Title
Special recognition of Oscar Parham, Executive Director and Founder of Home Away From Home Youth Development & Reentry.
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RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Oscar Parham was released from the Illinois Department of Corrections in 2019, after enduring a 30-year sentence for a crime he did not commit; and
WHEREAS, upon his release, Oscar dedicated his life to service, becoming the Youth and Young Adult Mentorship Director at the Legacy Reentry Foundation in Lake County, Illinois, offering guidance, hope, and leadership to young people navigating reentry and adversity; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2022, Oscar achieved a significant milestone by graduating with honors from North Park University in Chicago, earning a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry with Restorative Arts-a program he began while incarcerated; and
WHEREAS, Oscar Parham has used his voice and experience to advocate before legislators on behalf of Parole Illinois, a vital organization seeking the reinstatement of a parole board to bring justice and second chances to those who have received unfair sentences; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, bolstered by wide support from communities across Lake County and the greater Chicagoland area, Oscar and his wife Trina Parham founded Home Away From Home Youth Development & Reentry, an organization rooted in his lived experience, academic training, and unwavering commitment to uplifting youth; and
WHEREAS, Home Away From Home Youth Development & Reentry stands as a beacon of hope and transformation for our community’s most vulnerable and underserved youth, working with gratitude and humility to actively engage with young people through encouragement, mentorship, education, and preparation for success; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Home Away From Home Youth Development & Reentry is to break the cycles of violence and poverty by empowering at-risk and impacted youth to become the next generation of leaders, and its vision is to foster connections that challenge oppression, promote equity, encourage inclusion, and reverse the trends of poverty in marginalized communities; and
WHEREAS, we welcome all members of our community to engage with, learn from, and partner with this organization as it works to build a brighter, more just future for our youth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that Oscar Parham, highlighted by Board Member Gina Roberts, is recognized for his extraordinary resilience, leadership, and vision. Oscar is a testament to the power of redemption, purpose, and community-driven change.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on June 10, 2025.