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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, On April 24, 1979, Pillars Community Health (then
3the Des Plaines Valley Community Center) opened its first
4domestic violence shelter, the Constance Morris House, to
5provide shelter for four to five women and children in the
6western suburbs of Chicago; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Pillars Community Health later moved the shelter
8to be able to accommodate 20 domestic violence survivors,
9including women and children, and to provide assistance for
10others in the community, such as men and transgender
11individuals; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Pillars Community Health has expanded its
13domestic violence services to include a confidential 24-hour
14hotline, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling,
15family counseling with the non-offending parent, legal and
16medical advocacy, community education and prevention, a police
17response collaboration, and links to ongoing support services,
18such as emergency financial assistance and housing programs,
19all at no cost; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Pillars Community Health employs 31 staff in
21domestic violence services and relies on approximately 20
22direct service volunteers who assist at the shelter and answer

 

 

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1hotline calls, as well as numerous community groups who offer
2support through service projects and donated meals and items;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, Pillars Community Health believes everyone has a
5right to be safe in their own bodies, in their homes, and
6within the larger community and gives a voice to survivors of
7domestic and sexual violence that affirms their value in the
8world; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Pillars Community Health believes healthy
10relationships and human rights are critical to the overall
11well-being of a community and works to challenge and change
12attitudes about domestic and sexual violence in an effort to
13build stronger, healthier communities; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Pillars Community Health's vision is to help all
15people access the care they need, when they need it; therefore,
16be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
18HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
19we congratulate Pillars Community Health on the 40th
20anniversary of the founding of the Constance Morris House and
21commend them for the positive contributions that they have made
22to their community; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Pillars Community Health as a symbol of our
3respect and esteem.