Contact us:

info@livewelllakecountyil.org

Website:

http://www.livewelllakecountyil.org

Lake County, IL's largest collective impact initiative to advance health equity

We are excited to introduce you to the dedicated co-leaders of the Live Well Lake County Access to Care Action Team. Each brings a unique passion, experience and a little bit of fun to their leadership. Get to know them a little better below!

Venoncia M. Baté-Ambrus

Executive Director of Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County

What’s your favorite nostalgic cartoon or childhood show?

Wonder Woman

If you could swap jobs with any fictional character for a day, who would it be?

Wonder Woman

What is your ultimate road trip snack combo:

Nuts, seeds and Vegan Licorice – Green Apple or Cherry preferred

Amanda M. Simanek

Associate Professor, Chicago Medical School and Director, Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research, Rosalind Franklin University

What’s your favorite nostalgic cartoon or childhood show?

I was more of a Sunday morning newspaper comic kid than a Saturday morning cartoon kid and pretty much loved reading them all (as well as doing the Daily Jumble and Crossword).

If you could swap jobs with any fictional character for a day, who would it be?

After saying I wasn't that into cartoons, I'm going to turn around and say Jem, from Jem and the Holograms, so I could live out my secret rockstar dreams (and be truly outrageous).

What is your ultimate road trip snack combo?

A ginormous gas station fountain Diet Coke and pretzels.

Interested in learning what affordable housing really means and what the needs are in Lake County? Then join us for this free virtual workshop on Tuesday, July 22nd from 6:00 -7:30 p.m! You'll also get an update on what housing initiatives are happening in Lake County and how you can get involved.

Please register to receive the Zoom link: 

How do you design and facilitate collaborative meetings in a way that is intentional, meaningful, and spurs action?

In this two-day online workshop from Collective Impact Forum, learn about tools and strategies to help you more intentionally plan, design, and facilitate meetings that are results-driven and move your collaborative forward.

This will be an active workshop including facilitation resources, small group time, and personal work.

Workshop Dates and Times:

• Tuesday, July 29, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET (US & Canada)
• Wednesday, July 30, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET (US & Canada)

Registration Closes: July 25, 2025

Contact Angela Baran at angela.baran@hfnlc.org if interested in this workshop opportunity.

Essentials for Collective Impact:

2025 Workshop Series

Essentials for Collective Impact is Collective Impact Forum's series of online workshops that focus on skills and knowledge in four key areas to support collective impact and place-based collaboration.

With the Essentials series, you can choose to register for all four workshops or sign up for the individual workshops that interest you most.

Each Essentials session includes a half-day workshop, plus the workshop presentation, related resources, and three-months access to the workshop recording.

Introduction to Collective Impact and the Backbone Role

Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET

Introduction to Systems Change for Collective Impact

Tuesday, September 30, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET

Critical Communication Practices for Collaboratives

Thursday, October 16, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET



Tools for Collaborative Engagement and Planning

Thursday, October 23. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET

Contact Angela Baran at angela.baran@hfnlc.org if interested in this workshop opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who completed the Community Partner Assessment (CPA) Survey. The data will be used to uncover the strengths and assets in our community and help us determine which topics we want to explore more deeply. The MAPP 2.0 Steering Committee is currently reviewing the results and will be releasing a full report in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out in the August newsletter!

Lake County Housing Initiatives - Summer 2025 Update

Housing is a hot topic in Lake County and is the focus of multiple initiatives working synergistically on different aspects. These initiatives include:

Live Well Lake County Housing Action Team

• Audience: housing organizations, advocates and people who have experienced housing insecurity
• Updating objectives and strategies
• Seeking members to host in-person and virtual workshops on affordable housing basics and effective advocacy for housing solutions
• Planning housing summit for late 2025/early 2026

Lake County Coalition for Housing 

• Audience: municipal staff and elected officials, business and development leaders, and community advocates
• Participants will go through a six-month intensive process designed to produce implementable solutions
• Kicks off in late July

Joining Forces for Affordable Housing – Lake County Coalition

• Audience: anyone interested in advocating for affordable housing in Lake County and its communities
• Developing committees of community members and stakeholders for communities and regions of Lake County
• Educating on affordable housing basics and effective advocacy for housing solutions 
• Advocating for local and state policies related to affordable housing 
• Research and advocate for housing funding solutions and strategies

If you would like to support or get involved in any or all of these, please contact Liz Nelson (lnelson@connect2home.org, 847-475-7070, x148), Co-Chair of the Live Well Lake County Housing Action Team and Associate Director of Advocacy – Lake County at Connections for the Homeless.

Holistic Wellness Forums

The Holistic Wellness Forum is a transformative community event designed to nurture mind, body and spirit. This dynamic gathering blends the healing power of gardening, sound bowl therapy, mental health, & education and free health screenings—all in a welcoming space that celebrates self-care and connection. Whether you're exploring holistic practices for the first time or deepening your wellness journey, the forum offers accessible, family-friendly resources to spark empowerment and well-being. Access the QR code above to register! Join us in cultivating healing from the ground up—because wellness starts where we grow together.

American Heart Association's Heart Walk

Join the Heart Walk and Build a Nation of Lifesavers!

The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk is more than a walk – it’s a movement. 9 out of 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital don’t survive. Together we can change that. That’s why we’re rallying our communities to take action and learn Hands-Only as a part of our bold goal to double survival rates from cardiac arrest.

By learning Hands-Only CPR and supporting Heart Walk, you’re helping create a Nation of lifesavers – empowering more people to acti in a moment that matters. Walk with purpose. Learn a lifesaving skill. Be the reason someone survives.

Housing Action Team

Housing Action Team meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Please contact Liz Nelson or Joel Williams  for any questions and a link to join the meeting.



Peers with Lived Expertise (PLE)

Peers with Lived Expertise (PLE) weekly meeting is held every Thursday from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. These meetings are held via Google Meets.

Please contact Billy Coleman for any questions and a link to join the meeting.