Mayor Gainey and Council President Kail-Smith Establish Advisory Committee on Youth and Family Resource Centers
Resource centers to serve as a safe place for kids and youth while providing support services for families in need.
PITTSBURGH – Today Mayor Ed Gainey and Council President Theresa Kail-Smith announced a plan to establish an advisory committee to work on opening Youth and Family Resources Centers.
“We believe that providing opportunities for our kids while providing social services for their families is a critical tool in our Plan for Peace,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “It is going to take all of us working together to help end the violence. I’m proud to be working with City Council and look forward to continuing our partnership in making Pittsburgh the safest city in America.”
The proposed committee would include 4 members appointed by the Mayor’s office, & 5 members appointed by the President of City Council. They would be tasked with studying and making recommendations around city owned facilities in areas being impacted by youth violence in order to provide opportunities for kids and social services for families.
“I want to thank the Mayor for working with council on something so important for our city,” Said Council President Kail-Smith. “This is about saving lives, helping struggling families, and making sure everyone in our city feels safe.”
Full language of the proposed resolution as proposed for amendment below.
###
Resolution to establish a Youth/Family Resource Center Advisory Committee.
WHEREAS, gun violence, human trafficking, homicide, and other violent crimes in the City of Pittsburgh are a concern of the Council and the people of the City of Pittsburgh, and
WHEREAS, the wellness and safety of the young people of Pittsburgh is a concern of the Council and the people of the City of Pittsburgh, and
WHEREAS, certain business districts and residential areas have seen an increase in violence involving young people, encroaching on the quiet enjoyment of these communities by business owners, customers, and residents, and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh has committed to a Plan for Peace and a fund to Stop the Violence wherein every elected and community leader expressed a dire need to offer comprehensive solutions which are preventative in nature, and
WHEREAS, further action may be needed to provide young people and their families with safe environments and support, as an alternative to violence,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor and the President of Pittsburgh City Council are directed to establish a committee to study approaches for providing youth/family resource centers throughout the City of Pittsburgh. Said committee shall be comprised of nine (9) members as follows: The President of City Council shall appoint five (5) members to this committee, and the Mayor shall appoint four (4) members to this committee. A committee member shall serve for no more than one year and their term shall expire automatically. Said appointment shall be communicated to Council on or before February 14, 2023.
