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TO: Aurora City Council
FROM: Alex Voigt, Asst. Chief of Staff
DATE: September 8, 2016
SUBJECT:
A resolution in support of Aurora’s Military and Veteran Caregivers.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora was recently approached by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation regarding a new initiative, the “Hidden Heroes Campaign”. The campaign is seeking to create national awareness and support for the approximately 5.5 million people who provide care to wounded, ill or injured service members or Veterans.
At their June meeting, the US Conference of Mayors voted to adopt a resolution encouraging all cities to develop ways to identify, support and recognize caregivers. As of August, twenty-two (22) cities had signed up to participate. The “official” launch date for the campaign is Tuesday, September 27th.
DISCUSSION:
City staff participated in a conference call with representatives from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to learn more about the campaign and the expectations for participating cities. The first step in the process is for the City of Aurora to pass a resolution formalizing the city’s intent. The second step to create a steering committee to assist in creating a process to identify caregivers in Aurora.
The foundation’s intent is to create a website that will serve as a resource for caregiver’s nationwide, connecting them to available resources and services. The city intends to partner with our Veterans Advisory Council to assist in this process.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution In Support of Aurora's Military and Veteran Caregivers.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the series of wars in which our nation has been engaged over time, since World War II, has resulted in 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers who are parents, spouses, siblings and friends, caring for those wounded, ill or injured who have served our nation, as documented by the 2014 Rand study commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the daily tasks of these military and veterans caregivers can include bathing, feeding, dressing, and caring for the grievous injuries of wounded warriors, administering medications, providing emotional support, caring for the family and the home, and working outside the home to earn essential income; and
WHEREAS, the nation provides multi-faceted support to our wounded, ill and injured veterans and service members through public, private and philanthropic resources, but their caregivers receive little support or acknowledgement; and
WHEREAS, most military and veteran caregivers consider the challenging work they do as simply carrying out their civic and patriotic duty, without realizing they are, in fact, caregivers, and do not identify themselves as such; and
WHEREAS, an alarming number of military and veteran caregivers, according to research, are suffering numerous debilitating mental, physical and emotional effects as a result of their caregiving duties;
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora desires to recognize and support those who are serving in these vital roles in our own community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois,
I. That the City of Aurora become a military and veteran caregiver supportive city.
II. That the City of Aurora seek to identify military and veteran caregivers residing in our city.
III. That the City of Aurora work to ensure that our government, organizations, employers and non-profits are aware of the unique challenges of military and veteran caregivers and are encouraged to create supportive environments and opportunities for assistance.
IV. That the City of Aurora plan an observance each May, during Military Appreciation Month, to honor and recognize the city’s military and veteran caregivers in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s national Hidden Heroes campaign.
V. That the City of Aurora encourage all who care for and support veterans and service members to extend that support to their caregivers.
VI. That the City of Aurora designate a point of contact for our city, from the public or private sector, for citizens and organizations wanting to offer support, and caregivers who need that support.