RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) has been in existence for 35 years but is now confronted with serious financial problems that could put this important organization in danger of going out of business unless funding sources are found; and
WHEREAS, CEDA provides critical services to over 500,000 disadvantaged people in Cook County each year. It receives state and federal grants totaling 190 million dollars a year to provide head start pre-school services, weatherization and low-income heating to disadvantaged families; and
WHEREAS, CEDA operates more than 50 locations throughout suburban Cook County, with approximately 500 full and part-time employees. CEDA offers over thirty programs and services in the areas of children and family services, community and economic development, education, emergency assistance, employment and training, energy conservation and services, health and nutrition, and housing and senior services. CEDA programs work in partnership with the suburban communities of Cook County while empowering families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life; and
WHEREAS, CEDA's Head Start/Early Head Start in 2012 (the most recent year for which data are available) provided early childhood development services to more than 3,100 children and their families, in cooperation with five Delegate agencies, 12 affiliates and 11 directly operated facilities; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, CEDA weatherized 9,725 homes, which included 3,500 senior-citizen-owned homes; and
WHEREAS, CEDA provided Workforce Development Services in 2012 to nearly 200 clients enrolled in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Employment and Training and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Workforce programs; and
WHEREAS, CEDA's Community Service Block Grant programs, including dental assistance, vision care, scholarships and family nutrition, helped over 2,370 people in 2012....
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