HR0046 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0046 LRB101 07260 ALS 52299 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend Sister Vivian Whitehead for the success of the Center for Correctional Concerns and her work to help incarcerated men and women build a pathway to productive and fulfilling lives; and

WHEREAS, Sister Whitehead was born and raised in Chicago; she attended St. Dorothy Grade School and Lorette Academy in Woodlawn; she received her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis and later earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Biology from St. Bonaventure University in New York; she became a Franciscan sister in 1947; and

WHEREAS, Sister Whitehead began her career in education as a high school teacher at St. Mary's in Columbus, Ohio; she later taught at St. Francis Academy in Joliet; in 1968, she served as an administrator for her congregation; from 1976 until 1979, she worked as a counselor at the University of Notre Dame, where she ministered to the spiritual needs of the students; during her time at Notre Dame, she developed an interest in criminal justice; she later attended the Benedict Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she gained practical experience in jail ministry; as a result, she realized that in addition to substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling, many jail residents needed a second chance for an education; and

WHEREAS, Sister Whitehead returned to Joliet, began her work with the Will County Jail, and founded the Center for Correctional Concerns in July 1979; a not-for-profit agency, the Center is funded largely by grants and donations; she headed the Center from 1970 until 1988, when she left to work in Appalachia as an adult education and family literacy teacher; she returned to the Center in 1999 and continues to minister to the men and women in the Will County Adult Correctional Facility; and

WHEREAS, Under Sister Whitehead's leadership, the Center has greatly expanded; it is fully staffed with administrators, counselors, teachers, and volunteers; in its 40-year history, more than 2,500 students have earned their high school equivalency diplomas; the pass rate of the Center's students is 30 percent higher than those in similar area agencies; the Center offers literacy training for non-readers and enrichment classes; when necessary, the Center also offers a Spanish Tutor and a Spanish version of the test; although education is the Center's first priority, spiritual counseling and guidance, along with substance abuse counseling and treatment, are also provided; the Center also works with lawyers, public defenders, and social service agencies on behalf of the incarcerated; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Sister Vivian Whitehead for the success and long-term impact of the Center for Correctional Concerns and its work helping incarcerated men and women find hope and purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sister Whitehead as an expression of our esteem and respect.