HR0833 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0833 LRB104 21614 LAW 37081 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend The Selfhelp Home for its contributions and service to the people of the State of Illinois for the past 88 years; and

WHEREAS, The Selfhelp Home stands as a living, breathing testament to the human spirit and embodies the character, determination, and fortitude of the founding men and women who organized a volunteer network to care for refugees fleeing Nazism and, later, the rare survivors; and

WHEREAS, The Selfhelp Home was established as a response to humanitarian crisis in 1938, providing sanctuary and support for those who had lost everything and sought to rebuild their lives in a new country; and

WHEREAS, For over six decades, The Selfhelp Home has served as a pillar of Chicago's Uptown community, enriching the neighborhood's cultural tapestry and demonstrating the profound value of immigrant contributions to the city; and

WHEREAS, The Selfhelp Home continues its founding mission by keeping its doors open to support immigrants seeking to work, live, and create fulfilling lives in a new country, honoring its heritage while meeting present-day needs; and

WHEREAS, The Selfhelp Home, founded on the principles of compassion, dignity, and respect, thrives as a community where older adults experience the highest quality of life possible; and

WHEREAS, The dedicated staff and volunteers of The Selfhelp Home exemplify Chicago's values of inclusion, diversity, and care for our elders, creating a warm environment where residents can live with independence and pride; and

WHEREAS, The Selfhelp Home's commitment to preserving the Jewish cultural heritage of its residents while fostering intergenerational and intercultural connections strengthens Chicago's social fabric and serves as a model for compassionate elder care; and

WHEREAS, The Selfhelp Home, through the vital services it provides, reminds us all of our responsibility to honor our elders and ensure they continue to live with dignity, purpose, and joy; and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, April 26, 2026, The Selfhelp Home will host a gala, "A Story Celebrated", to honor its history and raise funds to support a permanent exhibit that preserves the story of the senior living community and the Jewish families fleeing antisemitism that founded it; through photographs, artifacts, a pictorial timeline, and the voices of those who lived it, the exhibit will demonstrate that this history belongs to all of us; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend The Selfhelp Home for its 88 years of contributions and service to the people of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Selfhelp Home as a symbol of our esteem and respect.