Phone: (309) 827-0377

Updates

Spring 2021 Update

There are always new things happening at Oz! Thanks to our amazing staff, partners, and supporters, we are helping more young people than ever. Read on for a round-up of recent Project Oz news. Building Equity and Expanding Restorative Practices Through a Healing Illinois grant, our Youth Empowered Schools (YES) program has been promoting dialogue… Continue Reading

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Project Oz Fall News and Updates

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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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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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