SPONSOR:	Rep. Schwartzkopf & Rep. Longhurst

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 16

RECOGNIZINGJULY 22, 2015 AS "WEST REHOBOTH CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM DAY."

WHEREAS, the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program stands firmly committed to quality afterschool and summer enrichment educational opportunities because they:

· Provide literacy, learning, and health by providing wholesome after school and summer enrichment activities for children of the community and at large;

· Provide safe, challenging, and engaging learning experiences that help children develop social, emotional, physical, recreational, educational, cultural, nutritional, and academic skills;

· Support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends;

· Build stronger communities by involving students, parents, businesses, community leaders, state agencies, government, law enforcement, adult volunteers, schools, churches, and civic organizations in the lives of young people, thereby promoting positive relationships among children, youth and their families; and

· Engage families, schools and community partners in advancing the welfare of our children; and

WHEREAS, the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program has provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth, grounded in the principle that quality afterschool and summer enrichment programs are key to helping our children become successful adults; and

WHEREAS, the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program, an award-winning program held this year on July 22, 2015, promotes the importance of quality afterschool and summer enrichment programs such as prevention services for economically disadvantaged and high risk youth and families; and

WHEREAS, the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program was co-founded by Brenda C. Milbourne, Executive Director, and Diaz J. Bonville, Program Director, on July 23, 2002; and

WHEREAS, many afterschool and summer enrichment programs across the country are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being forced to close their doors; and

WHEREAS, the West Rehoboth Community is committed to investing in the health and safety of all young people by providing expanded learning opportunities that will help close the achievement gap and prepare young people to compete in the global economy;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, that July 22, 2015, is hereby recognized as "West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program Day."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this Resolution shall be delivered to the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program at 19801 Norwood Street, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971.