HR0270 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0270 LRB101 12008 MST 59297 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Established in 1860, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America believe that who you are, where you are from, or the circumstances that surround you should not determine your access to opportunities; clubs in Illinois are committed to a focus on solutions and policies that will have the greatest impact on the youth of this State and the fight to strengthen them; Illinois's youth have a voice that should be heard, and working together will close the opportunity gap for all youth in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Boys & Girls Clubs have a mission to enable all young people, especially those who are most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs have been active in the State from Carbondale to Chicago for an average of 46 years; at least three clubs have now provided more than a century of service in their communities; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs provides services to over 63,000 youths at about 100 facilities throughout the State with the support of programs such as Teen REACH and 21st Century Community Learning Centers and funding from community foundations, grants, and the generosity of private donors; and

WHEREAS, The Teen REACH program is unique to Illinois and represents a partnership between the State of Illinois, through the Department of Human Services, and the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs that is now entering its 20th year of working together to provide great futures for the youth of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Every $1 invested in a Boys & Girls Club returns $11 to its community and to those served; the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs spends $29 million annually to provide programs to help kids in school, strengthen families, teach valuable life skills, and build strong communities that result in a $317 million benefit to its youth members and to Illinois communities; and

WHEREAS, Since 1947, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have awarded the National Youth of the Year Award to an exceptional young person, the highest award that can be earned by club members; youths between the ages of 14 and 18 are first selected at the club level, then at the state level; selected youths go on to represent their club at the regional and national levels; and

WHEREAS, Since 2013, the Boys & Girls Clubs have also awarded a Military Youth of the Year award to a youth receiving services and living on a military base, and April is the Month of the Military Child; and

WHEREAS, Youth of the Year candidates are given the opportunity to demonstrate and learn leadership skills, service to their communities, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles, all while gaining invaluable experience as public speakers and ambassadors; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is holding their annual Illinois Youth of the Year celebration on April 9th & 10th in concert with National Boys & Girls Club Week of April 8-12, 2019; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs on its dedication to the youth of Illinois and applaud all of the 2019 Illinois Youth of the Year nominees for their determination to excel and serve as an example to other youths throughout the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies be given to the State nominees and to their Boys & Girls Club chapters.