360 Youth Services Announces Scot Thurman as New Executive Director
Naperville, IL — Youth-centered, community-based nonprofit 360 Youth Services has selected Scot Thurman, J.D., M.A. as its next executive director. 360 provides life-changing services to youth through substance-use prevention education, counseling and housing in the Naperville, Aurora and surrounding communities. Thurman is a long-time member of the Naperville/Aurora community and brings a wealth of education and experience to his new role. Prior to joining 360, he spent nine years as the director of youth and community services for the Aurora Township and before that, seven years as the youth director at Wayside Cross Mission in Aurora. He has also been active in community leadership roles, such as with the Rotary Club of Aurora, while teaching law and leadership (among other topics) at local universities and colleges. “Scot is a positive and energetic leader. His passion for serving youth, collaborative leadership style and community organizing experience will be great assets to 360 moving forward,” said 360 Board Member and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois President and CEO Mike Bertrand. “I’m excited to work with Scot and confident that 360 will be well-positioned under his guidance to thrive in the years to come.” A native New Yorker, Thurman completed his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor Degree at SUNY Stony Brook and the University at Buffalo Law School. He began his professional career in Washington D.C., working in areas of government contracts, grants, procurement, and various areas of corporate law. After spending five years in our nation’s capital, Scot relocated to Chicago where he spent over ten years working for Fortune 500 companies in the areas of corporate, regulatory, and transactional law. Thurman pursued his first career change after obtaining a Master’s Degree from Moody Theological Seminary and worked in various areas of community outreach and ministry with a focus on youth. Currently, he is also working on a Ph.D. in Community Psychology at National Louis University in Chicago. “I’m excited to dig in and see how I can help this amazing organization, which has been impacting lives for the past 50 years, continue to grow and serve more youth within our communities,” Thurman said. “My passion for our community’s future fuels my desire to learn, advocate for, and empower our youth. They are our future!” As executive director, Thurman will work closely with staff, as well as other organizations and leaders within the community to ensure 360 will continue to play a critical role in providing youth-centered programs.
360 Youth Services and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois reach an agreement to be stronger together
https://youtu.be/AJRTdhNpLCs Naperville, IL — Today, the leadership team of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) announced they have finalized an agreement to bring 360 Youth Services under the organizational umbrella of LCFS. 360 Youth Services will continue to operate as a separate social service non-profit, retaining its name, mission, values, and services, but with LCFS providing administrative support and governance. Both organizations are committed to working together to strengthen and grow the youth and family-centered prevention, counseling, and housing programs provided by 360 to Naperville, Aurora and surrounding communities. “Our organizations saw each other as a good fit because our missions, values, and commitments around being welcoming to marginalized youth are in such strong alignment,” said LCFS President & CEO Mike Bertrand of the agreement. “Having raised my family in Aurora, I’m aware of the incredible impact 360 has had in this community over the last 50 years, and I want this to continue. What made 360 attractive to LCFS is their preventative services because I believe we need to offer support to more children and families before they reach a crisis point.” Together the two organizations already serve more than 5,600 young people and their families throughout Illinois, and hope to grow that impact. LCFS has a very strong commitment to serving older youth and currently they are one of the largest providers of services to adolescents in Illinois’ child welfare system. 360 is the only youth-specific service provider for young people experiencing homelessness outside of Chicago in the state of Illinois. “Our programs and impact are strong, but as a small non-profit we’ve faced administrative challenges,” voiced 360 Interim Executive Director Dawn Melchiorre. “LCFS’ organizational support will allow us to focus on serving more young people and their families in order to fulfill our vision of a community where all youth possess the necessary skills to successfully navigate life’s challenges.”
