HR0175 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0175 LRB099 08872 MST 29044 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The month of May is recognized as Foster Care Month, both here in the State of Illinois and across the country; and

WHEREAS, Foster Care Month celebrates the lives of the brave children who have, through no fault of their own, been left without a suitable home; and

WHEREAS, There are currently more than 16,000 foster children under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; and

WHEREAS, The children in the foster care system have endured difficult circumstances throughout their young lives; and

WHEREAS, It is with the selfless work of a myriad benevolent individuals and organizations that the children in foster care have an opportunity to find a caring, loving home; and

WHEREAS, The foster care workers and parents take on the truly altruistic and self-fulfilling task of providing and caring for a foster care child and bringing him or her into their lives; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the State, there are numerous foster care agencies that facilitate the process of connecting foster children with suitable homes and services; and

WHEREAS, Committed organizations like the Lutheran School Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and the Children's Home + Aid have historically contributed to the nurturing and protection of the children of this State; and

WHEREAS, LSSI, which has been operating in this State since 1867, offers "healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities"; LSSI is the largest social service provider in the State; last year, the agency served 73,000 people through 190 programs at 85 sites across Illinois; and

WHEREAS, With regional offices located in Bloomington, Rockford, Chicago, and Granite City, the Children's Home + Aid has been transforming the lives of foster children and parents since 1883; in the Bloomington regional office alone, which has been working with children for over 120 years, the agency offers a wide range of services and programs; it serves annually the needs of more than 3,000 children and families in McLean County and the surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, It is with the robust and selfless commitment exemplified by foster care agencies and workers like these that the Illinois foster care community has an opportunity to reach the ultimate goal of bettering and empowering the lives of the children who deserve a chance to experience the familial environment that all children should be entitled to; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim the week of May 3rd through May 9th of 2015 as Foster Care Worker Appreciation Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of the people of this State to the thousands of Illinois foster care workers and encourage all who are willing to consider taking their part in this noble and worthy endeavor benefitting the lives of our children and youth in foster care.