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News

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

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#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

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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

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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

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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

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‘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

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New Host Homes Needed in Livingston County

Are you willing to open your heart and your home to help keep young people safe and strengthen families? Temporary placement (1-3 nights) in the Host Homes program helps provide families with time to resolve conflicts and problems. When a situation has become more than a youth or family can immediately deal with, Host Homes… Continue Reading

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Internship Program Builds Bridges to Success

Summer days were anything but lazy for Bloomington-Normal high school students participating in Project Oz’s Learning & Leading program. This year, 33 students completed the 8 week paid internship program, with placements at State Farm, Country Financial, Growmark, and the Illinois Farm Bureau. The program helps bridge the opportunity gap for low-income students and students… Continue Reading

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