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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING GREATER AUBURN-GRESHAM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
WHEREAS, since 2001, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation has provided comprehensive community development services to Auburn Gresham and surrounding communities to improve the quality of life for south side residents in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation focuses its efforts on five pillars: Economic Development, Housing and Senior Services, Education and Youth Development, Health and Wellness, and Community Engagement; and
WHEREAS, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation has been providing free income tax preparation services since 2004, serving more than 15,000 clients and bringing back more than $20 million in refunds to low-income residents; and
WHEREAS, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation created and has grown the 79th Street Renaissance Festival into an iconic, multi-day community event with family fun for all ages; and
WHEREAS, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation provides free minor home repairs for senior citizens to help them live comfortably; and
WHEREAS, through its Housing and Seniors Services program, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation has invested $2 million to improve the homes of more than 400 seniors since 2003; and
WHEREAS, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation created Auburn Gresham GOLD, a community-driven education plan that provides after school programming, math and literacy summer camps and year-round support to students and parents to improve the educational outcomes in Auburn Gresham schools; and
WHEREAS, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation is redeveloping a long vacant building at 839-45 West 79th Street into the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub, bringing more than 100 living wage jobs to the community; and
WHEREAS, the Healthy Lifestyle Hub will increase the community’s quality of life through increased access to health and wellness services, educational and technology enhancements, and community development services to youth, seniors, families and disenfranchised community members; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby honor Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation and praise its essential contribution to the health and viability of Cook County.
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