A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO COMMEND AMIKIDS FOR FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OF GUIDING AT-Risk YOUTH TO POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO PAST BEHAVIOR WHILE ENABLING THEM TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE AND TO DECLARE THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024, AS AMIKIDS DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

 

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina General Assembly recognizes the selfless labor of those who serve this great state's most precious resource, its children. AMIkids stands high among those who serve; and

 

Whereas, AMIkids was founded in 1969 by Robert Rosoff and Judge Frank Orlando in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the belief that merely incarcerating juveniles would not fully address the underlying issues that led these young people to Judge Orlando's courtroom; and

 

Whereas, Robert Rosoff and Judge Frank Orlando strove to create a program to provide youth with proactive alternatives to institutional incarceration by offering them a second chance; a new direction; and caring, guiding hands within a community-based setting, resulting in AMIkids' mission to "empower young people to discover their true potential"; and

 

Whereas, in 1984, AMIkids arrived in South Carolina and began operations in urban and rural settings, with a focus on serving youth involved in juvenile probation. Since its inception, the organization has proven to be a valuable ally in the great task of nurturing the state's at-risk youth; and

 

Whereas, in South Carolina, AMIkids has served, and helped transform the lives of, more than 20,000 young people. Nationally, the organization has served more than 160,000; and

 

Whereas, AMIkids maintains a proactive relationship with state agencies, law enforcement, and the South Carolina Legislature and credits these entities with the foresight that brought AMIkids to this State. Their vision has resulted in changing the lives of moderate to high-risk youth while maintaining the safety and security of South Carolina's citizens and has produced some of the lowest recidivism rates in the United States. Such success saves the State millions of dollars in institutional costs; and

 

Whereas, the success of AMIkids in South Carolina and their desire to impact more youth in this State was recently recognized by the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which awarded a sizable grant for AMIkids to expand its Family Centric Model in South Carolina to Horry, York, and Anderson Counties, thus assisting more youth who are reintegrating into their home communities after leaving juvenile justice residential programs; and

 

Whereas, young people impacted by AMIkids are able to work their way back into a world of opportunity. AMIkids graduates have earned high school and college diplomas, started small businesses, found gainful employment, enlisted in the military, and served as loving and nurturing parents; and

 

Whereas, holding fast to its mission, AMIkids continues to assist today's youth in "separating a troubled past from a bright future"; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to recognize this worthy organization for its invaluable contributions and achievements over four decades in this State and for providing love, practical assistance, and hope for the future to so many at-risk young people. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, commend AMIkids for fifty-five years of guiding at-risk youth to positive, productive alternatives to past behavior while enabling them to become successful citizens of this great State and declare Thursday, April 18, 2024, as AMIkids Day at the State House.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to AMIkids.

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