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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COOK COUNTY AND FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY FOR RECEIVING THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AWARD FROM THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, on November 1, 2019, the Housing Authority of Cook County and Forest Preserves of Cook County were honored with an Intergovernmental Cooperation Award for the Forest Preserves Experience Program from the Illinois Association of Park Districts at a ceremony in Wheeling, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves Experience Program is part of the Conservation Corps and was launched in 2016 through a collaboration with the Housing Authority, Friends of the Forest Preserves and the Forest Preserves; and
WHEREAS, the program is a five-week summer internship that introduces high school-aged residents from the Housing Authority of Cook County's Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs in rewarding and valuable physical work outdoors on conservation and habitat restoration projects in the Forest Preserves; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Authority is a valued partner and important collaborator and has played a key role in the expansion of the program, with enrollment growing from 100 youth in 2016 to over 200 youth in 2019; and
WHEREAS, by providing youth an opportunity to take on a summer job, the Forest Preserve Experience creates a meaningful impact in the communities it serves, as well as in the Forest Preserves; and
WHEREAS, participants have meaningful experiences in nature, gain an appreciation for Cook County's local plants and animals and begin to understand the importance of preserving public lands; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Authority is critical to the program's sustainability and success and has been an excellent partner to the Forest Preserves and deserves to be recognized for their commitment to the Conservation Corps and connecting more people to nature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President; and the...
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