HR0802 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0802 LRB103 40784 MST 73638 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the honorable work that the organization Kayla's Hope Foundation is accomplishing in our communities; and

WHEREAS, Kayla's Hope Foundation was founded in 2018 after Kayla Lehmann lost her battle to depression at the age of 15; her parents and sister were devastated and knew they had to do something about the current stigma that surrounds mental health; and

WHEREAS, Kayla's Hope Foundation aims to remove the stigma that surrounds mental illness while assisting those who are struggling and to offer hope to those who need it most; its goal is to reach others who may be experiencing a reality like Kayla's and give them the hope and help needed for a brighter future; and

WHEREAS, Kayla's Hope Foundation's motto, It's OKAY to not be OKAY, is a statement designed to show people that it is okay to talk, okay to feel, and okay to seek help and feel comfortable doing so because they are not alone; and

WHEREAS, Kayla's Hope Foundation has raised nearly $300k to help impact communities and carry out its goals; it has partnered with counseling services to provide financial assistance to those without proper mental health coverage so those in need can obtain adequate services and has created local partnerships with mental health services and Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia to provide funding for education, training, and adolescent counseling; and

WHEREAS, Kayla's Hope Foundation has provided multiple contributions to help schools and students in their efforts to support mental health, contributing to Hope Clubs, sponsoring mental health presentations, and donating to orchestra departments; it has also created a college scholarship program for students of St. Charles East and North, Geneva, and Batavia High Schools to provide opportunities for students that have an interest in studying music, literature, or psychology; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the honorable work that the organization Kayla's Hope Foundation is accomplishing in our communities and offer our sincere condolences to Kayla Lehmann's family for their tragic loss; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Kayla Lehmann to recognize their honorable work and to offer our deepest sympathy.