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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING OFFICER DELBERT HOWELL FOR HIS LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO THE ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Delbert Howell received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Accounting from Robert Morris College in Chicago, Illinois. A longtime advocate for at-risk youth and young adults, Delbert made his start as a Team Leader for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox Academy, where he assisted in practices, team travel, and daily operations, monitored registration, and private instruction while coaching 1st - 8th-grade students in the fundamentals of basketball.; and
WHEREAS, he has served as a student advocate, engagement specialist, and juvenile justice re-engagement specialist for Chicago Public Schools. In each capacity, he encouraged youth to believe in themselves and their abilities. He served as a liaison to pair students and often parents with school-based and community supports, as well as social, educational, and job training services.; and
WHEREAS, since 2013, he’s worked for the benefit of the citizens of the Grand Crossing community by protecting life and property from harm while maintaining order by enforcing all Federal, State, and Municipal laws as necessary. Actively working throughout various divisions of the Chicago Police Department, including but not limited to: CAPS, Community Police Strategy, Youth, as well as, the Business Department(s); and
WHEREAS, upon receipt of his Urban and Aquaponics Certification from the Botanical Garden and Micro Greens Certification from the University of Illinois, Delbert founded Healthy Place. A nonprofit organization focused on youth development through agriculture, community service, culinary arts, fishing and sportsmanship.; and
WHEREAS, at a young age, Delbert developed a love for cooking while preparing meals with his Aunt. Their time spent and love shared in the kitchen fueled his desire to bring the kitchen to the community by way of an initiative he created called Healthy Plates with the Police. Healthy Plate’s is a unique monthly culinary experience driven by youth ages 12-18. Participants are taught how to read and understand nutritional information as well as create and develop menu items to prepare under the guidance of a Master Chef.; and
WHEREAS, on February 22, 2020, Healthy Plates in collaboration with its founding sponsors, the City Colleges of Chicago, Kennedy King College, Washburn Culinary & Hospitality Institute, Chicago Park District, and the Chicago Police Department of Community Policing, celebrated its’ two (2) year anniversary with a class of 115 participants in attendance. ; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Healthy Plates with the police, Healthy Place offers the following programs: Growing Up Green - six-week summer gardening program for youth ages 11-18; Hook A Kid on Fishing - a six-week summer program for youth ages 5-18. Participants learn how to bait, cast, and release,
Sole Star Project (Successful Outstanding Leaders Equals Star) - hosts a six-week summer league for fifth and sixth graders, as well as open runs for high school students and pros twice a week.; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government acknowledges Delbert Howell lives through community engagement.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners as well as the Board of Commissioners along with the 5.3 million residents of Cook County do hereby recognized, Delbert Howell for his invaluable, leadership, dedication and commitment to the residents of Englewood and herewith express our sincere gratitude for your service to the community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution is forwarded to Delbert Howell and a copy be placed upon the official record of the honorable body recognizing this auspicious occasion.
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