Resolution 250443

..Title Honoring and celebrating Feliz Filadelphia for its dedication to empowering youth through recreation, education, and community development. ..Body WHEREAS, Feliz Filadelfia, formerly known as Born to Play, was founded in 2015 by Jose Rivera, with a mission to provide recreational opportunities and a safe environment for the youth of Olney, Philadelphia, and beyond; and WHEREAS, Feliz Filadelfia's flagship program, the Olney Angels baseball team, has become a cornerstone of the community, providing baseball, softball, tee-ball, and flag football opportunities for over 100 youth from Olney, Hunting Park, North Philadelphia, Lower Northeast Philadelphia, and surrounding areas; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of founder Jose Rivera, Feliz Filadelfia has expanded beyond youth sports, introducing exercise programs for both youth and adults, and laying the groundwork for future educational and environmental programming to further enhance the community; and WHEREAS, The renovation of the Hammond Avenue fields, completed in 2021, has been a key milestone in the revitalization of the Olney neighborhood, allowing for the growth of Feliz Filadelfia's programming and creating a safe and welcoming space for youth to learn, play, and grow; and WHEREAS, Feliz Filadelfia, having recently received its not-for-profit status and 501(c)(3) designation, is now positioned to expand its programs, with an initial board of directors consisting of dedicated individuals, including Jose Rivera, Edna Rivera, Alexander Crespo, and Dan Gordon of the Drumcliff Foundation; and WHEREAS, The organization remains deeply rooted in its Latino heritage, while welcoming participants from all backgrounds, and strives to make a positive impact not just in Olney but throughout the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Through a team-oriented approach, Feliz Filadelfia is committed to collaborating with existing organizations and offering its own programs to foster community development, health, and empowerment, creating a brighter future for all participants; and WHEREAS, The organization's dedication to youth development, community enrichment, and social impact is exemplified by the contributions of its dedicated staff and volunteers, including coaches, board members, and community leaders such as John Santiago, Freddie Gabriel, Tsega "Coach Taz" McDermott, Miriam Rivera, Sandra Fontanez, Dan Gordon, Victor Juarez, and many others; and WHEREAS, With continued support from partners and other community stakeholders, Feliz Filadelfia is well-positioned to continue growing its programs, expanding its impact, and inspiring the next generation of leaders in Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and celebrates Feliz Filadelfia for its unwavering dedication to empowering youth through recreation, education, and community development, recognizing its transformative impact on the lives of young people in the Olney neighborhood and throughout Philadelphia. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Jose Rivera, the board members, coaches, and all those who have contributed to the success of Feliz Filadelfia, as an expression of the admiration and respect of this legislative body for their outstanding work in strengthening the community and providing opportunities for youth to succeed. ..End