HR1401LRB099 22725 GRL 50210 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the administration and
4staff of Concordia Place on the occasion of the 35th
5anniversary of the Concordia Child Care Center and the 10th
6anniversary of the Concordia Avondale Campus in 2016; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Concordia Place is a vibrant non-profit
8organization that provides proactive solutions to key social
9needs; Concordia Place focuses on growth and opportunity to
10instill self-sufficiency and independence and serves
11low-income and working poor families through economically
12inclusive programs; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Concordia Place was created in 1981 when three
14single mothers approached Pastor Nicholas Zook at Concordia
15Lutheran Church, asking for help with after-school care for
16their children; despite the fact that the mothers were not
17members of the church and had very little means, Pastor Zook
18agreed and started an after-school program for 12 "latch-key
19kids"; and
 
20    WHEREAS, In 1989, the Concordia Child Care Center was
21expanded to include full-day preschool for children ages three
22to five; in 2001, Concordia Lutheran Church purchased a vacant

 

 

HR1401- 2 -LRB099 22725 GRL 50210 r

1church and school at 3300 N. Whipple St. and began fundraising
2and working with elected officials and community leaders to
3expand to serve more children and families in the Avondale
4community; in 2002, the Concordia Avondale Campus was created;
5in 2003, the Concordia Child Care Center was included in this
6new non-profit organization; in 2006, the Concordia Child Care
7Center opened, which expanded programs to infants and toddlers
8as well as teens, seniors, and adult learning programs; in
92009, the organization's name was changed to Concordia Place to
10reflect the multiple communities that they serve; in 2016,
11Concordia Day, a sister program, was launched with a social
12mission of strengthening Concordia Place and its mission; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Concordia Place currently serves 800 young
14children, teens, adults, and seniors every year through
15numerous services, including Early Learning and pre-school
16care and education programs, School-Age 365 after-school and
17summer camp programs, teen leadership initiatives, resume
18preparation and career exploration services, free English as a
19Second Language classes, senior wellness programs, senior lift
20and transportation volunteer programs, service learning
21projects, ecology, nutrition, and culinary programs, and
22holistic services, among others; and
 
23    WHEREAS, The administration and staff of Concordia Place
24serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the

 

 

HR1401- 3 -LRB099 22725 GRL 50210 r

1people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
4congratulate the administration and staff of Concordia Place on
5the occasion of the 35th anniversary of their original location
6in North Center, Chicago, and the 10th anniversary of their
7expansion to the Avondale community and wish them continued
8success and happiness in the future; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to Concordia Place as a symbol of our esteem and
11respect.