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Recommended Reading:
"Why American Teens are So Sad"

This April 2022 article from The Atlantic discusses four forces that are propelling the rising rates of depression among young people.
The article can be found HERE

Past Presentation:
Stephanie Lowe Burry

We had an excellent turnout on March 16th with author and counselor Stephanie Lowe Burry. She shared her strategies for communicating with your teen including: two words to include in discussions with your teen, how to speak your teen’s love language and what to do if your child says they stressed or depressed. To see the presentation click HERE

What's New with grit2?

grit2 is Downers Grove Library's ORGANIZATION OF THE MONTH!

We are excited to be May's Organization of the Month at the Downers Grove Library! We will be featured in their newsletter and social media as well as onsite at the library. Our very own Ann Cummins will be on the library podcast "Cover to Cover" talking about grit2 with hosts Cindy, Lauren and Ed. A big thanks to the library for all they do!

We would like to welcome six New Members to our grit2 Advisory Board! And, of course, thank you to our amazing continuing members: Michele Doose, Dr. Erin Ludwick, Lisa Marsicano, Leslie Murphy and Peggy Tomchek.

Sara Courington is the Associate Principal for Student Services at Downers Grove South. Prior to this role, she was a classroom special education teacher, Dean of Students, Special Education Department Chairperson, and an Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. She received her BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from North Central College. Sara is a resident of Downers Grove.

Kate Hahn is the Membership and Wellness Director at the Indian Boundary YMCA and has worked in the fitness industry for 12 years as a Group Exercise instructor and Personal Trainer after graduating from the University of Illinois. She grew up in Darien and now lives in Downers Grove with her husband and three children.

Amanda Klenk is the Teen Services Coordinator at the Downers Grove Public Library where she develops the teen collection, provides outreach services, and coordinates programming for middle school and high school students. She holds a BA from Indiana University and a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University in Boston.

Heather Lippe is a Social Worker, working at the Village of Downers Grove. She has a Master's in Social Work from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Benedictine University, Lisle. She is a full time Social Worker for the Village with a thorough understanding of the resources available to help people in need of referrals for a variety of social services including, mental health, substance abuse, housing or homelessness, domestic violence, child/elder abuse, or sexual abuse.

Sandra McDonnell is the Executive Director for Navigate Adolescence.

Matt Neustadt is currently a 7th grade math teacher at O’Neill Middle School. He is a lifelong Downers Grove resident, attending Longfellow, Pierce Downer, Herrick, and Downers Grove North. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at National Louis University, a Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University and a second Master’s Degree at Western Governors University. He lives in Downers Grove with his wife and two teenage sons.

Upcoming Events Sponsored by Our Partners

Together for Mental Health Alliance

Partner Events

CATCH: Community Action Together for Children's Health

Lunch & Learn Series
Your Child's Mental Health & Family Dynamics
Mental illness can make family life difficult. Join us and learn how to talk openly about mental health and address the challenges so that everyone thrives.

Wednesday, April 20th.
This event is aimed at families of high school juniors and seniors planning to attend college and will provide invaluable tips for parents to help them put a game plan and safety net in place BEFORE their child begins their freshman year.
Bonnie Lane, https://thefamilysupportservices.com/, will join us.
Register here: https://bit.ly/35RudgG

GLENBARD PARENT SERIES
visit GlenbardGPS.org for registration and details

Thurs., Apr 14., 12pm and 7pm:
Glenbard Parent Series
Cara Natterson, MD: The New Science to Decode Teen Behaviors and Relationships

Tues., Apr 19, 7pm
Glenbard Parent Series
Stephen Hill and Panel: First Choice and Second Chance: Prioritizing Health and Self an Inspiring Story of a Young Man’s Battle with Addiction and Journey to Recovery

Tues., May 3, 7pm
Glenbard Parent Series
Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington: Grown & Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family and Raise Independent Adults

Follow Us for More Info!

A FEW RESOURCES YOU SHOULD KNOW

Here are a few resources we recommend you follow for information and events:

grit2.org grit2 Facebook/ Twitter /Instagram

grit2 Resource page

NAMI

CATCH

Glenbard Parent Series

Help grit2 Help You!

Please TAKE OUR SURVEY to help us tailor future proramming to meet the needs of our community.

We couldn't stay true to our mission as a community organization without focusing on the issues our members feel most strongly about. Thank you in advance for your time!

grit2 is a Downers Grove-based 501(c)3 offering local education opportunities for parents focused on raising resilient teens that flourish in today’s world. For more information please visit www.grit2.org

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Grit2 · 4837 Northcott Ave · Downers Grove, IL 60515-3436 · USA