KIDSMATTER FOUNDATION INC

CAREER PATHWAYS: PARTNERING WITH THE NAPERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS 203 AND 204-DEVELOPED AN AUTHENTIC WORKPLACE LEARNING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR AND SENIORS TO EXPOSE THEM TO CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE DURING THE SUMMER OF 2023. THIS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP EMPLOYABLE SKILLS AND READIES THEM FOR EITHER COLLEGE OR A CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE. DEVELOPED A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING IN DUPAGE AND WILL COUNTIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LINDEN OAKS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.COLLABORATIVE YOUTH TEAM: LEADING THE COALITION OF 35 YOUTH-SERVING NON-PROFIT AGENCIES IN DUPAGE AND WILL COUNTIES, KIDSMATTER WORKS WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF KIDS AND FAMILIES. THIS YEAR WE DISTRIBUTED 1,250 STRESS RELIEF CARE PACKAGES TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGH OUT DUPAGE & WILL COUNTIES. WE ALSO LAUNCHED A KINDNESS CAMPAIGN.PROVIDED A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES INCLUDING A JOB FAIR, VOLUNTEER FAIR, GAME AROUND THE WORLD, YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS, AND A STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.THE CRISIS TEXT LINE WAS LAUNCHED AS AN OUTCOME OF THE STRESS MANAGEMENT SURVEY. THE LINE HAS RECEIVED 2,143 CONVERSATIONS AND HAS PRODUCED 10 ACTIVE SAVES SINCE ITS LAUNCH. THE LINE IS FOR ANYONE WHO IS IN CRISIS. IT PROVIDES A TRAINED COUNSELOR, AT THE END OF THE LINE, WHO IS READY TO LISTEN, WITHOUT YOU EVEN SPEAKING BY TEXTING "REACH" TO 741 741 FROM ANYWHERE IN THE US.HELD 8 EDUCATIONAL FORUMS ON TOPICS THAT ARE RELEVANT IN OUR COMMUNITY INCLUDING: MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION, RESILIENCE, STRESS MANAGEMENT AND VAPING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION. THESE FORUMS ARE CONDUCTED IN SCHOOLS, THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES AND WITHIN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AREA.