HR0709LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r HR0709 LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
HR0709 LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition was founded by
3 former President Kerry Knodle in 1996; the following year, the
4 coalition advocated for the passage of the Illinois YouthBuild
5 Act by the General Assembly, creating a mechanism for
6 launching and funding programs; and
7 WHEREAS, The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition (IYC) is
8 supported by YouthBuild USA; the coalition is comprised of 16
9 YouthBuild programs in Illinois, which include other
10 youth-serving organizations with similar purposes; the 16
11 individual program affiliates currently involved with IYC are
12 in Aurora, Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago Heights, Decatur,
13 East St. Louis, Godfrey, North Chicago, Rockford, Rock Island,
14 Waukegan, and Chicago; all member organizations of the
15 coalition operate their YouthBuild program according to the
16 YouthBuild Model; and
17 WHEREAS, The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition is dedicated to
18 expanding employment and career opportunities for socially and
19 economically disadvantaged young adults by advocating for an
20 increase of quality resources and community involvement; it
21 partners with opportunity youth to build a safe, secure, and
22 supportive force for change in the larger community; and
HR0709 LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
HR0709- 2 -LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r HR0709 - 2 - LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
HR0709 - 2 - LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
1 WHEREAS, YouthBuild programs serve low-income young people
2 ages 16 to 24 who have barriers to success, which may include
3 foster care, homelessness, and juvenile justice; these young
4 people are traditionally known as disenfranchised,
5 marginalized, at risk, and disconnected; they are too often
6 defined by the struggles they face both socially and
7 economically; and
8 WHEREAS, YouthBuild believes that the goals, dreams, and
9 aspirations of every young person are real; these young people
10 should be seen for who they really are, and they should receive
11 support; every young person deserves the opportunity to
12 develop their untapped potential; and
13 WHEREAS, YouthBuild is a youth and community development
14 program that simultaneously addresses core issues facing
15 low-income communities, including housing, education,
16 employment, crime prevention, and youth leadership
17 development; and
18 WHEREAS, Because of the YouthBuild programs in Illinois,
19 low-income young people ages 16 to 24 can work toward their GED
20 or high school diploma while learning the skills of the
21 construction industry through hands-on construction
22 activities; and
HR0709 - 2 - LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
HR0709- 3 -LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r HR0709 - 3 - LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
HR0709 - 3 - LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r
1 WHEREAS, The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition will be holding
2 its annual advocacy day at the State Capitol on April 17, 2024;
3 therefore, be it
4 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5 HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6 we recognize the work of Illinois YouthBuild Coalition
7 President Tameka Wilson, the various staff members, and the 16
8 State-wide YouthBuild directors and salute them on IYC Day at
9 the Illinois State Capitol; and be it further
HR0709 - 3 - LRB103 40141 MST 71845 r