Hoyleton Youth & Family Services

Make a difference in a child's life by getting involved today! https://lnkd.in/g44Rguv To make a donation: https://lnkd.in/eZT-W3r

Nothing beats a warm drink on a chilly day! Hoyleton staff enjoyed celebrating Coffee Day with a special coffee/hot chocolate bar at our Fairview and Hoyleton locations.  Thank you CHEERS, our staff engagement committee, for making this day special!

The theme for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. As the month long celebration concludes we would like to once again recognize the work our Puentes de Esperanza team does for the Hispanic community on a daily basis. The future for many in this population has been changed for the better because of the support, resources and education provided.

Transitioning from school to adulthood can be challenging for any young person. For those aging out of the foster care system, it can be even harder. In late September Youth Villages held a Partner Summit in Chicago, bringing together LifeSet partners from across ten states for training and networking. Sharon Schultz, Director of Child Welfare spoke at the conference to share how Hoyleton has partnered with Youth Villages since 2019 and how LifeSet has impacted the young adults we serve. Hoyleton partners with Youth Villages to provide the LifeSet program for our youth who are preparing for independent living and aging out of care. LifeSet is an individualized, evidence-based community-based program that is highly intensive. LifeSet specialists meet with participants face to face at least once each week. They text, email and call young people regularly throughout the week, when needed. Specialists stabilize even the toughest situations and help young people build healthy relationships, obtain safe housing, education and employment. LifeSet is one of the nation’s first — and now one of the largest — evidence-based programs helping young people who age out of foster care. More than 20,000 young people have been helped through LifeSet across the country since the program began in 1999. Learn more about our Emerging Adult Care here: https://lnkd.in/gsSGh2yz Our youth in care are eligible for LifeSet at age 17-1/2. If you think back to those years transitioning from school to adulthood, you know a lot of it wasn’t easy. Young people who age out of the foster care system often don’t have someone to help them on their path. In December, our young adults living at Lehre House and Hagar House in our transitional living program became eligible when DCFS approved a continuum contract for high acuity youth with complex care needs. LifeSet partners play an integral role in making sure that every child aging out of foster care can access the help they need to achieve their goals. Youth Villages provides training and ongoing support to public and private agencies to help ensure the success of the program and fidelity to the model in each location. 

Check out the latest from the PEERS Press! This month we cover Global Diversity Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Diwali, Polish American Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week, and National Coming Out Day.   The #dei Advisory Council at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, called P.E.E.R.S. (PROMOTE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER, REDEFINE, SUPPORT) works to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are ever present at Hoyleton. The mission of our council is to be intentional about our commitment and to empower our staff, clients and members of the communities we serve. The P.E.E.R.S. Press is a monthly newsletter created to educate staff on social and cultural issues.

We're #hiring a new Training and Development Specialist in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We would like to send out our heartfelt thanks to Hoyleton Board Member Ann Ferguson-Stephens for her commitment to our mission. Ann served on our board for nine years and spent one term as our Board Chair. We experienced substantial growth and accomplished lofty goals during her leadership. Thank you Ann for your passion and dedication to Hoyleton!

Everyone deserves access to quality mental healthcare and support. Together, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health and eliminate barriers so we can build a more inclusive, supportive environment for all.

A heartfelt thank you to CompuType Computer Services, Sam & Kathleen Habermehl, Larry & Pat Kaburick, ImageNet Consulting, IT and Office Technology Providers, Laner Muchin, Ltd., Marsh McLennan Agency, and Moneta Group for being our Par level sponsors for the 2024 Hoyleton Golf Classic! We're looking forward to a wonderful round of golf and a fantastic day on the greens. See you all Friday!

We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with gratitude and growth! Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on and celebrate the rich culture, contributions, and history of the Hispanic community. Starting in 2004 as a "church without walls", Puentes has grown exponentially over the past 20 years! Since 2020, Puentes has tripled the number of individuals served by expanding their reach to rural communities and offering virtual services. This growth has been made possible through the formation of strategic partnerships with local nonprofits and civic organizations throughout the metro east and southern Illinois area. Thank you to everyone who has supported Puentes and helped us achieve these milestones. Together, we'll continue to build bridges!