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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING LA RABIDA’S CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER ON ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, in recent federal fiscal year data, approximately 4 million reports were made to child protective services nationwide; and
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are serious problems affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone; and
WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of our community; and
WHEREAS, child abuse can have long‐term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims of abuse; and
WHEREAS, protective factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and developmental well‐being of children; and
WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community‐ and faith‐based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and
WHEREAS, for 40 years, the La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center in the south suburbs of Chicago has provided critical care, advocacy, and support to children and families, strengthening our communities and fostering safe, stable, and nurturing environments; and
WHEREAS, communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families; and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promoting the social and emotional well‐being of children and families in safe, stable, and nurturing environments; and
WHEREAS, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, hereby recognizes and commemorates April 2026, as Child Abuse Awareness Prevention Month in the County of Cook, and urges all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Honorable Body wishes to congratulate La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center on their 40th Anniversary and thanks them for their vital work in providing a safe environment where trauma-informed experts support children who are victims of child abuse and violent crime and their families at no cost; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be disseminated in the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy be presented to La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center as a token of our respect and esteem.
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