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Local nonprofits highlight youth mentoring and recovery support during public comment
Summary
Two nonprofit representatives—Live for Lolly and Chatter Girls—addressed the committee about youth programming, harm-reduction services and outreach in McHenry County; a community member endorsed Chatter Girls. Board took no formal action on the programs.
Odalys, bilingual outreach coordinator for Live for Lolly, told the committee that the nonprofit provides harm-reduction services, education and community advocacy across McHenry County and that last semester its educator reached 965 students. "We are dedicated to reducing stigma, educating the community, advocacy work, and harm reduction," she said.
Live for Lolly described recent program growth: weekly recovery meetings averaging about 50 attendees, quarterly HIV testing and Narcan training with Greater Family Health, and new SOAR certification to help participants apply for SSI and SSDI benefits. The speaker said SOAR training "has allowed us to walk with and relieve some of the stressors" of lengthy benefits applications.
Alicia, who runs the Chatter Girls program, described the 13-year-old initiative’s mentoring model for girls ages 8 to 14, saying the program focuses on confidence, emotional tools and improving mental-health outcomes. "We teach girls how to build inside of them," she said, adding that high-school and college students serve as mentors.
Community member Laurie Parrish spoke in support of Chatter Girls, saying she had seen the program’s impact firsthand and urged the board to consider supporting the effort in the future.
Chair thanked the speakers and welcomed the organizations’ work. The meeting record shows the public comments were heard but no formal board action or funding decisions were taken during this session.