Empowering Positive Impact with Operation Snowball
I am fortunate that Operation Snowball has been a part of my life for a very long time. I benefited from the program as a teen, returned as an adult volunteer staff member, and two and half years ago I became the Snowball Manager. The best part of Snowball to me is the opportunity to bare witness to the growth of those who choose to be a part of this community. Recently, I was able to connect with our most recent Teen Directors, Olivia Zabel and Jenna Smiley, and ask them about their Snowball experience. Jenna and Olivia planned the event and led their staff to create our first in-person Snowball retreat since 2019. The event hit max capacity for the space and was overall an incredible experience. The theme of the event was Who I am, and the participants were encouraged to reflect on their experiences and explore their own personalities. What have you learned through Operation Snowball? Olivia shared that through Operation Snowball, she how to be herself, take off the metaphorical mask that she wears and ask for help when I need it. These things are something she felt like she always struggled with especially when in middle school and when she first started high school, but through Operation Snowball she was taught how to be her true self. She said, “People should respect me for Who I Am.” Olivia also learned that asking for help is ok and it doesn’t make you weak, but it makes you stronger. Olivia Zabel and Jenna Smiley leading a large group session focused on reflection Jenna was able to learn that it is ok to take a healthy risk and be able to be your true self. She also learned that you are not alone with hard times. It is ok to be vulnerable and talk to other people about hardships that you have gone through. Even if people you talk to aren’t going through the same thing, the environment teaches people to lend a helping hand. How does Operation Snowball impact social emotional health? Olivia and Jenna believe that Operation Snowball impacts social-emotional health because it gives you a great support system and it provides you with so many resources that are available for you to use. Operation Snowball gives people the opportunity to talk about things that people go through so that they feel empowered. Jenna shared that she was able to make new friends who were able to support me during the good and the bad. Being in a judgment-free environment without social pressures meant she could remove the mask and be herself in a healthy, safe environment. What was the most meaningful part of the weekend? Jenna enjoyed seeing people reach out and be vulnerable. It is amazing how others can show their heart and be able to support someone. This program has given Jenna hope to get out of hard times. As a staffer and teen director seeing people being vulnerable and getting comfort out of activities you planned is beautiful. People have said that snowball was the place to express themselves. For Olivia helping to grow the Snowball community for our in-person Snowball in two years was particularly special. Though it was not easy at times, she felt it was the most rewarding and most worthwhile thing she has ever done. She said that “since my Freshman year at my first Snowball “Unstoppable” I remember telling my best friend that when I was old enough, I wanted to be on staff, lead a small group, make a small group area, and be a Teen Director, but I remember not being super hopeful about accomplishing it all. Looking back, I wish that I had more faith in myself because it all came true and I couldn’t be more proud of the weekend that we made.” Something else that was super meaningful to Olivia was that the small group that she helped lead, was full of all first-time Snowball participants and at the end of the weekend, they all said that they were all for sure coming back in the spring. This was amazing to hear because even though they have never been to a Snowball event before, they all loved the weekend and want to do it again in the spring and even go on to future years! Why should someone join us in the future? Olivia thinks that someone should join us in the future because Operation Snowball is one of the most caring, accepting, and loving communities there is. Through this program, She has learned so many amazing life lessons and skills that she can use now and in the future. Nowadays, she feels like connections have been lost through the whole pandemic itself, but with Snowball, you connect with so many people from different backgrounds, different schools that you otherwise wouldn’t have known before, but now you talk to them every day. “All in all, Operation Snowball is one of the best communities that you can be a part of and you can join us for a Spring event April 23rd and 24th! Take the healthy risk to sign up, you won’t regret it!” Olivia Zabel Jenna says people should join us in the future because it allows people to be themselves and get away from the stressors of everyday life. People can connect with others with different perspectives from different schools. They can learn how to help others and how to be themselves. Operation snowball is a great community that is amazing to be a part of. Come join us in an experience you will never forget! What did you and your peer get out of the Staff experience? Olivia made new connections with people throughout Snowball Staff and got more of an understanding of how to facilitate and lead groups. Jenna gained a second family that is always loving her for who she is and was able to gain the knowledge on how to help others in a warm
