Title
To honor and celebrate the Simba mentoring program on its 25th Anniversary of transforming the lives of young African-American men.
Body
WHEREAS, Franklin County Children Services' Simba mentoring program was founded in 1988 by Karen Bell, Kwesi Kambon and Clifford Tyree to help improve outcomes for young African-American men ages 9 to 19 years old, involved with Children's Services ; and
WHEREAS, the Simba mentoring program has taught hundreds of young men the importance of integrity, self-respect, confidence and hope; and
WHEREAS, Simba's dedicated mentors have shaped and guided young lives by providing unwavering commitment, encouragement, trust, empathy, education, and compassion during the past 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Franklin County Children Services' Simba mentoring program has enriched the lives of thousands of African-American young men through the power of positive role modeling; and
WHEREAS, the lasting influence and inspiration of these mentors has shown these young men that there is a better way-one full of promise, potential, and possibility; and
WHEREAS, the Simba program is a one-of-a kind program which provides a pathway for young African-American boys to demonstrate leadership and communication with integrity, while respecting values and creating avenues for positive, productive self-expression; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
That this Council does hereby honor and celebrate, October 12th , 2013 as the 25th Anniversary of Franklin County Children Services' Simba program.