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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to commend Sister Vivian Whitehead for the
4success of the Center for Correctional Concerns and her work to
5help incarcerated men and women build a pathway to productive
6and fulfilling lives; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Sister Whitehead was born and raised in Chicago;
8she attended St. Dorothy Grade School and Lorette Academy in
9Woodlawn; she received her bachelor's degree from the College
10of St. Francis and later earned a Doctor of Philosophy in
11Biology from St. Bonaventure University in New York; she became
12a Franciscan sister in 1947; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Sister Whitehead began her career in education as
14a high school teacher at St. Mary's in Columbus, Ohio; she
15later taught at St. Francis Academy in Joliet; in 1968, she
16served as an administrator for her congregation; from 1976
17until 1979, she worked as a counselor at the University of
18Notre Dame, where she ministered to the spiritual needs of the
19students; during her time at Notre Dame, she developed an
20interest in criminal justice; she later attended the Benedict
21Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she gained practical
22experience in jail ministry; as a result, she realized that in
23addition to substance abuse treatment and mental health

 

 

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1counseling, many jail residents needed a second chance for an
2education; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Sister Whitehead returned to Joliet, began her
4work with the Will County Jail, and founded the Center for
5Correctional Concerns in July 1979; a not-for-profit agency,
6the Center is funded largely by grants and donations; she
7headed the Center from 1970 until 1988, when she left to work
8in Appalachia as an adult education and family literacy
9teacher; she returned to the Center in 1999 and continues to
10minister to the men and women in the Will County Adult
11Correctional Facility; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Under Sister Whitehead's leadership, the Center
13has greatly expanded; it is fully staffed with administrators,
14counselors, teachers, and volunteers; in its 40-year history,
15more than 2,500 students have earned their high school
16equivalency diplomas; the pass rate of the Center's students is
1730 percent higher than those in similar area agencies; the
18Center offers literacy training for non-readers and enrichment
19classes; when necessary, the Center also offers a Spanish Tutor
20and a Spanish version of the test; although education is the
21Center's first priority, spiritual counseling and guidance,
22along with substance abuse counseling and treatment, are also
23provided; the Center also works with lawyers, public defenders,
24and social service agencies on behalf of the incarcerated;

 

 

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1therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
3HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we commend Sister Vivian Whitehead for the success and
5long-term impact of the Center for Correctional Concerns and
6its work helping incarcerated men and women find hope and
7purpose; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to Sister Whitehead as an expression of our esteem
10and respect.