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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE SAFER FOUNDATION’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, In 1972, the Safer Foundation opened its doors in Chicago as an advocate for former offenders in their efforts to secure employment after being released from prison or jail; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation (SF) will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary on April 29th; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Curran and Gus Wilhelmy established the Safer Foundation in Chicago Illinois; and
WHEREAS, since their inception their mission has been to pave that road with stabilizing support, employment, education, and advocacy that empower justice-involved individuals to achieve their true potential; and
WHEREAS, whether someone is newly released, currently incarcerated, or has been back in society for an extended time, the Safer Foundation provides job readiness and placement program that fits their unique goals, qualifications, and skillset; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation can help with immediate employment by providing immediate work and skills training such as strengthening soft skills, financial support for entry-level certifications, post-training employment, early expungement/record sealing, support throughout the first nine months of employment or entry-level training and occupations; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation also offers long term employment such as Construction Training and Occupations Reconstruction Technology Partners (RTP) which is their design-build social enterprise that provides hands-on training and real-world experience in the field of construction; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation also offers career building. If someone is looking to join healthcare, transportation, or construction fields with a higher-paying occupation, there’s the Safer Demand Skills Collaborative (SDSC) which offers training, licensing, and certifications for clients across healthcare, transportation, construction, hospitality, and technology industries; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation offers Educational Services such as youth HSED Programs which is an eight-week program, enables youth ages 16 to 24 to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) and gain valuable life skills offered to participants with or without a conviction record; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation also offers an Adult HSED and Tutoring Programs which provides instruction in math, writing, and reading to prepare you to earn your HSED; and
WHEREAS, current detainees of the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) have the unique opportunity to earn their HSED while incarcerated through the PACE Institute program; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation offers Immediate Re Entry Training and Occupations which strengthening soft skills, raised reading and math levels to pass entry exams, financial support for entry-level certifications, post-training employment, early expungement/record sealing, and support throughout the first nine months of employment; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation also offers young adult training and occupations which supports ages 18-24 with vocational training, tools, and resources for education and employment opportunities through I-MATTER which is a three-year program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation provide immediate help services, which include help with Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Support and a State ID; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation provide behavioral health services, such as Anger Management Counseling, Mental Health Services, Substance Use Disorder Counseling; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation also provide Legal Assistance such as Record Sealing which helps get your record clear to aid in employment and housing searches; and
WHEREAS, the Safer Foundation provides Housing Support such as Permanent Supportive Housing, Subsidized Housing and Affordable Housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize and honor the 50th Anniversary of the Safer Foundation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution is presented to the Safer Foundation in honor of its outstanding achievements and its 50th anniversary.
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