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OS, Inc. is ecstatic to share we had a fantastic Showcase, we have new member on the IABH Team, and we just released our first ever ONLINE STORE!
Keep your eyes open for the 2025-2026 Webinar Booklet. OS, Inc. is just getting started and cannot wait for another successful school year!
As the school year is in full swing, if you need any technical assistance or support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We are here to support you and your Team in any ways we can.
| | Snowball Showcase 2025 Recap | | |
The 2025 Fall Snowball Showcase was a success! The day was filled with lots of networking opportunities, new connections being built, and new information being absorbed. Over 140 attendees were able to build relationships, brainstorm new programming opportunities, and hear from amazing speakers who brought new perspectives to OS Team!
If you weren't able to make it to the Fall Showcase, we hope to see you at the 2026 Spring Showcase. Stay tuned for the Spring Showcase announcements, speaker lineup, and so much more!
| | Welcome Rija Khan to the IABH Team | |
We are incredibly excited to welcome Rija Khan to the IABH staff and the OS, Inc. Team as the newest graphic designer!
Rija Khan is a Graphic Designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has developed a strong foundation in visual storytelling, branding, and marketing, with strengths in illustration and design. Her professional background reflects a deep appreciation for the ways design can elevate communication, strengthen identity, and expand outreach. Rija is dedicated to using design as a purposeful tool for clarity, creativity, and connection. She approaches each project with thoughtfulness and attention to detail, ensuring that visuals not only capture attention but also communicate meaningfully. With a strong commitment to wellness and behavioral health, Rija is eager to contribute her skills in support of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health. In her role, she will collaborate across all of IABH’s programs to develop visual materials that inform, inspire, and connect communities throughout Illinois.
For any OS Team that is in need of logo design or any graphic design consultation Rija will be available to assist!
| | Bullying Prevention Month | |
Bullying is the use of force, coercion, harmful teasing, comments, or threats in order to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate one or more others. This behavior is repeated and habitual.
In recent studies of students (ages 12-18)
- 20.8% report being physically bullied
- 53.6% report being verbally bullied
- 51.4% report being socially bullied
- 13.6% report being electronically bullied
The best ways to prevent bullying are
- Help students understand what bullying is (the various types of bullying)
- Keep lines of communication clear and open
- Encourage students to do what they love
- Model how to treat each other
Bullying, cyberbullying, racism, hatred, LGBTQ+ discrimination and homophobia is a direct cause of mental health issues and an epidemic. STOMP Out Bullying® | Cyberbullying & Bullying Prevention. (2025). https://www.stompoutbullying.org/
PACER Center. (2025). National Bullying Prevention Center. https://www.pacer.org/bullying/
Peterson, S. (2024, January 31). National Bullying Prevention Month. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-bullying-prevention-month
Red Ribbon Week Campaign. (2025). Red Ribbon Week activities for students. Red Ribbon Campaign. https://www.redribbon.org/activities/students
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The West Aurora OS Team took full advantage of the OS, Inc. Facilitation training as they prepared to lead activities at their freshman Snowball event next month! This training was spent taking the Team through new activities, the basics of leading activities and discussions with younger classmates. We are incredibly excited for this Team and their event next month!
The OS, Inc. Facilitation training is free to any accredited OS Team, and can be done whenever suits your Team's schedule and is personalized to best fit the needs of your programming. Contact Prevention Specialist, Michaela Price, michaela@ilabh.org, to schedule your Team's training today!
| Thornton Fractional South OS | | |
Thornton Fractional South OS Team was incredibly busy during September and Suicide Prevention Month. From volunteering during their local suicide prevention walk/run and giving presentations to their peers about current trends, resources, and asking for help. This Team has been working hard to make their community a safe and educated place where mental health is talked about openly and students feel seen and supported.
