HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 01012003 - 2003-072 In the Matter of Recognizing Rebekah Cleberg
For Her Commitment to Foster Children by
Establishing the"Suitcases for Kids Program" RESOLUTION NO.2003/72
WHEREAS,Rebekah Cleberg,at the age of 12,recognized that foster children should not have to
carry their belongings in plastic"'trash"bags,and that this has a profound and negative effect on
the foster child's self-esteem; and
WHEREAS, Rebekah Cleberg's family has been fostering children in Contra Costa County for
eight years and,thus,her concern about the self esteem of foster children has been through first-
hand
irsthand experience; and
WHEREAS, Rebekah Cleberg's passion for children and their well-being is exemplified in the
creation of her program, "Suitcases for Kids"; and
WHEREAS,since 1999,the"Suitcases for Kids" program has distributed over 3,000 suitcases for
foster children in Contra Costa County; and
WHEREAS, 100% of the money donated to the program is spent on purchasing suitcases, sport
bags, diaper bags and duffel bags for foster children, from newborn to 18 years; and
WHEREAS,Rebekah Cleberg has expanded the"Suitcases for Kids"program to Alameda County
and will soon reach out to Solano County.She recruits and trains teen volunteers to help manage
the program; and
WHEREAS, On January 8, 2003, Rebekah Cleberg was a guest of Governor Davis's"Stage of the
State Address" for her efforts on behalf of faster children, and
WHEREAS,Rebekah Cleberg is an excellent example of the positive impact youth can have when
they act upon their life experience and make a difference for others;
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra
Costa, California, does hereby commend and honor Rebekah Cleberg for her commitment and
devotion to foster children in the Bay Area,and for setting a positive example for her peers and all
humankind.
PASSED by a unanimous vote of the Supervisors present this 11th day of February 2003.
MARK DeSAULNIER
Chair,District IV Supervisor
I hereby ocrtity that this is a true and cormct copy
of an acme taken and enured on the minutes of
the Board of Supervisors on the date shown:
ATTESTED, February 11,2003
JOHN SWEETEN, Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
r '7
By
RESOLUTION NO.2003/72