Title
To honor and recognize Dr. Natasha Slesnick for combating youth homelessness through The Ohio State University's Star House program.
Body
WHEREAS, Dr. Natasha Slesnick is a professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at the Ohio State University and has worked with homeless youth since 1998; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Natasha Slesnick founded the Ohio State University's Star House program in October 2006; and
WHEREAS, the Star House serves homeless youth between the ages of 14 to 24 and offers them a home and a chance for productive life; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Dr. Slesnick, the Star House met the basic needs of homeless youth by providing shelter, food, showers, telephones, computers and laundry services; and
WHEREAS, the Star House rebuilt trust, hope and the self-esteem of homeless youth; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Slesnick provided resources to assist homeless youth to obtain jobs, independent housing and career oriented education; and
WHEREAS, today the Star House program is hosting upwards of 25 youths daily, and served over 300 different youths in 2010 alone; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Slesnick believes that the Star House program has the opportunity to prevent chronic homelessness, substance use and mental illness into adulthood; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Natasha Slesnick has proven to be an exemplary citizen and a humanitarian at heart; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council does hereby honor and recognize Dr. Natasha Slesnick for combating youth homelessness through The Ohio State University's Star House program