360 Youth Services Recognized by Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ Inclusion Efforts
Naperville, IL — Today, 360 Youth Services- Youth in Care Program, proudly announced that it is being recognized in 2021 Change-Makers, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s third annual report highlighting 119 child welfare agencies across the country who have worked with the HRC Foundation’s All Children – All Families (ACAF) program to improve the services they provide to the LGBTQ+ community, including children in foster care, 1 in 3 of whom are LGBTQ+, and prospective foster and adoptive parents. These organizations serve more than 1 million clients annually in 35 states and employ more than 24,000 employees. “Safe and affirming housing is our number one priority for the young people in our programs at 360 Youth Services. We are humbled to receive recognition for the 2nd year in a row for our work with LGBTQ+ young people in care” stated Carolyn Wahlskog 360 Youth Services’ Executive Director of Housing. “Thank you to the HRC for naming us an Innovative Partner in supporting young people to live their most authentic lives.” “The third edition of our Change-Makers report shows that, despite the many hardships of the last year, more organizations than ever before are working alongside the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to make impactful change for the LGBTQ+ youth and families they serve,” said Alison Delpercio, Human Rights Campaign Foundation Director, All Children – All Families. “This year’s participants also demonstrated a growing commitment to intersectionality and ensuring organizational policies and practices do not reinforce the same systems of oppression that put youth and families at risk in the first place. By taking on these challenges, the change-makers featured in our 2021 report are models for youth-serving professionals everywhere.” The release comes at a time when many have been sounding the alarm about the particular risks foster youth face due to COVID-19. LGBTQ+ inclusion work in foster care systems could not be more important. Studies have shown us that LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care, and that child welfare systems must do more to ensure that the trauma of foster care, where LGBTQ youth already face an increased risk of both negative experiences and outcomes, is never compounded by that caused by unsafe and non-affirming foster homes: Approximately 1 out of every 3 youth in foster care is LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ youth report higher rates of mistreatment while in care LGBTQ+ youth report more frequent placement disruptions LGBTQ+ youth report a higher likelihood of being placed in congregate care settings The agencies featured in this report conducted an internal self-assessment, provided professional development to staff and implemented ACAF’s “Benchmarks of LGBTQ Inclusion,” which track policy and practice changes within agencies. The 2021 Change-Makers report features three “Tiers of Recognition,” which celebrate the progress agencies have made toward becoming fully welcoming to their LGBTQ+ clients. With 32 new participants this year, ACAF also expands the program’s reach into six new states — Alabama, Connecticut, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico and North Carolina — and the District of Columbia for the first time. 92% of participants met a tier of recognition, and 14 of the returning organizations advanced to a higher tier of recognition. Innovative Inclusion: 44 organizations met all 25 applicable criteria and are going beyond to innovate their services for LGBTQ+ youth and families Solid Foundation for Inclusion: 40 organizations met all 25 applicable policy and practice criteria for LGBTQ+ inclusion Building Foundation for Inclusion: 25 organizations met foundational criteria, including non-discrimination protections The report features profiles of four child welfare organizations that are setting the bar for LGBTQ+ inclusion while adapting to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and responding to calls for an end to systemic racism — including in child welfare: Vista Del Mar in California; Extraordinary Families in California; Texas Casa in Texas; and 360 Youth Services in Illinois. The report also features interviews with individuals who have been impacted by LGBTQ+-inclusive services, including: Manuel Padilla, a foster parent in Colorado; and Victoria, a former youth in care and now trainer at Lawrence Hall in Illinois. Since 2007, hundreds of child welfare agencies across the U.S. have used ACAF’s resources to enhance their efforts to achieve safety, permanency and well-being for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Read the full report here.
360 Receives $20,000 COVID-19 Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Dupage County, IL– To help ease the ongoing needs of Illinoisans created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has awarded 360 Youth Services a $20,000 grant as part of BCBSIL’s latest round of giving aimed at helping the helpers. COVID-19 has This grant will support our housing programs for young people aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness. Specifically, it will provide essential support for our transitional housing program for LGTBQ+ youth – one of only two in Illinois – and our new Youth Emergency Shelter launched this year in response to a huge increase in youth homelessness brought on by COVID-19. BCBSIL selected 175 organizations across Illinois with missions focused on access to care, hunger, shelter and behavioral health care, and COVID-19 health education and vaccine access to receive $20,000 grants as part of its COVID-19 Community Collaboration Fund. “A year into the pandemic and the health, economic and social impacts around Illinois are still great,” said Harmony Harrington, vice-president government and community relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “We’re proud to be able to help so many organizations increase their capacity to help more people receive the help they need.” See the full list of grantees. ## About 360 Youth Services 360 Youth Services provides affordable mental health counseling, substance use prevention education, crisis intervention services for at-risk youth, community education and advocacy for vulnerable and marginalized youth, and safe, developmentally appropriate housing for youth experiencing homelessness. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities.
Virtual Public Hearing – FY2019 Action Plan, Substantial Amendment #5
April 14, 2021 Public Hearing If you are interested in attending this virtual public hearing, please contact David McDermott: David.McDermott@dupageco.org to obtain the link or Julie Hamlin Julie.Hamlin@dupageco.org if after 5:00 PM January 20, 2020. April 14, 2021 – FY2019 Action Plan, Substantial Amendment #5 Public Hearing Agenda Link – FY2019 Action Plan Substantial Amendment #5 – Draft
360 Launches Emergency Shelter Pilot Program
DuPage County, IL – 360 Youth Services is pleased to announce the launch of our Emergency Shelter Pilot Program! Thanks to an Emergency Services Grant from DuPage County, we’ll begin offering hotel-based emergency shelter to youth on our waitlist until a space opens up for them in our transitional housing program, helping them through the cold winter months. COVID-19 has drastically increased the need for transitional housing through unemployment, financial hardship and the breakdown of family dynamics. All 38 of our transitional beds are full. We have 20 people on our waitlist and getting more than 20 inquiries a month. Meanwhile, COVID-19 has also reduced capacity at emergency shelters in our area. Many now have waitlists of their own! With nowhere to safely triage the young people on the waitlist, Housing Director, Carolyn Wahlskog, pursued and won an Emergency Services Grant to provide emergency winter shelter for youth. “These young people will be supported by our transitional housing staff,” she added, “so we can work with them in a meaningful way while helping them through the coldest months.” ARE YOU A YOUNG PERSON EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS (OR ARE YOU IN NEED OF HOUSING) 630.961.2992, Ext: 1168To talk to a member of the 360 Housing Team, call or send an email to housing@360youthservices.org
360 Youth Services Executive Director of Housing Named to Governor’s Commission
NAPERVILLE, Illinois — Carolyn Wahlskog, LCSW (she/her) was recently appointed to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Youth Homeless Prevention Subcommittee representing a homelessness advocacy organization, 360 Youth Services. Wahlskog will serve on the newly formed subcommittee along with 14 other individuals representing agencies and organizations from across the state and four youth who have previously experienced homelessness themselves. The committee will review and make recommendations about the discharge policies and procedures for agencies in the state of Illinois that handles youth leaving the state’s custody or guardianship to ensure youth housing stability. The committee was created to better serve youth leaving state systems of care, and to bring Illinois in line with the national goal of ending youth homelessness. “It is important to me to not only make welcoming housing programs but welcoming communities,” Wahlskog said. “It is not enough to run a really great program. We need to lift up youth voice, point out barriers that young people face and be a part of the solution to break down the barriers that prevent young people from being stably housed.” Wahlskog oversees the Cornerstone Group Home for youth in care of DCFS and four Transitional and Rapid Rehousing programs serving youth 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness