September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Did you know that 17% of McLean County 10th graders and 15% of 12th graders report that they seriously considered attempting suicide in the past twelve months? The NAMI Ending the Silence program, presented locally by Project Oz in collaboration with NAMI Mid Central Illinois, brings in-school mental health… Continue Reading
Author: Shannon Spaid
Project Oz Fall News and Updates
Posted in News, Updates Tagged behavioral health, DC, dueling pianos, homelessness, hope, mural, suicide prevention, Washington, youth Comments closed
November is National Runaway Prevention Month!
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
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
Posted in News, Prevention, Updates Tagged drug abuse, education, health, high school, jobs, mentors, prevention, Project Oz, youth Comments closed
Walking For Project Oz
Nathan Henthorn will walk the 2,600 mile Pacific Crest Trail beginning March 18, 2018 at the southern tip near San Diego, CA, and ending at the northern tip at the Canadian border. Along the way, he plans to raise awareness for the plight of homeless and runaway youth, and raise money for Project Oz to… Continue Reading
Posted in News, Updates Tagged backpack, camp, hike, homeless youth, Pacific Crest Trail, runaway youth, walk 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
Posted in News, Prevention, 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
Posted in News, Prevention 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
Posted in News, Prevention Tagged depression, mental health, prevention, suicide, teen Comments closed
#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
Posted in News, Prevention, 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
Posted in News, Prevention, Updates Tagged #givingtuesday, #Talk2Somebody, federal grant, homelessness, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, WGLT, youth Comments closed
SAVE THE DATE for #Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2017
SAVE THE DATE for GIVING TUESDAY, November 28, 2017. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving, fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday & Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and… Continue Reading
