Who Are We

Kat Stuehrk Talo (she/they) is a youth worker and educator with a decade of experience in the field of mentoring, violence prevention, community education, and youth development. They studied the arts and humanities and social work at Michigan State University and received their MSW from University of Illinois Chicago’s Jane Addams College of Social Work. She is also a pastry chef, and enjoys utilizing mindfulness in her work, and exploring the intersections of mental health and creativity.

About Response for Teens:
Started in 1970, Response for Teens is a JCFS Chicago program specifically devoted to supporting adolescents (ages 12 through 24) and their families in the Jewish and general community. We provide prevention education, leadership development, and counseling in a teen-friendly environment that empowers youth to make healthy life choices. 

Response for Teens takes a holistic approach to working with tweens, teens, young adults and their families. Our team of Master’s-level counselors, social workers, community educators, and other youth development experts provide an array of services to meet the varied needs of young people in our community.

We believe that youth thrive when they have the information they need to make healthy choices and a safe space in which to receive support. Response for Teens welcomes teens of all religions, races, identities, sexual orientations and ethnic backgrounds.