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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING ANISHA PATEL FOR HER INCREDIBLE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
WHEREAS, Anisha Patel is a parent, the CEO of her own company, and a fellow with the Think Tank on Global Education at Harvard; and
WHEREAS, Anisha was elected to the Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 school board in April 2019; and
WHEREAS, Anisha started a fundraising campaign called “Your Support Matters to Unaccompanied Youth Migrants”; and
WHEREAS, Anisha and a group of women garnered financial support from nearly 150 different donors; and
WHEREAS, Anisha raised close to $35,000 for Viator House of Hospitality and Bethany House of Hospitality, two safehouses for young immigrants seeking asylum in the Northwest Suburbs; and
WHEREAS, the proceeds from the fundraiser will be given as scholarships to residents and as emergency funds for their families who may be facing danger in their home countries; and
WHEREAS, Anisha is a Muslim immigrant from Malawi, Africa who observes Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and giving; and
WHEREAS, many residents of the safehouses are also observing Ramadan; and
WHEREAS, Anisha, along with her team, organized a dinner during Ramadan, starting at dusk so attendees could break their fasts surrounded by a supportive community; and
WHEREAS, Anisha hopes to eliminate stereotypes and the hatred that the Muslim community faces by creating supportive and loving safe spaces; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of the Cook County Commissioner would like to recognize Anisha Patel for her dedicated efforts to raise funds and create a welcoming community for unaccompanied youth migrants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution is presented to Anisha Patel.
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