RESOLUTION HONORING ENGLEWOOD 5K FITNESS RACE
WHEREAS, in 2014, Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC, under the leadership of Andrea Na'Tay Drane and her staff, created the first-ever, innovative and community-focused fitness challenge to promote a healthy lifestyles for individuals, families, children, young adults as well as seniors within the Englewood community, called the "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN", in partnership with the Alderman's office, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Chicago Park District; the resident Association of Greater Englewood [R.A.G.E.], as well as a variety of neighborhood stakeholders, supporters and volunteers; and
WHEREAS, this highly successful event is generally considered to be heralded as the establishment of an annual "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN"
- the inaugural event of which was held at Ogden Park, 6500 South Racine Avenue on November 2, 2014, in the southwest side englewood neighborhood of Chicago, IL; and
WHEREAS, the "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" was
proudly held in the Englewood metropolitan area for the express purpose of reducing violence, while simultaneously establishing a respect for healthy lifestyles within the poverty-stricken and often crime-ridden Englewood community; and
WHEREAS, the following are some highlights ofthe 1st Annual "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" which showcases the profound success and emerging deep commitment of this anti-violence and healthy living collaborative effort within the Englewood community ofthe City of Chicago:
Over 900 individuals and groups participated in this ' first-ever' Englewood walk and run event, including local residents, organizations, businesses and religious institutions and city agencies alike;
- The "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" event organizer, Andrea Na'Tay Drane is a native Chicagoan, Englewood born and bred 1998 graduate of William Rainey Harper High School, who was motivated by an enduring sentiment for Englewood, a desire to give back to her vibrant, yet struggling community, and in honor of her staff and all those who have successfully lost weight, and who've also lost friends and relatives to guns and other street violence;
- Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC successfully developed strong and proactive partnerships with local officials, city agencies, community, civic and business organizations and schools to provide job training; and
- The 1st Annual "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" benefitted from active and committed collaborations with The Office of Alderman Toni L. Foulkes; the 007th District - Chicago Police Department; Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Area South Coordinator Glen Brooks, Jr., CAPS Officer Claudette
Knight-CPD; CAPS Officer Daliah Goree-CPD; and the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (RA.G.E.) Amoung many others; and
WHEREAS, today Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC who served as the organizer for the "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" is a minority-owned, woman-operated veteran owned and locally run, Chicago-based business. The overall mission and goal of Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC is to provide professional health wellness services in the form of personal training, group exercise and nutritional guidance, all designed to fight obesity and promote health and wellness for all ages; and
WHEREAS, further, Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC established Ogden Park as the location for the 1st Annual "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" because it sits at the cusp between the Englewood and West Englewood communities, and would serve as a positive, non-violent example of uniting both communities behind a common and noble cause. This was also designed to promote the healthy interaction between good nutrition, increased physical activity and improvements in community morale as a way to help the healing process within the Englewood neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the committed efforts of many, and the unqualified success of this event - the 2nd Annual "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" will take place on November 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and the Chicago City Council have been informed by 15th Ward Alderman Toni L. Foulkes about the outstanding corporate dedication, business leadership, community commitment and activism ofthe Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, on this twenty-first day of January, 2015 do hereby honor, and wish to express our sincere congratulations to Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC and the "DITCH THE WEIGHT & GUNS ENGLEWOOD 5K WALK & RUN" in recognition of their outstanding and visionary community leadership, and dedication to excellence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, those suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC as a sign of deep respect, appreciation and esteem for their excellent and ongoing service to the residents of the City of Chicago.
Toni L. Foulkes, Alderman - 15th Ward