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WHEREAS, 20 years ago, the largest employer in Pittsburgh's Northside, Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) recognized it was surrounded by a large, involved and spirited group of neighborhoods in the Northside section of the city led by the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC), a vital, driven community coalition committed to addressing mutual concerns through a united approach in order to promote and enhance the vitality, quality of life and image of Pittsburgh's Northside; and
WHEREAS, together these two organizations decided to work together toward mutually beneficial goals, and memorialized that agreement called the Northside Partnership Agreement; and
WHEREAS, this partnership agreement has brought positive growth and change through its six major initiatives: Neighborhood Reinvestment, Homeownership and Marketing, Local Purchasing, Education and Employment, AGH Health Initiatives and the Northside Health Improvement Partnership; and
WHEREAS, the Northside Partnership proudly notes its accomplishments over the last two decades, most notably the Parkhurst Street Improvement Program involving the hospital, neighborhoods, City and medical offices, and the Stranger Awareness Program, sponsored by the AGH Auxiliary, creating a mentoring partnership between high school and K-3 students with a curriculum to help younger children understand the danger strangers can pose; and
WHEREAS, the Partnership has produced many other successful programs including the Workforce Home Benefit Program-encouraging home ownership on the Northside, Northside STRIDE; a community led neighborhood walking program, Northside Youth Summer Guide printed annually in the NS Chronicle, Vesta; a dramatic reading depicting an African American family's struggle with end-of-life issues, and other programs to address health and wellness initiatives; and
WHEREAS, North Side organizations involved include Allegheny West Civic Council, Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, Brightwood Civic Group, Community Alliance of Spring Garden East Deutschtown, Central Northside Neighborhood Council, Charles Street Area Council, East Allegheny Community Council, Fineview Citizens Council, Manchester Citizens Corporation, Observatory Hill Incorporated, Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, Spring Hill Civic League, Summer Hill Citizens Committee, Troy Hill Citizens, Inc., and departments from AGH led by Vice President Jeff Gray and Keri Harmicar, Partnership Coordinator, Psychiatry, Emergency Services, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Senior Environmental and Safety, Corporate Contracting, Human Resources and Cardiology;
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NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the work of the hospital and the community leaders who, over the last 20 years, made the Northside Partnership grow and prosper for both Allegheny General Hospital and all the citizens of the North Side Communities.