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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING HENRI JORDAN FOR RECEIVING AN AMERICA’S JOB HONOR AWARD
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County is proud to announce that Henri Jordan, Resource Technician with the Forest Preserves’ Tinley Resource Management crew, has been selected as a 2016 top honoree for the America’s Job Honor Awards Program; and
WHEREAS, the America's Job Honor Awards is a nonprofit initiative that helps disadvantaged citizens enter the workforce. This award recognizes and celebrates individuals like Mr. Jordan who have overcome significant barriers to employment and employers like the Forest Preserves of Cook County who hire them; and
WHEREAS, we honor Mr. Jordan today for overcoming significant life challenges that are unique to growing up on Chicago’s west side in an underserved community. He was exposed from an early age to the pressures that come with being poor and soon joined a gang, eventually serving time in prison; and
WHEREAS, upon his release, Mr. Jordan learned about the Greencorps Chicago Program and was accepted into the program in January 2011. Greencorps Chicago is a City of Chicago Department of Transportation program that provides training and professional development for adults with barriers to employment while improving local natural areas. Greencorps participants receive valuable job training in natural resource related fields; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jordan excelled in the Greencorps program and successfully pursued a variety of professional licenses and certifications to build an impressive resume. He stood out for his seriousness, punctuality, and commitment to the program. Mr. Jordan worked hard throughout his time at Greencorps to earn a promotion to supervisor and develop a skill set that would allow him to become the first Greencorps graduate to be hired as a full time Forest Preserve employee. Mr. Jordan has become a valued mentor for other program participants and continues to seek out opportunities that could allow others to follow in his footsteps; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County has a long working relationship with Greencorps Chicago. Greencorps’ crews work in the Preserves throughout the year conducting important ecological restoration projects; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 Mr. Jordan was hired by the Forest Preserves of Cook County as a Resource Technician in the Department of Resource Management; and
WHEREAS, Henri is an extremely hardworking and dependable employee and a valued team player who contributes each and every day to making the Forest Preserves a better and healthier place; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jordan’s dedication, professionalism, and integrity is deeply valued by the Forest Preserves and his resilience and his commitment to overcome barriers and improve himself, his community, and the environment serves as an inspiration to all of us; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President; the Board of Commissioners; and the Forest Preserves of Cook County congratulate Mr. Jordan for his outstanding achievement and exceptional contributions to nature and local conservation efforts on behalf of the Forest Preserves; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Mr. Jordan as a token of appreciation for his service to the Preserves and the residents of Cook County.end