Each OS Team has different levels of programming and engages in a variety of different activities, events, and retreats throughout the school year. OS, Inc. wants to share all of the amazing things you all are doing this year. Feel free to share photos and small recaps with Michaela Price, michaela@ilabh.org to be featured on OS social media and in the monthly newsletter.
| | St. Teresa's Youth Center OS | | |
St. Teresa's Youth Center OS Team presented a workshop on "Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing". They used their skills of facilitation to enhance the skills and knowledge of other young people in areas of coping mechanisms, boundary setting, reducing stress, and overall self-awareness. IT was a great evening of building new connections, engaging in meaningful conversations, and working to better their community.
OS, Inc. is incredibly proud of the work being done by OS Teams throughout the state of Illinois and far beyond! If your OS Team has an event, please feel free to tag OS, Inc. on social media and share photos with Michaela Price, to be included on the OS social media and monthly newsletter!
| | OS Board of Directors Youth Advocate Spotlight | | |
Emaan Sheikh from Hinsdale OS shares some history about Red Ribbon Week along with some extra tips and tricks ahead of Red Ribbon Week:
"Every year in late October (23rd-31st) schools and communities across the nation come
together to celebrate red ribbon week and all it starts for. This week is a campaign focused on encouraging students to make safe, healthy, and drug free choices. Red ribbon week began in 1985 in memory of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who gave his life fighting against drug trafficking. In his honor, friends and neighbors began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to living drug-free and promoting awareness in their communities. What started as a local act of remembrance grew into a national movement. Since then, it has grown into the largest drug prevention awareness campaign across the United States.
This year I think it's especially important to “be kind to your mind”. Being drug-free isn't just about saying no to drugs, It's about saying yes to yourself, your goals, and your well-being. It encourages us all to prioritize mental health, seek positive coping strategies, and surround ourselves with people and habits that continue to lift us up. Choosing to live drug-free is not just a one-time decision. It's a lifestyle built on self-respect and strength.
This reminds us that our choices impact not only our bodies but our mental health and our
future. Across classrooms we can find themed days to acknowledge the importance of being drug-free and all that Red Ribbon Week stands for. But this week is more than just dress up days, it's a chance to have real conversations whether at school or at home. It's important to talk about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of living a life full of purpose and positivity. Throughout the week I hope that everyone will wear their red ribbons proudly and commit to making choices that lead us to a bright and healthy future. When we support each other and stand strong together we can create a drug-free community in which everyone thrives."
| | Now accepting OS Board of Directors Nominations! | | |
As an OS Team or individual member it is your right and duty to nominate an individual who you feel would contribute greatly to the continued progress and success of Operation Snowball statewide. OS Board Members have the responsibility to come together as a group to ensure that decisions are made to make service better to every single member.
Responsibilities include: Attend four Board Meetings a year (four via conference call), participate in at least one committee, attend your regional meeting (one per year), attend a Snowball in your district, participate in OS, Inc. initiatives (adult leader's conference, awards banquet, trainings, etc).
Open Positions: There are EIGHT open positions for Adult individuals who would like to serve on the Board of Directors. Applicants must be 19 years old or older to be considered. There are SIX open positions for Youth leaders who would like to serve on the Board of Directors. Applicants must be a junior or younger to be considered.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, November 10, 2025 at 12:00PM (CST)!
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Is Snowball Team hosting a Snowflake or Snowflurry event?
Is your Snowflake Team hosting a Snowflurry event?
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Over the past few years, OS, Inc. has noticed that some of our data is not completely representative of the students that are receiving OS programming, especially at the middle and elementary school levels.
With that being said, moving forward any Team that is hosting an event at another school, whether it is a Snowball, Snowflake, or Snowflurry must file an accreditation form for the school that the event is being hosted at!
If you are the primary Adult Mentor for your Team and the separate school your Team is holding an event for, please fill out the accreditation form yourself. If you have another Adult that is your contact and support at the school please have them fill out the form!
We know that it is the busy season for numerous Teams, so if you are needing assistance please reach out to our Team for support.
