Resilient Heroes, NFP

09/25/2025

SUCCESS!! Resilient Heroes’ first fundraising event was incredible! Thank you to everyone who supported near and far! Our movie viewing was a success with support from our sponsors, attendees, donors, friends, family, first responders, and veterans. Thank you all for joining us in the fight against first responder and military/veterans su***de. ❤️❤️

Thank You Sponsors: GARRETT POPCORN, DUNKIN DONUTS, ELI’S CHEESECAKE, PALERMO BAKERY, COSTCO, & STARBUCKS

09/19/2025

WE ARE LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY!!
Attention All Military, Police, Firefighters, Dispatchers, Paramedics, and Supporters.....

Join Resilient Heroes for our fundraising event Wednesday Sept 24th at 6pm. Estelle Sieb Community Center 7774 w. Irving Park Rd, Norridge IL.

Featuring the Film, 'MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE.' This film follows Merit, a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran coping with PTSD and the loss of Zoe, her best friend in combat. Along the way, Merit reconnects with her estranged grandfather, a Vietnam veteran facing his own struggles with mental health and resistance to seeking help.

Blending dark comedy with hard-hitting truths, the film sheds light on critical issues surrounding mental health, trauma, and su***de.

Following the screening, Resilient Heroes’ Founder, Liz Pol, M.A., will lead a thoughtful reaction discussion.

Purchase your tickets now at www.resilient-heroes.com Your ticket includes the film viewing plus complimentary snacks and beverages generously provided by our sponsors: GARRETT POPCORN, ELI'S CHEESECAKE, PALERMO BAKERY, DUNKIN DONUTS, COSTCO

09/11/2025

Everyone remembers where they were that tragic day when the unimaginable unfolded. Not many people can fully grasp the immense courage it takes to walk towards danger, knowing you may never return home to your loved ones. That day countless brave men and women gave their lives answering their calling, while many innocent victims lost their lives simply by starting what would have been an ordinary day. We will always remember and honor the heroes and the victims forever!

09/08/2025

It was a pleasure to be a speaker at the 1st Responder Conferences Atlantic City, New Jersey. Thank you to Shawn Thomas and all of her team for putting together such a great conference. Thank you to all of the attendees for their time and attention, I met some pretty awesome individuals!! And yes, Arlo was jealous when I got home and he picked up the scent of other therapeutic pups! 🤣🤣

08/28/2025

Join Resilient Heroes for our upcoming fundraising event featuring a special screening of MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE.

This powerful film follows Merit, a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran coping with PTSD and the loss of Zoe, her best friend in combat. Along the way, Merit reconnects with her estranged grandfather, a Vietnam veteran facing his own struggles with mental health and resistance to seeking help.

Blending dark comedy with hard-hitting truths, the film sheds light on critical issues surrounding mental health, trauma, and su***de.

Following the screening, Resilient Heroes’ Founder, Liz Pol, M.A., will lead a thoughtful reaction discussion.

Your ticket includes the film viewing plus complimentary snacks and beverages generously provided by our sponsors.

08/19/2025

All Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, Dispatchers, & Military/Veterans!! Join us next week Wednesday 8/27 (0800-1200 hrs)for our trauma and su***de psychoeducation hosted by the Cook County Emergency & Regional Security.

To register:

https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0B4FABAF29ABFFCE9-57373928-resilient

08/16/2025

It was truly an honor to present for the
FBI NAA Illinois Chapter Retrainer at the Midwest Security & Police Conference / Expo. A very special thank you to Carmen Navarro Gercone and Samuel Parma for the invitation to speak and their support.

We often hear about leadership and the importance their roles play in supporting the members of their agencies. This room was full of TRUE leaders that were interested in learning about trauma and su***de, and want to do the most possible to help the members of their agencies! Thank you Chiefs!!

07/29/2025

Last week, Arlo and I were invited to speak at the Illinois Attorney General's Office. We presented on Recovering from Trauma for the Veterans Employee Resource Group on Health and Wellness. Thank you so much to Jennifer Lee and Alexandra Golota for putting together such an amazing event. We had a great group of individuals that attended from various office branches within the Attorney General's Office. Everyone was so welcoming and extremely loving towards Arlo! It appears that everyone enjoyed meeting Arlo, while he truly loved interacting with everyone he met.

www.resilient-heroes.com

***de

07/23/2025

Thank you to Sheriff Robb Tadelman and Sgt. Michael Christensen for hosting our NEMRT - North East Multi Regional Training certified Trauma and Su***de Psychoeducation training at the McHenry County Regional Training Center. Arlo and I had a great group of officers today and successful training.

www.resilient-heroes.com

07/15/2025

Over the past two weeks— particularly surrounding the Fourth of July holiday—we have seen families gather to celebrate with fireworks, festivals, parades and travel, which brings joy to many. However, behind the scenes, our first responders are facing a significant rise in traumatic incidents: deadly vehicle accidents, gunshot victims, drownings, burn victims, decapitated heads and bodies that explode from fireworks and explosive devices. These are just a few examples of the distressing and graphic scenes they are called to handle.

How does one go home and rest their head on a pillow, and fall asleep after seeing some of these images from a tour of duty? The emotional and psychological toll of such experiences is often invisible to the public. For those on the frontlines, the challenge is not just witnessing these events, but returning home trying to carry on as though everything is normal. The truth is, trauma affects everyone differently. Some experience more, some less. Some manage to cope, while others struggle silently. Regardless how it manifests, TRAUMA IS TRAUMA! Those who do not process these traumas—must understand that it's not a matter of IF, but WHEN it will catch up with them. We must remain vigilant and supportive of each other. This means checking in on one another ensuring we are utilizing the resources for our self care. Being proactive with our mental health and addressing trauma early on are essential to preventing crisis that may lead to suicidal ideation.

No one is immune to su***de. Never assume that it cannot affect your loved one—whether a spouse, parent, sibling, friend, or colleague. Lets work together to proactively educate every member of the military and first responder, as well as their families and communities who support them, in the fight against su***de.

Visit:

Resilient Heroes provide First Responders with the knowledge and tools for self-care and living healthy lives during and post their careers. By providing officers with the knowledge of stress and adversities to trauma, we can provide them with the tools for self-care and the capacity to advocate men...

06/24/2025

Alrlo and I were invited to be guests on WRMN Talk Radio 1410 AM to talk about therapy dogs. Thank you to our host and Navy Veteran, Bill Palarenos for having us on. We discussed the impact that these amazing animals have on individuals and Arlo’s role with Resilient Heroes, NFP.

***de

Click to watch:

Today we had Liz Pol and Arlo on the air to talk about Therapy DogsFind out more information here!: www.resilient-heros.com