HR0846 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0846 LRB103 41005 LAW 74114 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Sandra Marbeth on her commitment to foster care through her work with SOS Children's Villages Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Founded over 30 years ago, SOS Children's Villages Illinois is an award-winning, non-profit organization that strives to keep siblings together while providing an individual licensed home in a supportive, community environment that marshals all the resources needed to help at-risk youth in foster care heal and achieve their permanency goals; the non-profit currently operates four sites, three Villages that provide sibling group foster care, located in Lockport and the Auburn Gresham and the Roosevelt Square Community neighborhoods of Chicago, and the Casa Tepeyac facility that offers preventative and in-home services, which is located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Marbeth's journey into foster care began at St. Coletta's, where she cared for children born to mothers struggling with drug addiction; her deep connection to the children and her unwavering passion led her to join SOS Children's Villages; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 30 years, Sandra Marbeth has fostered more than 64 children, adopting six out of her first sibling set of eight; she has operated as a foster parent out of the organization's Lockport Village; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Marbeth has long understood the importance of foster parents dedicating parts of their lives to the children in their care, serving as a stabilizing force for at-risk youth who may need additional time and patience to build strong relationships based on trust with others; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Marbeth's commitment to providing love and stability has made her an inspirational figure in the world of foster care, and her dedication serves as a testament to the profound impact one person can have on the lives of others; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Sandra Marbeth on her commitment to foster care through her work with SOS Children's Villages Illinois, and we thank her for her continued service in caring for at-risk children in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sandra Marbeth as an expression of our esteem and respect.