for 360 Youth Services. In addition to her role on the Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee, Wahlskog also serves on the Leadership Committee of both the DuPage and Kane County Continuums of Care and chairs the DuPage COC Gaps & Needs Committee. She led 360 Youth Services to receive the 2020 Innovative Inclusion Seal from the Human Rights Campaign for her work in serving LGBTQ+ youth in care. She also was named the 2018 National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter Emergency Leader of the Year. ”My ultimate vision is that we won’t need youth housing programs because we will have systems in place that keep families together, broader acceptance for LGBTQ+ youth, that there will be equitable access to jobs, affordable housing and mental health care for young,” Wahlskog continued. For more information on 360 Youth Services go to 360youthservices.org or visit us on Facebook and Instagram @360youthservices For more information on the states Youth and Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee visit www2.illinois.gov/sites/bac/SitePages/AppointmentsDetail.aspx?BCID=1213 360 Youth Services in Naperville, Illinois, provides counseling, and substance use prevention education for youth and families, and provides housing for youth experiencing homelessness. Contact: Stefin Steberl 630.961.2992 ext 1129 ssteberl@360youthservices.org Date: November, 2020 ###
2020 Brings New Leadership to 360 Youth Services
New CEO aims to help kids thrive, not just survive NAPERVILLE— The 360 Youth Services Board of Directors is proud to announce that Judie Caribeaux has been selected as the agency’s new chief executive officer effective February 1, 2020. In 2021, the agency will celebrate its 50th year and board members are excited to begin another decade of growth and youth-centered service under Caribeaux’s leadership. In 2019, the agency provided 15,493 nights of housing for homeless youth, 5,465 counseling sessions for young people, and reached over 25,000 young people though their substance use education programs. “Naperville has consistently ranked as one of the best places to raise children,” said Caribeaux. “There is no better community to rally and unite all of us in helping teens and young adults thrive not just survive.” Judie Caribeaux Caribeaux brings a wealth of experience to the position having worked in several executive positions at non-profit and governmental organizations for over 20 years. In addition to her leadership experience, Caribeaux has a strong background in social services and is a Licensed Clinical Social worker. She was also awarded the Nonprofit Executive of the Year Award in May 2019 by the West Suburban Philanthropic Network. “360 Youth Services will be stronger than ever with Judie Caribeaux taking the agency helm,” said Martin Ives, president of 360 Youth Services Board of Directors. “We are excited to have Judie’s leadership and experience as we continue our work of providing life changing services to our youth through substance use prevention education, counseling, and housing.” Most recently, Caribeaux served as the Executive Director for Family Shelter Services in DuPage County where she led a strategic merger with Metropolitan Family Services. The merger expanded the capacity of the agency’s domestic violence programs, led to the development of comprehensive wrap-around services for victims, and replicated best practices across the organization. At Aurora University, Caribeaux was Director of Career Services and worked with young adults in transition. She also taught graduate level courses in non-profit management at Aurora University. These experiences, as well as launching the Community Career Center in Naperville, stepping in as acting executive director in a time of crisis at the Naperville Park District, and serving as Executive Director at Sharing Connections in Downers Grove, have all helped prepare her for her new role as the leader of 360 Youth Services. “360 Youth Services has a long-standing reputation for immense care and compassion for teens and young adults who are struggling with mental health issues, experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity,” Caribeaux said. “The staff and my predecessors have done an incredible job positioning the agency as an essential non-profit without which there would be a significant void. I’m excited to expand to meet the growing needs of our community.” Caribeaux said that her experiences over the years have taught her how to effectively balance the mission and program delivery side of a non-profit with the business side of the operation. She looks forward to working with the incredible staff of 360 Youth Services and partnering with the volunteers, board members, clients, and the community. 360 Youth Services is a Naperville-based non-profit organization that provides substance use prevention education, counseling for youth and their families, and housing for youth experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit www.360youthservices.org