|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, For 20 years, Heart House has helped refugee |
|
children thrive in the Vickery Meadow community of Dallas; and |
|
WHEREAS, Many refugees reside in Vickery Meadow, and most |
|
come from countries beset by conflict and privation; while learning |
|
how to navigate a new culture, children are often dealing with early |
|
trauma caused by such factors as war, separation from caregivers, |
|
harsh living conditions, and post-migration issues that can include |
|
discrimination and social exclusion; refugee children are |
|
over-represented in special education programs and are typically |
|
three to four years behind their peers academically; and |
|
WHEREAS, Heart House offers after-school and summer |
|
programs, following a holistic mental and behavioral health model |
|
that adapts to a child's background and current emotional state; |
|
with its Head, Heart, Hands program, also known as H3, Heart House |
|
makes social-emotional learning a core component in its strategy to |
|
promote healing and growth through educational and therapeutic |
|
experiences customized for the individual; research demonstrates |
|
that this approach increases academic performance and improves |
|
mental health; and |
|
WHEREAS, Reflecting the diversity of Vickery Meadow, Heart |
|
House currently serves children who speak nearly 20 different |
|
languages and dialects; it provides students from kindergarten |
|
through eighth grade with space to play, have a meal, and enjoy |
|
music, art, and other enrichment activities; group counseling is |
|
available, as well as extra support from a team of mental health |
|
professionals; and |
|
WHEREAS, Immigrants contribute immeasurably to the vibrancy |
|
of our communities, and by encouraging the emotional, social, and |
|
cognitive development of refugee children, Heart House is preparing |
|
them to be more happy, resilient, and productive members of |
|
society; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby honor Heart House for 20 years of service to |
|
refugee children in Dallas and extend to all those associated with |
|
this noteworthy organization sincere best wishes for the future; |
|
and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for Heart House as an expression of high regard by the |
|
Texas House of Representatives. |