It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

As we get ready to say goodbye to another year, let's take a moment to reflect on this year's successes, missed opportunities, and challenges. Reflecting on the year is a simple but powerful way to understand our experiences and get ready for what's coming.

We started the year with a list of goals that were quickly accomplished, including redesigning our Commission logo; redesigning our Website to be informative, transparent, and accessible in four languages: English, Spanish, Polish, and Arabic; developing an Online Resource Guide; developing our FY25-FY28 Strategic Plan; updating our Grant Application; updating our Funding Guidelines; and increasing staff to successfully meet our strategic planning goals. To say we have been busy is an understatement.

The Commission thanks our team, funded agencies, and community partners for their hard work and commitment. Your contributions are the foundation of our success and we look forward to achieving even greater success together in 2025.

Welcome Commissioner Erin Miller

The Commission welcomes LaGrange resident, Erin Miller to the board. Commissioner Miller is a former teacher and has a son with special needs.

We are excited to have her on our Board and look forward to her helping the Commission achieve its mission, vision, and goals.

Congratulations to the FAST Program Graduates!

The FAST Program (Family and School Together) is family engagement program that supports child well-being and learning readiness, empowers parents, and builds social capital so children can thrive. Cathy, our Program Manager and soon-to-be Certified Trainer, along with Stan Dembouski, Certified Trainer, coordinated the program in Summit School Dist. 104, and had a total of 8 adults and 16 youth participants.

The Commission on a Mission

Check out last month's community outreach and education efforts.

Commission staff volunteered at the Rotary Club of La Grange Santa's Workshop, a holiday gift program that services children 0-17 years old in Lyons Township.

Director Jazmin Lopez helps Trinity Lutheran School (Burr Ridge) students prepare 400 hotdogs for Beds Plus residents.

On November 13, Myla, a Therapy Dog from PAWSitive Therapy Troupe and her owner, Ann Wolff, LCSW, spent the evening at the Summit Public Library. NAMI Metro Suburban coordinated their visit as a part of the Commission's Let's Connect: Hope after Tragedy, a collaborative response to the lives tragically lost in the community of Summit due to gun violence. Youth Crossroads, NAMI Metro Suburban, and Pillars Community Health offered bilingual crisis support to the community at the Summit Public Library days following the loss.

The Mental Health Commission sponsored pizza for a Movie Social at the Center for Independence and Working Together Chicago for the viewing of Disney's "Out of my Mind". Melody Brooks is navigating sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy. With the help of some assistive technology and her devoted allies, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.

Mark Your Calendars!

Have you used our Online Resource Guide?

Our Resource Guide is a comprehensive list of organizations that serve our communities and is updated regularly. Easily find organizations that meet your needs by entering a keyword in the search bar.

Visit our Resource Guide

January Regular Board Meeting

The Commission's next Regular Board Meeting is Monday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Township of Lyons, Community Room, 6404 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525

We are proud to fund the following organizations that serve

the residents of the Township of Lyons.

Click on a logo to be connected to that

organization's website:

Connect with us!