HR0741 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0741 LRB094 15138 LCT 50315 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are honored to recognize foundations that provide exemplary service to the citizen's of this State; and

WHEREAS, The Woodlawn Organization has been providing a wide variety of programs and services to its community for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, The mission of The Woodlawn Organization is to advance the African-American community and others in the areas of economic empowerment, political action, advocacy, and social welfare by providing training, education, counseling, and development services; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, The Woodlawn Organization has been at the forefront of community based, grassroots organization across the nation; the membership body is comprised of 115 interest groups such as block clubs, churches, businesses, tenant councils, parent groups, and homeowners associations; this group addresses vital issues on planning and development, community safety, education, health and human resources, employment, recreation, transportation, and housing; the team of organizers also coordinate community meetings, rallies, block clubs, parties, back-to-school celebrations, and voter education and registration; and

WHEREAS, The Woodlawn Organization offers an employment and training program in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Human Services that provides job opportunities to economically disadvantaged individuals throughout the Chicago area; the programs identify and provide an individualized combination of soft skills training and support services that give participants the opportunity to obtain and keep a job; and

WHEREAS, The Woodlawn Organization also offers an early childhood development center and an infant day care center; the organization has two facilities as an alternative to in-patient psychiatric treatment for adults with a history of chronic mental illness; and it offers substance abuse services that include two levels of treatment to assist participants in regaining control over their lives; and

WHEREAS, In addition to these services, The Woodlawn Organization offers in-home counseling services, HIV/AIDS testing and supportive services, peer and family support groups, court advocacy, family preservation centers, family case management, direct emergency assistance, and transportation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend The Woodlawn Organization on its invaluable service to the citizens of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Leon Finney, Jr., the Chairman and CEO of The Woodlawn Organization.