Lutheran Social Services of Illinois-Prevention Services

09/18/2025

What a fun event! And such a nice day!
On Saturday, September 14th, our Prevention Specialists got to attend the Superhero Block Party at Trinity Lutheran Church of Mt. Morris. There were police, a fire truck, petting zoo (goats, donkey, sheep, etc.), bounce house (spiderman), games, crafts, and info tables. Several community members and students showed up for this annual event! Free food and drinks were provided along with a lot of fun activities for youth, and there was music and camaraderie for all. Thank you Trinity Lutheran Church of Mt Morris for hosting such a great event for our youth and community!

08/25/2025

Hello all!
Please join Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery & Rochelle Recovery Center on Sunday, August 31st at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. Sunday is International Overdose Awareness Day. Help us Together!

THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 31st is Overdose Awareness Day 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️

📍 Grandon Civic Center
310 2nd Avenue
Sterling, IL 61081

⏰ 10:00 am - 1:00pm

Come and honor our loved ones from Tevin’s Tribe, while raising awareness of overdose in our community.
Addiction does not discriminate, and neither does overdose.
We will also have Narcan, fentanyl test strips and informative information available to all.

Tevinstribe.com

08/15/2025

Recently, our prevention team has participated in some great community events! Tools for School in Dixon, Hidden in Plain Sight events, and National Night Out in Whiteside, Lee, and Ogle Counties.
Thank you to the community members who have joined us for these events and the organizations that have participated as well!
Ogle County Community Mental Health 708 Board Sterling Police Department Lee County Sheriff's Office, Dixon IL Whiteside County Sheriff's Office Dixon City Fire Department

08/05/2025

Come visit our Ogle County team at the Oregon National Night Out and Byron National Night Out this evening! We’re excited to connect with our community, answer your questions, and enjoy a fun night with neighbors, families, and local organizations. We will have resources and some fun goodies to hand out!

Stop by, say hello, and be part of a great evening celebrating community and safety. We look forward to seeing you there!

In partnership with the Ogle County Community Mental Health 708 Board

07/24/2025

Summer is always a great time for our Prevention team, there are a lot of fun events for our Prevention Specialists to participate in in our communities. Recently, Project LEAD and Youth WORKS joined in the Parade and set up a table at Eats 'N' Beats @ The District with Big Hair Mafia in Rock Falls.

07/08/2025

Good afternoon everyone!
As we know, life can get stressful. Overwhelming. It can throw things at us that of course, we just aren't prepared for. You could also be dealing with a mental health disorder, substance use struggles, or maybe you just need somewhere to turn to outside of your immediate circle for counseling and you need help finding that someone. There are numbers and references for you to contact that will either go directly to the help you need, like 988 the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline or you have the website findtreatment.gov that can help you search for a treatment location more specifically to your location for substance use and mental health. It's always important to remember there is help out there. For every situation, it's one day at a time.

06/13/2025

Yesterday, we were very fortunate to have Kevin Polky join our Prevention Team to present his workshop on mental health and su***de of young adults. Kevin's experiences and the experiences of those around him really drove home the need for change and awareness. Everyone and anyone can shuffle from lightness into darkness and back again. Mental health isn't a one size fits all experience. If someone is suffering, we may not see the signs. But sometimes, the signs are there and if you see something, say something. Even the smallest things can turn something around for a person, we just need to try and understand. As Kevin says, "Choose to be a Light in the Darkness."

A massive thank you to Kevin for coming to speak for our community!!
Shout out to Dixon Elks 779 for letting us use your location & fabulous staff!
We're also very grateful for the organizations that joined us & the community members that came out to share in this event.
OH! And of course CONGRATS go out to the winners of our raffle prizes! Go big winners! 🎉

06/12/2025

Good afternoon!! Today is event day! Don't forget to come join our Prevention Team hear Kevin Polky !
Doors open at 5:30pm
1279 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon, the Dixon Elks 779
We look forward to seeing you there 😀

06/11/2025

Happy sunny afternoon folks! ☀️ I've got your afternoon reminder that TOMORROW is our big event with Kevin Polky! It's a can't miss event!

Location: Dixon Elks 779 1279 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon, IL

Time: Doors open @ 5:30 - starts at 6:00 and goes to 8:00

We have food, a raffle, exhibit, and vendors/organizations to learn about from our community! We can't wait to see you all!

06/11/2025

Top of the morning everyone! ☀
This is your reminder, folks! 📅
Tomorrow is THE DAY! Kevin Polky will be here to speak to our community on his insights into addiction, mental health, su***de prevention, and more. Please join our Prevention Team to experience this important event!
Our LSSI Prevention team will have an exhibit set up, there will be food, and of course that raffle❗
We can't wait to see you all there - registration link in the comments for those last minute attendees 😉

06/10/2025

Hello everyone!! We have ONE MORE DAY before Kevin Polky comes to speak to our community! We will learn about his experience with mental health and knowledge on su***de prevention. Our Prevention Team will be there with our exhibit as well, and available to answer questions about our program.
Doors open @ 5:30pm - Event is 6:00-8:00pm
Join us for food & a raffle!!
Location: ELKS LODGE - 1279 Franklin Grove Rd., Dixon, IL
Go ahead and register if you'd still like to attend, we'd love to have you!! Link in the comments!!

06/09/2025

Good Monday afternoon everyone!!
UPCOMING! This Thursday, we have our Kevin Polky speaking event at 6pm at the Dixon Elks! We have an extra window of opportunity for those who may still like to attend, registration is OPEN again! Don't miss this!
And remember those previously mentioned raffle prizes? Well, here they are!!
You've gotta be there to enter, so come join our awesome Prevention team! There will be other vendors/organizations to visit with, food, and we'll have an exhibit set up for you to check out!
**(Registration link in the comments)**