Contact us:

info@livewelllakecountyil.org

Website:

http://www.livewelllakecountyil.org

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

Welcome to Your December 2025 Network News!


In this edition:

  • Happy Holidays from Live Well Lake County!
  • Training Opportunities - Lake County Housing Forum
  • Partner Events - Lake County Joy Summit
  • Upcoming Network Meetings
  • 2026 Network Call to Action


The Live Well Lake County Network newsletter is a helpful resource to access the latest Network information, CHIP planning updates and more. As we continue to build out our Network communication, we would love your input on what information, stories or tools would be most helpful!


Please email Angela Baran at angela.baran@hfnlc.org with any content suggestions.

 

Happy Holidays from 
Live Well Lake County Network!

 

The Live Well Lake County Network wishes you a peaceful and joyful holiday season. This year brought its share of challenges and we are grateful for the strength, resilience and heart we’ve shown together in community. May the season bring you moments of peace, joy, connection and a renewed sense of hope for the year ahead.

 

Training Opportunities

 
 
 

Big things happen when communities come together! Live Well Lake County is happy to partner and bring you Keys to Home, a FREE community event that is open to ALL — no expertise needed. Join your neighbors, local leaders and changemakers to learn how we can make housing more affordable in Lake County.

 

Featuring keynote speaker Jawanza Malone, Executive Director of the Wieboldt Foundation, who will share powerful insights on how communities can organize for real, lasting change.

 

Network Partner Updates

Lake County Joy Summit

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2026 Lake County Joy Summit is now open! 

Mark your calendars for January 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, as we gather once again for a day of inspiration, connection and JOY!


As a special thank-you, the first 100 people to register will receive a custom 2026 calendar created and designed by none other than one of our featured speakers, Jason Kotecki.


Our 2026 speaker lineup will bring unique insights and powerful messages, featuring:


  • Jason Kotecki
  • Dr. Dominique Pritchett
  • Amber Swenor
    

For event details, speaker bios, and registration information, please visit the Lake County Joy Summit website.

 

Upcoming Meetings

 

Quarterly Network Meeting Schedule for 2026


Friday, February 13, 2026 - 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Virtual Only)


Friday, April 17, 2026 - 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Hybrid)


Friday, July 17, 2026 - 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Hybrid)


Friday, October 9, 2026 - 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Hybrid)

Help Shape the Future of 
Live Well Lake County


Get involved in LWLC’s 1-Year 
Project Plan (2026)


Live Well Lake County is launching an ambitious, community-driven 1-year project plan for 2026 to strengthen how our Network is structured, staffed, funded and engaged. We’re inviting community members, partners and collaborators to lend their time, skills and lived experience to help move this work forward.


What kinds of activities can you support?


Opportunities range from short-term input to ongoing participation and include:

  • Participating in work groups focused on governance, staffing, budgeting and engagement
  • Researching and interviewing other collaboratives to inform LWLC’s future structure
  • Helping assess benefits, risks, and budget scenarios for different operating models
  • Supporting leadership development, including role clarity, onboarding and succession planning
  • Assisting with communications and engagement, such as newsletters, social media content, LWLC 101 orientations and engagement dashboards
  • Contributing to strategic alignment, ensuring working groups and action teams stay connected to the CHIP and LWLC strategic priorities


Project Plan


What skills or experience are helpful?


We welcome people with strengths in:

  • Community organizing or facilitation
  • Research, data analysis or evaluation
  • Budgeting, finance or fundraising
  • Communications, storytelling or graphic design
  • Leadership development, HR or governance
  • Lived experience and strong community connections (no formal title required!)


Whether you can contribute a few hours, join a work group or share expertise in a specific area, your participation helps build a more sustainable, inclusive and effective Network.

 

Interested in getting involved?

Reach out to Angela Baran at angela.baran@hfnlc.org to learn how your skills can support this work.

Together, we can strengthen the foundation for healthier communities across Lake County.