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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION HONORING KEI SMITH FOR BEING NAMED A HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN YOUTH AMBASSADOR
WHEREAS, Kei Smith has been named as part of the Class of 2022 as a HRC Youth Ambassador; and
WHEREAS, HRC Youth Ambassadors are part of HRC’s Youth Well-Being Program, a program dedicated to improving the lived experience of LGBTQ+ youth in everyday institutions of daily life--families, schools, after-school enrichment programs, community centers, health and wellness programs, child welfare, and other systems of care; and
WHEREAS, Kei and other Youth Ambassadors, will represent the HRC Foundation, adding their voices and experiences to raise awareness about the most pressing concerns facing LGBTQ+ youth and programs that promote well-being for LGBTQ+ youth; and,
WHEREAS, Kei Smith is a bisexual woman from the northwest suburbs and is a proud community college student; and
WHEREAS, Kei was a co-founder and President of the first LGBTQ+ Youth Advisory Council at the Kenneth Young Center in the 15th District; and
WHEREAS, through her work with the Kenneth Young Center, Kei has advocated at the local and state level with legislators to require LGBTQ+ training for counselors and other issue areas that affect the community; and
WHEREAS, Kei has continued to advocate for affirming mental health services, especially for communities of color, that she was fortunate enough to receive and which she has said helped her come out as a result; and
WHEREAS, Kei continues to work to destigmatize seeking mental health services and queerness; and
WHEREAS, Kei serves as an incredible example of a young person who is working to make our communities more welcoming and inclusive for all residents; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognize Kei Smith for her extraordinary accomplishment of being named as HRC Youth Ambassador and for her continued good work bettering the lives of LGBTQ+ people in our community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution is presented to Kei Smith.
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