Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a skills-based training that teaches adults (and teens, through a separate program) how to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use issues in young people (ages 6-18), helping them connect to appropriate professional help using a 5-step action plan. Light refreshments will be provided.

JCFS employees can register via UltiPro. 

Non-JCFS employees can register here.

Objectives:

• Identify signs: Recognize warning signs and symptoms of mental illnesses (like depression, anxiety, psychosis) and substance misuse in youth
• Understand youth: Learn about typical adolescent development and the specific mental health challenges young people face
• Learn the ALGEE Action Plan, a practical 5-step plan to help:
  • Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
  • Listen nonjudgmentally
  • Give reassurance and information
  • Encourage appropriate professional help
  • Encourage self-help and other support strategies
• Feel confident connecting to care: Guide young people toward therapists, counselors, support groups, and other resources

Register today

You're invited to a powerful evening of performance and conversation sponsored by Response for Teens, Keshet, CHUSY, and Beth Emet!

This compelling solo performance explores themes of identity, community, and navigating the spaces in between. The evening will include the 90-minute performance, a short break, and a post-show talkback with the artist.

Register Today!

Want to learn more beforehand?
Join us for a virtual info session on Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 PM.

You'll hear from the sponsoring organizations, as well as Mac Cherney himself, and learn more about the performance content and local resources.

Learn more at the Sidewalk Lily Productions website.

Response for Teens will host the Clothesline Project in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month. You are invited to experience this compelling, interactive presentation that shines a spotlight on sexual assault and domestic violence.

Literally a clothesline is hung with dozens of t-shirts that have been created by survivors of abuse and assault, the Clothesline Project is a visual display of violence statistics that often go ignored. Each shirt is made by a survivor of violence or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence.

The Clothesline Project will be available for viewing during Seigle open hours, 9-5pm from April 1 - April 10.

The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence and abuse, to honor a survivor’s strength to continue, and to provide another avenue for them to courageously break the silence that often surrounds their experience.

If you are visiting the Clothesline Project, please consider bringing an item from the list of essentials our partner the YWCA Evanston/Northshore supplies to survivors at their domestic violence shelter. All items should be in a bag or packaging.

• Full sized bath towels
• Hand towels
• Shampoo and conditioner for textured/curly hair
• Bar soap and body soap
• New and unused women’s underwear (briefs in various sizes)
• Full sized flat bed sheets
• Full sized fitted bed sheets
• Regular sized pillowcases
• Unscented body lotion
• Hats, scarves, and mittens
• Toilet paper, Kleenex, and trash bags
• Gift Cards (Target, CVS, Jewel Osco, Walgreens, Walmart, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar)