Volume 3 Issue 1 March 2026

President's Letter

As we move into 2026, Meg’s Legacy keeps focus on our mission of giving hope to young people in their darkest moments.

Since our founding in 2023, we have granted over $300,000 to Illinois organizations providing critical mental health services and suicide prevention programs for youth and young adults. Every dollar goes directly to funding counseling hours, crisis intervention, and programs that break down the harmful stigma surrounding mental health.

Our Grant Committee is busy evaluating requests in this 3rd grant cycle, and we are poised to announce up to $300,000 to be awarded in April. This is nearly 80% more than our 2025 grants! Meg’s Legacy continues in providing hundreds of counseling hours for vulnerable teens navigating trauma, depression, poverty, and mental health crises. Additional to direct counseling, we will continue funding evidence-based programming in schools and organizations that reach affected youth.

Giving hope and strengthening such at-risk lives is what your continuous generosity and donations provide for our mission. We are grateful for your gifts as we grow significantly. Our focus has expanded to support even younger children who struggle with mental health, as statistics show suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for children 10-14 years old!

Together we are making a difference,

Larry Butz

Meg’s Legacy of Hope is proud to have granted these outstanding organizations in 2025. If you would like to learn more about their exceptional programs and support of youth in our community.

When Mental Health Concerns Lead to Hospitalization: Guidance for Parents/Guardians

written by Alie Kirch, MSW, PEL

Making the decision to take your child to the hospital for mental health concerns can be incredibly stressful, especially if your child self-harms or has suicidal thoughts. Many families first learn about these concerns from the child’s school. When a student expresses suicidal ideation or engages in self-harm behaviors at school, staff typically conduct a threat or risk assessment and promptly share their findings with parents or guardians.

2025 By the Numbers

In 2025, Meg’s Legacy of Hope granted about $170,000 for counseling, education and support for youth in our communities. Here is a brief overview of those awarded programs.

Click on READ MORE if you’d like more information about these exceptional organizations.

MEG’S GIFTS OF LOVE

Thanks to all who donated gifts during the holidays to Meg’s Gifts of Love. We collected 585 toys from donors at Hawthorn Woods Country Club, the Ayvazian’s event, Hawthorn Woods Community Bank, MVP Sports, and Tacos Guanajuato. Gifts were distributed to children through POC and PADS.

Partners for Our Communities (POC) in Palatine. These families are working through trauma, and most everyone struggles with poverty, employment and language.

PADS Lake County offers support to anyone experiencing a housing crisis for immediate, individualized access to resources and services, generally temporary and non-recurring.

“Meg’s Gifts of Love” is a toy drive that helps us carry on Megan’s efforts to share gifts with under-resourced families, with the hope of bringing glimpses of joy to those in our communities needing a little extra love and care.

Why give to Meg's Legacy?

Every dollar you give will help to fund counseling sessions, provide crisis intervention or support educational programs that save young lives.
We are a 100% volunteer-run organization
Your gift goes directly to youth mental health services in Illinois
Proven impact across Illinois communities
We are breaking the stigma, one conversation at a time

Together, we're turning tragedy into hope. 🌸

Donate Today