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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING CATHOLIC CHARITIES ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, Catholic Charities began in 1917 when a group of Catholic businessmen petitioned Cardinal Mundelein to create a central Catholic charity in Chicago to relieve the burden on Catholic parishes, struggling to meet the needs of the booming immigrant population as well as the poor and the sick; and
WHEREAS, during the Great Depression, Catholic Charities was a key partner in a city-wide effort to aid families struggling to survive prolonged unemployment. The agency also became known for caring for orphans and children of unwed mothers as well as the mothers themselves; and
WHEREAS, during the 1960s, Catholic Charities began to provide Head Start services; and
WHEREAS, in the 1980s, Catholic Charities became one of the largest providers of foster care and other child welfare services in the area; and
WHEREAS, through the 1990s and into the 21st Century, Catholic Charities expanded its programming for seniors and built affordable residences for this population; and
WHEREAS, during the same time, Catholic Charities partnered with state and federal programs on a new model for distributing food and social services through Women, Infants, and Children centers in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, along with the new initiatives, Catholic Charities continued to provide emergency assistance, counseling, addiction services, and employment and training; and
WHEREAS, today, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, non-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting more than one million people without regard to religious, ethnic, or economic background; and
WHEREAS, every 30 seconds, someone turns to Catholic Charities for assistance. Catholic Charities offers 150 programs at 164 locations across Cook and Lake counties; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Charities has more than 3,000 well trained and dedicated staff who are aided by more than 15,000 volunteers; and
WHEREAS, in the last year alone, more than 250,000 people received food, clothing, shelter, and rent and utility assistance at Emergency Assistance sites in Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Worth, South Holland, Waukegan, and Summit, and nearly 70,000 people were served a warm meal; and
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2017, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Papal Nuncio to the United States, will preside with concelebrants Cardinal Blase Cupich, Monsignor Michael Boland, and Bishop Joseph Perry at a Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago at Holy Name Cathedral.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Board of Commissioners of Cook County do hereby honor Catholic Charities for a century of service--supporting individuals, families, and communities--guided by respect, compassion, competence, and stewardship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to Catholic Charities on the joyous occasion of its 100th Anniversary: a Century of Hope.
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