IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION congratulating Marilu Herrick, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Rainbow Center for Communicative Disorders, on the occasion of her retirement on June 30, 2022.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21026, August 15, 2022
INTRODUCED BY Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Marilu Herrick, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Rainbow Center for Communicative Disorders, retired on June 30, 2022; and,
WHEREAS, Marilu is a pioneer in the field of intellectual and developmental disorder services, having founded Rainbow Center in 1977 after seeing a need for intensive therapeutic intervention within an academic setting; and,
WHEREAS, since then, the Rainbow Center has provided a positive, self-esteem building day school for students with severe communication deficits and behaviors, including, all aspects of autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome; and,
WHEREAS, the Rainbow Center moved into its first independent facility in 1990 and, in 1996, opened Rainbow Options, an adult day habilitation program which now serves fifty adults with severe disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Marilu is a master at creating partnerships in the community, and using her skills, she developed a gentle, welcoming culture that empowers its ninety employees and a thriving volunteer environment; and,
WHEREAS, Rainbow Center Day School serves seventy-five students this year and has partnerships with approximately twenty school districts across the five-county area that, because of Marilu's reputation and achievements, foster hope for parents and brings success for their children; and,
WHEREAS, Marilu believes that "there is always a way to teach someone, it's just up to us to figure out how"; and,
WHEREAS, Marilu's co-workers will miss her knowledge and expertise and her impact will be felt for generations; and,
WHEREAS, her family and friends join in congratulating her on this momentous occasion; n...
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