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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HONORING DEBRA VINES FOR HER DEVOTION AND COMMITMENT TO AUTISM AWARENESS BY FOUNDING “THE ANSWER INC”.
WHEREAS, Debra Vines, a Broadview native, whom through her own personal experiences with her son Jason who was diagnosed with autism at 19 months old, is able to connect with the autism community; and,
WHEREAS, Autism is a developmental disability that affects a persons ability to communicate and interact with others and is usually detected in early childhood stages; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines founded “The Answer Inc.” in 2007 a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing support, resources, education, recreation, and advocacy for families who are affected by autism; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines has created this organization with the help her loving family, her husband James Harlan whom she has been married to for 33 years and her sons Mark and Jason; and,
WHEREAS, Autism affects 1 in every 68 Americans each year, and costs the average family $60,000 a year to provide the resources necessary to help these children succeed; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines hosts The Answer Inc. Walk-A-Thon every year to provide funding for this organization, which will be hosted on May 5th at 12pm at Proviso West High school in 2018; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines has Utilized The Answer Inc. to reach minority families who lack the resources to get adequate help for their children suffering from autism and has served over 4,000 families since 2007; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines through The Answer Inc. has created venues that foster the inclusion of autistic persons in our community; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines through The Answer Inc. has given autistic children a chance for social interaction; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines has also strived to educate and bring autism awareness to law enforcement in our community; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines has been a strong advocate for special education placement in schools, and in individualized education programs that assess student learning capabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines through The Answer Inc. offers a 24 hour support hotline for parents who are at a breaking point or may need to just vent; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines honorably states that her greatest accomplishment has been to watch the families that she has aided reach milestones that they were once told were unattainable; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Vines hopes to see a world that instead of being angry, our communities fight for our autistic individuals, with the hopes that one day all of our children will be embraced.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners to honor the work and dedication Debra Vines has devoted to The Answer Inc. The Cook County Board of Commissioners extends our greatest appreciation to Ms. Debra Vines for her admirable work and contribution to our community.
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