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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to honor the staff and administration of
4Connection of Friends for their work in serving teenagers and
5young adults with special needs and developmental disabilities
6in the Wheaton area; and
 
7    WHEREAS, In the summer of 2011, Terry and Ginny Kline, the
8grandparents of 2 special needs children, began researching the
9availability of programs for special needs students once they
10reach high school and as they age out of the system; seeing a
11lack of such programs, they created Connection of Friends to
12fulfill this need; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Connection of Friends is a community-based
14program which offers teenagers and young adults with special
15needs and developmental disabilities a place to socialize with
16an emphasis on life skills, volunteer, and recreational
17activities; the program was created to provide a place for
18social gatherings and an opportunity for young adults with
19special needs to participate within their community and utilize
20vocational and life skills for the benefit of themselves and
21their communities; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Connection of Friends serves individuals with

 

 

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1autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and
2other intellectual disabilities in the western suburbs, which
3include Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, Naperville, Glen
4Ellyn, Downers Grove, and Lisle; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Programs currently offered at Connection of
6Friends includes the planning and preparing of a daily meal,
7volunteering at a food pantry, creating newborn hats for a
8hospital, music therapy, art, gardening, fitness, yoga,
9nutrition, product creation, and community lunch; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Ably led by Executive Director Sarah Donnelly,
11Program Director Rose McGowan, and Program Leader Rebecca Ross,
12Connection of Friends also utilizes a Music Therapist and other
13part-time staff to assist during Saturday Night Socials; other
14program volunteers include an art teacher, a gardener, and many
15high school students; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The staff and administration of Connection of
17Friends serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication
18for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
20NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21we honor the staff and administration of Connection of Friends
22for their work and wish them continued success and happiness in

 

 

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1the future; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to Connection of Friends as a symbol of our esteem
4and respect.