Title
Honoring and Congratulating the Good Shepherd Mediation Program on its 30th Anniversary.
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WHEREAS, After nearly 100 years of service to delinquent/dependent youth, Good Shepherd Corporation phased out its youth residential programs. In 1982, a needs assessment of the 14th and 35th police districts in Northwest Philadelphia was conducted to identify community concerns. It became apparent that crime and violence resulting from escalating, unresolved disputes - particularly involving youth - were the social problems about which community residents were most concerned; and
WHEREAS, The Good Shepherd Mediation Program, established in 1984, is a neighborhood justice center located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Good Shepherd's mission is to empower Philadelphia community residents to creatively search for meaningful and lasting solutions to their conflicts without resorting to crime or violence. People in conflict come to the Mediation Program to resolve their disputes through mediation; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Good Shepherd's services have expanded in response to the community. Good Shepherd has an extensive juvenile offender diversion program with numerous cases referred by the District Attorney's Youth Aid Panel; a family passages initiative to meet the need for parent-youth; custody and divorce mediation services for low-income families in transition; and an extensive mediation training program where many of its courses are eligible for Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education credits; and
WHEREAS, Good Shepherd's programs have a track record of success. For example, a recidivism study of juvenile offenders who participated in Good Shepherd's Victim Offender Conferencing Program revealed that only 10.2% committed a new delinquent act, compared with a 44% recidivism rate for juvenile offenders who did not participate in the program or any other diversion program in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, For two consecutive years, Good Shepherd Mediation Program was the top ranking Mediation Firm in the Delaware Valley, as reported in the Philadelphia Business Journal; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and celebrates The Good Shepherd Mediation Program on its 30th Anniversary.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Good Shepherd Mediation Program as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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