HR0496 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0496 LRB098 12649 GRL 47082 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the staff and administration of Connection of Friends for their work in serving teenagers and young adults with special needs and developmental disabilities in the Wheaton area; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 2011, Terry and Ginny Kline, the grandparents of 2 special needs children, began researching the availability of programs for special needs students once they reach high school and as they age out of the system; seeing a lack of such programs, they created Connection of Friends to fulfill this need; and

WHEREAS, Connection of Friends is a community-based program which offers teenagers and young adults with special needs and developmental disabilities a place to socialize with an emphasis on life skills, volunteer, and recreational activities; the program was created to provide a place for social gatherings and an opportunity for young adults with special needs to participate within their community and utilize vocational and life skills for the benefit of themselves and their communities; and

WHEREAS, Connection of Friends serves individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and other intellectual disabilities in the western suburbs, which include Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, and Lisle; and

WHEREAS, Programs currently offered at Connection of Friends includes the planning and preparing of a daily meal, volunteering at a food pantry, creating newborn hats for a hospital, music therapy, art, gardening, fitness, yoga, nutrition, product creation, and community lunch; and

WHEREAS, Ably led by Executive Director Sarah Donnelly, Program Director Rose McGowan, and Program Leader Rebecca Ross, Connection of Friends also utilizes a Music Therapist and other part-time staff to assist during Saturday Night Socials; other program volunteers include an art teacher, a gardener, and many high school students; and

WHEREAS, The staff and administration of Connection of Friends serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the staff and administration of Connection of Friends for their work and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Connection of Friends as a symbol of our esteem and respect.