12 LC 93 0717

House Resolution 1569

By: Representatives Parent of the 81st, Benfield of the 85th, Kendrick of the 94th, Bell of the 58th, Evans of the 40th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Commending Kate's Club for its outstanding service to youth, recognizing March 1, 2012, as Kate's Club Grief Awareness Day at the capitol, and inviting Founder Kate Atwood and the Kate's Club board of directors to be recognized by the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Kate's Club is a nonprofit organization that empowers children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling; and

WHEREAS, Kate's Club guides children through their grief journey in a comfortable, safe, and uplifting setting by creating friendships with kids and young adults that share the experience of loss; and

WHEREAS, the organization was founded by Kate Atwood in June of 2003 with six children, their families, and an outing to a local bowling alley; and

WHEREAS, Kate's Club has touched the lives of around 425 children and more than 200 volunteers and has a curriculum of four main programs providing social, recreational, and emotional support to participants; and

WHEREAS, studies show that there are thousands of children in metro Atlanta who are dealing with the loss of a loved one; and

WHEREAS, the approach of Kate's Club is based on four cornerstones, all of which support the purpose of providing grieving children and their families with an environment where they can re-engage in life and turn a potentially debilitating loss into a growth opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Kate's Club provides a critical service to youths, their families, and communities, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding work of this fine organization and its numerous contributions to the citizens of this state be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize March 1, 2012, as Kate's Club Grief Awareness Day at the capitol; commend Kate's Club, its founder, Kate Atwood, its executive director, Emily Hawkins, and its board of directors for exemplary service to Georgia's youth; and invite them to be recognized by the House of Representatives at a date and time designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Kate Atwood.