November is National Runaway Prevention Month! Dear Friends of Oz, Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with troubling news stories? We know that feeling. But, every week something good is happening at Project Oz. Through our programs more kids are reaching out for help with mental health concerns, making good choices about alcohol and other drugs,… Continue Reading
Prevention
Project Oz in the News!
Exciting developments and news are happening at Project Oz so fast, it’s hard to keep up! Below are the highlights of the last several months. Please sign up for our newsletter HERE so you don’t miss any future news. PETER RANKAITIS RETIRES AND WELCOMES OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LISA THOMPSON As Project Oz celebrates its… Continue Reading
Also posted in News, Updates Tagged drug abuse, education, health, high school, jobs, mentors, prevention, Project Oz, youth Comments closed
Thanks For Making #GivingTuesday 2017 A Success!
We are awed and thankful for the generosity our supporters have shown on #GivingTuesday. We received over $4,000 in total donations before funds are matched from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The contributions received will translate into helping improve the lives of youth in need of homes, and guidance, in our community. Our Facebook… Continue Reading
Also posted in News, Updates Tagged #givingtuesday, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, community, suicide prevention, youth Comments closed
How to Help on #GivingTuesday
Dear Friends: We are asking for your support on Tuesday, November 28th! Double your impact by visiting our Facebook page and making a donation between 7:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m, CST. Every donation made on #GivingTuesday will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation! Proceeds to this campaign will help local homeless & runaway… Continue Reading
Also posted in News Tagged #givingtuesday, Bill & Melinda Gates, homeless, prevention, runaway, youth Comments closed
Project Oz Prevention Specialist Colleen O’Connor Receives Award
Congratulations to Project Oz Prevention Specialist, Colleen O’Connor, CPS, CADC, who was awarded the 2017 McLean County Public Health Award by the McLean County Board of Health last week. “Colleen O’Connor makes a difference in the lives of young people by teaching Youth Mental Health First Aid classes within the community. She shines shines as… Continue Reading
#Talk2Somebody
Dear Friends of Project Oz, Did you know that if all the runaways in the United States lived in a city, it would be the fifth largest city in the US? Project Oz works hard every day to scale that city back. It starts by getting youth to #Talk2Somebody. We all need somebody to talk… Continue Reading
Also posted in News, Updates Tagged #givingtuesday, #Talk2Somebody, prevention, runaways, safe place, youth Comments closed
Federal Grant Will Help Project Oz Curb Sexual Exploitation
“The efforts of Project Oz to combat youth homelessness, exploitation, and sex trafficking are crucial not just for McLean County, but for Illinois as a whole. “Project Oz is exactly the kind of local resource we need to prevent this criminal industry from growing and save at-risk children in our communities from becoming victims. Thank… Continue Reading
Also posted in News, Updates Tagged #givingtuesday, #Talk2Somebody, federal grant, homelessness, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, WGLT, youth Comments closed
Join our Youth Action Board for upcoming October – November Events!
NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY WHEN: October 28, 2017, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM WHERE: Normal Police Department, 100 E. Phoenix Avenue, Normal, IL WHAT: Dispose of your unwanted and/or expired prescription drugs safely. The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription… Continue Reading
Also posted in News, Updates Tagged 5K, drugs, Miller Park, police, school, spookacular, YAB, youth, Youth Action Board, zoo Comments closed
‘Never an option’: Teens, adults discuss ’13 Reasons Why,’ suicide
“The Ending the Silence program is not about suicide. It’s about hope. It’s not about how bad things were. It’s about how good things can get.” Colleen O’Connor, Project Oz Prevention Specialist, explained during the discussion at Normal Community West High School, Normal, IL, about the Netflix television series “13 Reasons Why” and the topic… Continue Reading
Also posted in News Tagged 13 reasons why, crisis, depression, help, high school, pre-teens, self-harm, suicide, teenagers, teens Comments closed
Project Oz’s Opioid Prevention Communication Campaign
Prevention Specialist Colleen O’Connor, CADC, discussed the opioid epidemic and Project Oz’s upcoming Opioid Prevention Communication Campaign with WJBC on 7-11-17. Please listen to the interview here.
