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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Barbara Olson Center
4of Hope on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In 1948, the School of Hope was started by the
6Rockford Parents Group to provide education for children who
7were considered unable to learn; and
 
8    WHEREAS, In 1972, the School of Hope was renamed the
9Barbara Olson Center of Hope to reflect its changing direction
10to serve anyone with a developmental disability, including
11adults, while offering a variety of programs to teach
12participants vocational skills, including offsite programs
13that provide opportunities to go into communities and learn
14practical skills; and
 
15    WHEREAS, In 2008, the Barbara Olson Center of Hope won the
16Excelsior Award, an honor bestowed upon an organization or
17institution whose work has a positive effect on life in the
18Rock River Valley; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The Barbara Olson Center of Hope has remained
20dedicated to the community through its Volunteer Center, which
21arranges volunteer opportunities at a number of programs and

 

 

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1organizations, including Meals on Wheels and the Rock River
2Valley Food Pantry; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The Barbara Olson Center of Hope has expanded its
4commitment to vocational skills through its Hope Industries,
5offering a variety of subcontractor jobs from around the
6country through which individuals have the opportunity to
7learn work and life skills while earning a paycheck; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Through the dedication of its members and the
9growing popularity of its consumers, the Barbara Olson Center
10of Hope has branched off by creating GourMutts, a robust and
11flourishing program that sells flavored dog treats and from
12which all proceeds benefit the organization's participants and
13programs; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In 2023, the Barbara Olson Center of Hope will
15celebrate 75 years of dedicated service to individuals with
16developmental disabilities within the Rockford region;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we congratulate the Barbara Olson Center of Hope on the
21occasion of its 75th anniversary, and we recognize the
22organization for its continued commitment to the development

 

 

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1and upliftment of individuals with developmental disabilities;
2and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to Barbara Olson Center of Hope as an expression of
5our esteem and respect.