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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MR. RICHARD TOWNSELL FOR TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, Richard Townsell is a Chicago (North Lawndale) native and a leader in Community Development.; and
WHEREAS, In Richard’s 20+ year career in community development, he has developed nearly 500 units of residential and commercial properties (which have totaled over $100 MM in total development cost) and helped to design comprehensive community plans for affordable housing, education and economic development initiatives; and
WHEREAS; Richard Townsell was inspired by the teachings of his Church, (Lawndale Christian Community Church), which preaches and teaches “To love God and our neighbors”. Mr. Townsell feels that his leadership has impacted the community by working in partnership with other leaders to create a comprehensive plan for the community; and
WHEREAS; Richard Townsell is the Executive Director at the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation. Richard has taught community development courses at Northwestern University's Asset-Based Community Development Institute as well as with the Chicago Rehab Network’s Urban Developer’s Institute; and
WHEREAS, Richard Townsell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwestern University in Mathematics Education and a Master of Science from Spertus College in Nonprofit Management.; and
WHEREAS, Richard has received many awards for the work including the Fellow of the Year at Leadership Greater Chicago’s 20th anniversary and a Leadership for a Changing World Award from the Ford Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Richard Townsell has been married to his college sweetheart Stephanie for 30 years. They have two adult children, Lena and Gabriel. Richard also coaches youth wrestling in his spare time with Beat the Streets Chicago. He motto is There are gifts, talents and resiliency in the people of the North Lawndale; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government acknowledges Richard Townsell for transferring lives through community development in the North Lawndale Community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, I, Dennis Deer, Cook County Commissioner 2nd District on behalf of President Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of the over five million residents of Cook County, do hereby recognize Richard Townsell for his Outstanding Leadership in Community Development and so wish Richard Townsell every continued success in his future endeavors, and may a copy of this resolution be tendered herewith.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Richard Townsell, and a copy of the same be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body
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