OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
July 30, 2014
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Austin, Beale, Brookins, Burnett, Cochran, Hairston, Fioretti, Mitts, Solis and Sawyer, a congratulatory resolution regarding The Support Group.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
reso
lution
adopted by The Qity Qouncil
of Ae Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
ALDERMEN CARRIE AUSTIN, ANTHONY BEALE, HOWARD BROOKINS, WALTER BURNETT, WILLIE COCHRAN, LESLIE HAIRSTON, BOB FIORETTI, EMMA MITTS, DANIEL SOLIS AND RODERICK SAWYER
presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL QM JULY 30, 2014
^QllQX&CLS ' Tne Support Group is celebrating its 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 urban-focused academic and athletic programs and services; 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 that many students with superior athletic ability could not make the grades to obtain a lasting education. Bennie persuaded Tim that basketball could be used to reach underserved children by encouraging both academic and athletic development; 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 to help young men and women better understand the importance of excelling academically, socially, and athletically. These programs emphasized education, testing skills, athletic strength and conditioning, and character building; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Henry partnered with a number of athletic organizations, including Nike, Spalding, Adidas, Wilson and the National Basketball Association, to host athletic activities and events, encouraging youth to prioritize education and avoid gangs, guns and 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 programs beyond sports to offer life skills training and to 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 the Chicago Public Schools to launch a mentoring program called "Lunch with a Leader", which brings together nearly 50 local professionals from a variety of 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 allowing students fo gain college and career advice directly from successful members of their community; and
WHEREAS, Alumni of The Support Group have attended and graduated from colleges and universities such as Hampton University, Spelman College, Rutgers University, The University of Chicago, The University of Illinois, The University of Michigan, and The University of Wisconsin. These alumni are trailblazers and outstanding leaders in their community thanks to the dedication of The Support Group's founders and staff; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council hereby commends The Support Group for its exceptional commitment to the youth of Chicago; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of Chicago gathered here this thirtieth day of July, 2014, do hereby congratulate The Support Group on its twenty-fifth anniversary and extend our best wishes for continuing success; and
BE ITFUTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Support Group Organization as a token of our esteem and respect.
MAYOR
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CITY CLERK