Join the Kennedy Forum for a Mind Matters discussion on Mental Health Strategies for Reaching Youth 8:00-9:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, at Chicago Cut Steakhouse. Mental health conditions are common among teens and young adults; 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses develop by age 14 and 75% develop by age 24. Mind Matters will feature Read More

Experience the transition from fall to winter. Consider volunteering in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. There are opportunities throughout the county for people of all ages and experience levels.  See the details.

Wellness in the Woods: Deepen Your Connection to Nature takes place on Saturday, Nov 16, 1:30 p.m., at Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland. As the nights grow longer, let go, relax, and deepen your connection to nature’s yin seasons with the energy practice of Qigong. This indoor and outdoor session of Read More

Treat yourself to an encounter with nature that will awaken your senses and renew your bonds with the natural world. This peaceful, walking experience in the woods will reduce stress and help you live in an embodied, inspirited way. Led by Joy Clough. Takes place at Swallow Cliff Woods – North, Calumet Sag Rd/Rte 83, Read More

Free hands-on workshop, teaching basic camping skills for youth groups. Topics include fire building, setting up a campsite, using a camp stove, dressing for the weather and camp etiquette. Open to scouting, school and organization-based youth groups. Takes place at Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest.  Registration required:  Call 708.386-4042 or email experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov

Last week, Advocate South Suburban Hospital ushered in a new wave of economic hope for Chicago’s Southland community, by launching the fourth and final installment of the Advocate Workforce Initiative – a health care jobs training program that since 2015 has connected over 900 unemployed and underemployed adults with skills training for good paying, middle Read More

In an effort to help our communities live well, Advocate Aurora will invest $50 million in underserved Illinois and Wisconsin neighborhoods to help address economic, racial and environmental disparities that impact community health outcomes. Learn more about the commitment.

See how Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and other hospitals across Chicago are addressing patients’ mental health needs beyond their visit to the hospital.  Read the article. 

New Resource Available   Rev. Kirsten Peachey recently co-authored “Generative Leadership: Releasing Life in a Turbulent World,”which is the fruit of 18 months of intensive, lively collaboration by 23 people from seven countries on five continents. Generative Leadership is a form of leadership that draws from the Leading Causes of Life framework that invests in what is Read More

Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Help is available. The Department of Health and Human Services launched FindTreatment.gov, a new website designed to help Americans looking for substance abuse treatment locate services near them. Visitors to FindTreatment.Gov can access information on treatment options, payment and insurance, and the locations of over 13,000 state-licensed treatment facilities Read More