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Honoring the heroic efforts of professional caregivers and first responders, and declaring February 15, 2018, as Caregivers and First Responders' Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders provide stability and a wide range of ongoing and emergency supportive services to our most vulnerable citizens including children, the elderly, and people with intellectual, physical, or emotional challenges, and including many who have experienced trauma and toxic stress, which can impact life-long functioning and health; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, caregivers, both paid and unpaid, provide an estimated $450 billion in services each year; and
WHEREAS, Two out of every five paid home care attendants live in poverty and on unsustainable wages; and
WHEREAS, Significant rates of secondary trauma (also known as vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue) are experienced among many professional caregivers and first responders, including child welfare workers, firefighters, police, therapists, medical personnel and many others; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 34 million family caregivers in the United States provide uncompensated care; and
WHEREAS, Around 5.5 million caregivers in the United States provide military members and veterans who are wounded or ill with comprehensive and critical services, helping heal those who have risked their lives for our country; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders who step up to the plate based on their profession or family ties give of their own time and well-being so that others may live their fullest lives with dignity and independence; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers and First Responders remind us that one of life's greatest gifts is to be able to support and recognize the humanity of our neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers' and First Responders daily work is a testament to the generosity and grace that help fuel a more humane and just society; and
WHEREAS, Many care...
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