Park on the North Side on June 14, 2008, co-sponsored by many groups including the Pittsburgh Project; One Vision, One Life; the Urban League; Bidwell Training Center; Mosque #22; the Langston Hughes Poetry Society; and several local rappers and spoken word artists; and
WHEREAS, the Jehru M. Donaldson Scholarship Foundation has recently awarded its first two $500 scholarships to Oliver High School graduates; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Donaldson has recently partnered with Professor Eddie Rose to start the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Martial Arts & Fitness Program, a ground-breaking program geared to providing self-defense, physical fitness and health, in addition to status and reward, identity and belonging, and moral and social significance; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Donaldson's message is a very positive one: bringing the community together toward stopping violence and mentoring youth;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED t...
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