Title
To honor and recognize May 2015 as Community Action Month in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio's Community Action Agencies were created when the Economic Opportunity Act was signed in 1964; and
WHEREAS, for more than 50 years, Community Action Agencies have promoted self-sufficiency for those with limited income and are critical partners in the continuing effort to reform the welfare system as we know it; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2014 State of Ohio Poverty Report, 16 percent of Ohioans, or an estimated 1,797,000 people, are living in poverty, including an estimated 208,639 Franklin County residents; and
WHEREAS, those with limited income deserve the opportunity to improve their lives and their living conditions, and we as a community share a responsibility to ensure that all residents are able to live with dignity; and
WHEREAS, IMPACT Community Action's mission is to reduce poverty by providing hope-inspiring help and real opportunities for self-sufficiency through customized programs designed to meet the unique needs of specific communities that move household from crisis to stability, stability to empowerment and empowerment to self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, IMPACT Community Action has made important contributions to improve the quality of life for individuals and families living in the City of Columbus by providing innovative and cost effective programs; and
WHEREAS, IMPACT Community Action has administered critical services, including workforce development, technology training and work-readiness programs, the Home Energy Assistance Program and Home Weatherization Assistance Program, re-entry assistance and mobile medical healthcare services; and
WHEREAS, IMPACT Community Action honors the Pledge of Community Action which is to change people's lives, improve communities, embody the spirit of hope, and to make America a better place to live; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council does hereby recognize May 2015 as Community Action Month in Columbus and commends IMPACT Community Action for their ongoing efforts to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.