April is Alcohol Awareness Month | | |
During Alcohol Awareness Month this April, we highlight the importance of discussing alcohol use with your teen(s) and some strategies for fostering healthy communication around this topic. While there have been meaningful declines in teen substance use within the last decade, it is still true that alcohol poses serious risks for teens' health and development in both the short and long-term. Read more
| | Celebrating Amber Bond, LCPC, FSG Executive Director During Counseling Awareness Month | | |
FSG is honored to celebrate Counseling Awareness Month and the integral work Amber Bond, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) does to support our community through her skilled and compassionate practice along with leading FSG as its Executive Director.
Amber proudly serves as FSG's Executive Director while participating in our clinical and crisis teams and maintaining a counseling caseload. Her training as a counselor included individual and group psychotherapy, clinical supervision, community counseling, and ethics, contributing to the expertise that enhances our community and fulfills her professional mission to improve people’s lives. Post-Master’s, Amber gained advanced training and experience working with children and adolescents, family therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and divorce mediation. She became a National Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NCCMHC), reflecting her advanced training, ethical standards, and years of experience. She also earned a Perinatal Mental Health Certification, denoting her advanced training and expertise in supporting the mental health of parents at all stages of their fertility or adoption process through postpartum period. Amber is engaged in cultural humility practice and is passionate about supporting clients from diverse backgrounds. She uses a strength-based approach, working alongside clients and clinicians to remove barriers to personal growth and development.
Thank you, Amber, for your continued excellence in serving our community through your work as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor!
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Tickets are selling fast, so get yours today!
We warmly invite you to join us for our annual fundraising benefit, Glencoe Under the Stars, the evening of Friday, May 2, 2025 at Northmoor Country Club in Highland Park.
Funds raised from the benefit will directly support vital mental health and social services, allowing FSG to expand its reach and continue providing services to all in need, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
Please join us for this very important event. Purchase your tickets, secure sponsorships, and enjoy an evening under the stars for our annual benefit.
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TECH SENSE
FREE Single-Session Parent Consultations
Create a Tech Plan for Your Family
Feeling anxious parenting this new generation? Is technology having an effect on your children and home life? FSG is here to help you navigate these challenges!
Ana Balthazar, MFT, FSG Staff Therapist is holding FREE Single-Session Tech Sense Consultations by appointment focused on:
-limiting screen time and social media exposure
-encouraging real-life social interactions
-teaching emotional regulation
-building resilience through problem solving
Contact Ana today at 847-461-1164 or ana@familyserviceofglencoe.org.
English, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking support available!
| | Upcoming and Ongoing Programs | | |
For parents of children Pre-K through grade 12 (open to all schools/school districts)
Join your peers in conversation about the universal challenges we face as parents. FSG clinicians will facilitate discussions relevant to your child’s age and development.
The session will be an open discussion without a set topic. We encourage you to bring your ideas on any concerns you'd like to address. Simply fill out a topic card and drop it in our topic basket, and the FSG clinician will kick off the conversation!
Some ideas for discussion:
Are my kids overscheduled?
How can I help them cope with worries?
What steps can I take to foster my child’s independence?
What’s my role in helping them with social concerns?
How much screen time is too much?
Is my child being bullied, or is it social conflict, and how do I manage this with them?
ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE
Next session:
Parents of High School Students
Facilitated by:
Tara Bagnola, LCSW
FSG Staff Therapist
Wednesday, May 7th
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Takiff Center - Community Room 3
Click below for dates for all age groups and to register.
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Dementia Caregiver Support Group
Monthly Meetings
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Are you caring for someone living with dementia?
You are not alone.
Join us for a supportive and confidential space where you can connect with others going through similar experiences.
Facilitated by:
Emily Mysel, LCSW,
FSG Senior Program Manager
and
Judy Altman, LCSW,
Guardian Home Health Care
Next meeting:
May 8th
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Glencoe Park District - Takiff Center
999 Green Bay Road
Glencoe
This support group will meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month, offering ongoing guidance, encouragement, and resources.
RSVP Required
Please email
emily@familyserviceofglencoe.org
or call 847-461-1668
FSG is proud to partner with Guardian Home Healthcare to present this program.
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Vibrant Living Senior Discussion Group
(regularly scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month)
Thursday, May 15th
1:00 - 2:30 PM
This discussion group is led by FSG Staff Therapist, Joan Merlo, LCSW, and focuses on finding meaning, balance, and resilience in the struggles, joys, and intergenerational politics at this most important stage of life. Judy Roin will conclude the sessions with closing exercises and meditation.
Please RSVP to Joan Merlo, LCSW at joan@familyserviceofglencoe.org.
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Senior Housing Program
Did you know that FSG offers a Senior Housing Program to Glencoe seniors in need?
The program offers financial assistance and case management to qualified seniors living in Glencoe.
Case Management includes:
· Family consultations
· Well-being checks
· Summer weekly produce delivery
· Food pantry grocery pick-up and delivery
· KNOXBOX assessment
· Holiday food & gift distribution
· Coordinating home repairs with Rebuilding Together
Please visit our Senior Services page to learn more. If you or someone you know could benefit from FSG's Senior Housing program, please contact Emily Mysel, Senior Program Manager, at emily@familyserviceofglencoe.org or call 847-835-5111.
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Wilmette Mental Health Fair
Tami Sollo, LCSW, FSG Clinical Director joined community partners on April 5th at First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette as they discussed "Navigating the Anxious Generation: How we can Empower our Kids."
FSG continues to be a support in our community as it pertains to children's mental health and is proud to provide services that directly address this very important issue. If you need support guiding your children in their use of technology, we invite you to call us today.
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The Alumnae Association of Northwestern University
On April 14th, Emily Mysel, LCSW, FSG Senior Program Manager, presented to The Alumnae Association of Northwestern University on Dementia Friendly Communities and other aspects of dementia care for patients and caregivers in our communities. With a specialty in educating clients and their families on the complexities of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia and in collaborating to make Glencoe and other nearby communities and organizations dementia friendly, Emily provides wisdom and structure in how we all can best support this delicate population and build a stronger more inclusive community for people living with dementia.
The Alumnae Association of Northwestern University it an all-volunteer women's organization providing support to the University in the form of grants, scholarships, fellowships, an endowed professorship, and support for summer internships, as well as providing "brick and mortar" funds for campus buildings and renovations.
| | Supporting Our Community Partners | | |
FSG is grateful for the support of our community partners. For more than 100 years, the net proceeds from the Winnetka Congregational Church's semi-annual Rummage events has been a key source of the funding to support local area social service agencies, and FSG is one of their grant recipients!
Please support them during their upcoming 2025 Grand 2-Day Rummage Sale.
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You can make an impact in your community today!
If you prioritize affordable and accessible mental health and social services for everyone in your community, then we deeply appreciate your support.
| | | | Connect with us on our Website, Facebook and Instagram! | | Family Service of Glencoe | 847-835-5111 | info@familyserviceofglencoe.org | | | | |