We appreciate your support and cooperation as we are working on maintaining and showcasing the true reach and fidelity of OS programming throughout the state of Illinois and beyond!
| | OS, Inc. On-Demand Virtual Trainings | | |
Available all school year
FREE to any OS Team, adult, or student
Located in the OS Member Portal on our Website
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This year all of our trainings will be pre-recorded for OS Teams to watch whenever the time is convenient and will be FREE. We have amazing new speakers to give our Teams the best available resources and information!
Feel free to watch any training as often as you'd like and make sure to check out our official training booklet below to see all of the amazing individuals we are working with this school year! If you decide to do a "watch party" with your team, please share that with us, so we can record the reach of each training.
Videos will be available starting November 17, 2025! You will receive access information at that time!
| | OS, Inc. Online Store Launch | | |
Are you looking for some new OS merch? Do you want something new to wear at your next OS event? You are in luck, OS, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of our new Online Store! Supplies will only be available for a limited time, so make sure to grab an OS mental health shirt or OS Leader shirt while they are available.
The OS, Inc. Online Store will be open until October 25, 2025, with the current designs! The store will reopen in the spring with two new designs!
Each design is available in a t-shirt, long sleeve, crew-neck, or hoodie option! Along with the different material options each option will have a variety of colors to choose from:
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T-shirt – kelly green, royal blue, black, sport grey
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Long sleeve – ash grey, royal blue, black
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Crew neck - ash gray, black, royal blue, Irish green
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Hoodie - ash grey, black, royal blue, Irish green
| | Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute Mid-Year | | |
Mid-Year Priority Registration is now open to all CGTI 2025 Action Teams and individual attendees.
Operation Snowball Teams that attended CGTI 2025 can register between September 17 and October 31 with priority access and will be emailed a password by IABH Staff the day of registration. Any Teams interested in the CGTI Mid-Year that did not attend CGTI 2025 can access general registration starting November 1 and going until December 15 or until we reach capacity.
Anyone 18+ and graduated can apply as Volunteer Staff using the same application. Volunteer Staff will be required to arrive Friday, January 16 at 10AM CST for Staff Training. Youth Staff that attended CGTI 2025 but have not yet graduated will apply as high school participants. Volunteer Staff applications will close October 31.
Location: Marriott Hotel & Conference Center | Bloomington-Normal, IL
When: January 17-18, 2026
Cost: $180 shared room | $330 single room
Cost includes overnight stay, meals, event manual and shirt
Theme: Reach for the Stars!
This year’s theme is all about thinking above and beyond, turning dreams into realities and spreading positive change far and wide.
| Focus Youth Gambling Prevention | | |
Generation Lead is proud to share successful cross program support with Operation Snowball since the launch of our campaign. 18 OS Teams have requested materials to distribute in their school and community, and they range across the entire state – 12 in northern Illinois, three in central Illinois and three in southern Illinois.
OS Teams have distributed materials uniquely to support their yearly goals. Some ideas include putting up campaign posters in high traffic areas, handing out stickers during lunch period, adding tabling at club fair for Snowball and adding Generation Lead postcards and talking kits to their table materials. The possibilities are endless!
Thank you to the following OS Teams for expanding your prevention initiatives to include Generation Lead:
- BTG OS
- East Leyden OS
- Elmwood Park OS
- Glenbrook North OS
- Highland High School OS
- Highland Middle School OS
- Joliet OS
- Massac County Drug Awareness Coalition (MCDAC) OS
- Monroe County Coalition OS
- Nazareth Academy OS
- Red Bud OS
- Stevenson OS
- Streator OS
- Thorton Fractional OS
- VVSD OS
- Wauconda Youth Advisory Board OS
- West Leyden OS
- Wheeling High School OS
- Young Leaders in Action OS
You can place an order for professionally printed materials to be delivered right to your school or organization – for free! Materials available include posters, talking kits, postcards, stickers, and bookmarks. Order now and join Generation Lead in educating communities on the effects of substance use in youth.
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MISSION STATEMENT: Operation Snowball is an international youth program that empowers student leaders through prevention education, community advocacy, and leadership development to a create positive impact.
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937 South Second Street | Springfield, IL 62704
217.528.7335 ext. 27
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