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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to honor  the staff and administration of 
4Connection of Friends for their work in serving teenagers and 
5young adults with special needs and developmental disabilities 
6in the Wheaton area; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, In the summer of 2011, Terry and Ginny Kline, the 
8grandparents of 2 special needs children, began researching the 
9availability of programs for special needs students once they 
10reach high school and as they age out of the system; seeing a 
11lack of such programs, they created Connection of Friends to 
12fulfill this need; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Connection of Friends is a community-based 
14program which offers teenagers and young adults with special 
15needs and developmental disabilities a place to socialize with 
16an emphasis on life skills, volunteer, and recreational 
17activities; the program was created to provide a place for 
18social gatherings and an opportunity for young adults with 
19special needs to participate within their community and utilize 
20vocational and life skills for the benefit of themselves and 
21their communities; and
  
 
22    WHEREAS, Connection of Friends serves individuals with 
 
 
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1autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and 
2other intellectual disabilities in the western suburbs, which 
3include Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, Naperville, Glen 
4Ellyn, Downers Grove, and Lisle; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Programs currently offered at Connection of 
6Friends includes the planning and preparing of a daily meal, 
7volunteering at a food pantry, creating newborn hats for a 
8hospital, music therapy, art, gardening, fitness, yoga, 
9nutrition, product creation, and community lunch; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Ably led by Executive Director Sarah Donnelly, 
11Program Director Rose McGowan, and Program Leader Rebecca Ross, 
12Connection of Friends also utilizes a Music Therapist and other 
13part-time staff to assist during Saturday Night Socials; other 
14program volunteers include an art teacher, a gardener, and many 
15high school students; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The staff and administration of Connection of 
17Friends serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication 
18for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
20NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
21we honor the staff and administration of Connection of Friends 
22for their work and wish them continued success and happiness in 
 
 
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1the future; and be it further
  
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
3presented to Connection of Friends as a symbol of our esteem 
4and respect.