Get Ready To Shake Hands. Know Your Neighbor Week Is October 18 - 26, 2008

Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen signed a proclamation on October 6th declaring October 18th through October 26th as "Know Your Neighbor Week." The Proclamation reads:

• WHEREAS, the Village of Skokie is proud of its distinction as a multicultural community; and
• WHEREAS, people from every corner of the world live in Skokie, with nearly 100 different languages and dialects, other than English, spoken in Skokie homes, and
• WHEREAS, the number of countries and cultures represented within the Village of Skokie increases every year; and
• WHEREAS, throughout the year flags of countries represented at the Festival of Cultures are flown at the Flags of Nations display at McCormick Boulevard and Dempster Street;and
• WHEREAS, through its new Immigrant Integration Initiative, the Chicago Community Trust has generously provided the Village with funding for programs to assist residents from Skokie's multi-cultural community. With this goal in mind, the Village of Skokie and the Skokie Human Relations Commission are sponsoring Know Your Neighbor Week from october 18 through October 26, 2008 to encourage Skokie residents to host a coffee for their neighbors, so that they may get to know one another while celebrating their similarities and differences and building a strong community.
• NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE VAN DUSEN, Mayor of the Village of Skokie, do hereby proclaim October 18 through 26th, 2008 as

"KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR WEEK"

and urge all Skokie residents to host or attend a coffee, and to do their part to help make

Skokie a more inter-connected and inviting community that embraces all cultures and

ethnicities.

The event is being sponsored by the Village of Skokie and funded by The Chicago Community Trust Immigrant Integration Initiative to encourage residents of Skokie's multicultural community to get to know one another and to celebrate each others similarities and differences. Residents are hosting coffees, inviting neighbors from church, school & community. The Village of Skokie has helped with invitations, name tags and more, including certificates for a free coffee cake. All registered hosts will be entered into a drawing for a Quality of Life Basket (valued at over $500) to be given away at the Village of Skokie open house Sunday October 26, 2008 at 4:00pm at the Village Hall (5127 Oakton St.)

For more information, call 847.933.8210 or email info@skokie.org. Or visit http://www.skokie.org/manager/KnowYourNeighborWeek.pdf.