HR1632 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1632 LRB095 23039 GRL 53722 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, LifeSavers is a peer-support, suicide, and crisis-prevention program developed to train young adults to be caring listeners in their interactions with their peers; and

WHEREAS, The LifeSavers program trains selected students from 9th through 12th grades to be skilled listeners who can responsibly help other students deal with the emotional crises of adolescence; over two thousand ninth through twelfth graders from schools throughout Southern Illinois have participated in annual three-day training retreats in which trainees gain a better understanding of the teenage concerns which can lead to a real crisis; the trainees also learn how to listen with caring and respect to their troubled peers and how to recognize symptoms of an impending crisis; and

WHEREAS, The LifeSavers program involves a team approach to helping teenagers cope healthfully with the challenges of drugs and alcohol, peer and family relationships, sexual issues, violence, academic problems, death and grieving, aggression, anxiety, and suicide; LifeSavers are also trained to recognize when a peer's problem is beyond their abilities and to know what resources are available to refer peers to for the appropriate help; and

WHEREAS, LifeSavers is often the first line of defense for high school communities, due to the utilization of the greatest assets in helping young people - the young people themselves; and

WHEREAS, The LifeSavers program has been established in many locations in Illinois, including Alton, Benton, Cahokia, Carbondale (the program's original chapter), Carrier Mills-Stonefort, Carterville, Chester, Egyptian, Eldorado, Elverado, Galatia, Gallatin County, Herrin, Highland, Johnston City, O'Fallon, Marion, Murphysboro, Mt. Vernon, Nashville, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, Pinckneyville, Sparta, Steeleville, Trico, Waterloo, Wesclin, and West Frankfort; and

WHEREAS, The LifeSavers program has proven to be a vital asset within the State of Illinois, providing crucial assistance to those teenagers who most need a kind person to listen to their problems and to help them when necessary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the members of the LifeSavers Training Corporation for their work in helping the young adults of this State and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Judy Ashby, Executive Director of the LifeSavers Training Corporation, as a symbol of our esteem and respect.