SR1737 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1737 LRB099 21036 GRL 46099 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois believes that in order for Illinois to continue to grow and thrive, we need to make sure that children and young people have the support, resources and experiences that they themselves need to grow and thrive; and

WHEREAS, Illinoisans need to align behind a comprehensive vision of success for children and young people; and

WHEREAS, To achieve this vision, we need children and young people who have positive connections to family, community, and friends, opportunities to take leadership in culturally and environmentally robust communities, and resources for avoiding behaviors in the community associated with disconnection and harm; who are ready for school and experience academic success; who are able to grow up in and contribute to stable families and safe communities; who have their basic needs met in the context of their families and community, including the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, basic security, and a family in which to belong; who have good health and strong health habits; and have the necessary skills and dispositions to obtain employment and continue on a path to a secure financial future; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, we have the abilities, expertise, and partnerships necessary to align and integrate our efforts around a comprehensive vision for success for children and youth; and

WHEREAS, Positive youth development is the result of these efforts; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of positive youth development include success in school, but extend beyond that to include healthy development, positive relationships, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Positive youth development opportunities are critical to the future success of children and young people, and of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate April 13, 2016 as Positive Youth Development Day in Illinois as a sign of our collective commitment to providing children and young people with the support, experiences, and opportunities they need to be connected, educated, healthy, thriving, safe, and employable; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we show our commitment to positive youth development and to achieving a vision of success for children and youth that ensures that they are connected, educated, healthy, thriving, safe, and employable.