[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE GRAND OPENING OF OZONE HOUSE'S YOUTH FACILITY

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2020

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the grand 
opening of Ozone House's youth facility.
  The Ozone House is a community-based, non-profit organization that 
has been devoted to helping youth in crisis for the past 50 years. In 
Washtenaw County, nearly 1,300 youth experience homelessness annually 
due to situations that arise from neglect, abuse, mental illness, or 
other crises. In 1969, Ozone House was established to address this 
problem and help young people in the community learn how to lead safe, 
healthy, and productive lives. Each year, the Ozone House provides 
refuge for over 800 young people and arranges over 4,000 hours of 
professional counseling services at two locations in Ann Arbor and a 
drop-in center in Ypsilanti.
  Today, we celebrate the opening of Ozone House's new youth facility. 
The opening of the newly-constructed 19,000 square-foot building 
demonstrates the organization's continued unrelenting commitment to 
youth in Michigan, as it allows the organization to improve its 
services and counsel more youth than ever before. The facility will 
provide more space and privacy to youth navigating trauma and crisis 
and will afford them a new sense of security, stability, and 
consistency. In addition to 16 private bedrooms that can sleep 32 young 
people, the facility will offer counseling rooms, an expanded food and 
necessities pantry, three kitchens, and laundry and shower facilities. 
Ozone House's new facility will positively impact the lives of hundreds 
of youth throughout our community and empower them to get though even 
the toughest of circumstances.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating 
the grand opening of Ozone House's new youth facility. In their 
commitment to providing a safe space for young people to help them grow 
and recognize their talents, the Ozone House continues to be an asset 
to the community. I am grateful for Ozone House's positive impact and 
wish the organization continued success in the years to come.

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