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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to recognize SYESA (Struggling
4Youth Equals Successful Adults) and its founders, Michael
5Simelton, Tony Lawlor, and Antwan Turpeau, on being the first
6non-profit youth organization in the State of Illinois to be
7founded by 3 former foster youths; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The 3 men spent over 10 years of their lives as
9wards of the State of Illinois; they all had multiple different
10types of placements, attended multiple grammar and high
11schools, and dealt with various other struggles; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Michael has a Master's Degree in Engineering and a
13successful career with the Exelon Corporation; he is currently
14the chairman of SYESA's Board; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Tony earned a IDCFS scholarship while he was in
16care and used that scholarship to graduate from the University
17of Illinois; he went on to have a successful career in the
18jewelry business; he has earned national certification in youth
19development; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Antwan has a Master's Degree in Social Work with a
21specialization in Leadership and Development in Social

 

 

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1Services from Loyola University of Chicago; he has 10 years of
2experience working with youth in psychiatric settings and in
3the community; and he has also managed State contracts for 5
4years; and
 
5    WHEREAS, SYESA was founded on June 22, 2009; SYESA is a
6youth organization whose primary focus is giving youth and
7young adults the tools, connections, resources, and motivation
8they need to overcome the past obstacles in their life and to
9succeed in life; the organization believes that if foster
10children can overcome their life struggle, and are provided
11with proper skills, they will be able to be great leaders in
12their communities; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15we recognize Michael Simelton, Tony Lawlor, and Antwan Turpeau
16for their work with SYESA; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copies of this resolution be
18presented to Michael Simelton, Tony Lawlor, and Antwan Turpeau
19as symbols of our respect and esteem.