CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO THE SUPPORT GROUP CELEBRATING THEIR TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, The Support Group is celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary of serving youth throughout the Chicago area; and
WHEREAS, The Support Group, founded in 1989 by Bennie Henry and Tim Hardaway, is a Chicago based non-profit dedicated to empowering youth through academic and athletic programs and services relevant to urban communities; and
WHEREAS, Tim Hardaway, a retired NBA player and the league's best point guard known for his crossover dribble and Bennie Henry, former basketball standout at South Shore High School, noticed there were many students who displayed superior athletic ability but couldn't make the grades to obtain a good education. Bennie persuaded Tim that basketball could be used as a tool to reach underserved children by encouraging both academic and athletic advancement; and
WHEREAS, the organization was formed to engage at-risk youth in Chicago's most challenged neighborhoods with recreational programs that incorporated learning and reading, providing young men and women an opportunity to better understand the importance of excelling academically, socially, and athletically, with an emphasis on education, testing skills, athletic conditioning, strengthening and character building; and
WHEREAS, Henry partnered with a number of athletic organizations including Nike, Spalding, Adidas, Wilson and the National Basketball Association to host athletic activities and events, while emphasizing education as a priority and encouraging youth to circumvent gangs, guns, drugs; and
WHEREAS, twenty-five years later, the organization has worked in various elementary and secondary schools serving more than 15,000 Chicago at risk youth, expanding their program beyond sports to offer life skills training and inspire youth to learn about careers through its Biz and Better Choices Boot Camps, After School program, Teen Reach and annual Teen Summit; and
WHEREAS, The Support Group partnered with Chicago Public Schools to launch a flagship mentoring program called "Lunch with a Leader", which brings together nearly 50 local professionals from a variety of career fields to share their career insights with hundreds of high school students from across the city. "Lunch with a Leader" has been hailed as a model mentoring program for its unique format that allows students to gain college and career advice from successful members of their community; and
WHEREAS, Alumni of The Support Group have graduated and attended colleges and universities such as Hampton University, Spelman College, Rutgers University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin, and are promising trailblazers and outstanding citizens in their community, thanks to the dedication of The Support Group's founders and leader; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council hereby commends The Support Group and their continued commitment to the youth of Chicago; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of Chicago gathered here this fifth day of February 2014, do hereby congratulate The Support Group on their twenty fifth anniversary and extend our best wishes for continuing success; and
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Support Group Organization.
HOWARD BROOKIIMS, SPONSOR Alderman, 21st Ward
CARRIE AUSTIN, CO-SPONSOR Alderman, 34th Ward
WILLIE B. COCHRAN Alderman, 20th Ward
DANIEL S. SOLIS " Alderman, 25th Ward
ROBERT W. FIORETTI Alderman, 2nd Ward
RODERICK SAWYER Alderman, 6th Ward
ANTHONY BEALE Alderman, 9th Ward
LESLIE HAIRSTON Alderman, 5th Ward
WALTER BURNETT Alderman, 27th Ward
EMMA MITTS Alderman, 37th Ward
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