Nexus-Indian Oaks Family Healing

04/14/2026

Under the guidance of Life Skills teacher Ms. Kathy, our students are learning to sew! From simple stitches and button repairs to the construction of a colorful patchwork quilt, students are not only discovering their crafting capabilities, but they’re also finding their focus in the calming, creative experience.

Try your hand at (paper) quilting and foster some creative fun here: https://buff.ly/DGVis5f

04/09/2026

The Nexus Family Healing podcast “In This Family” offers inspiring mental health stories for parents, caregivers, and anyone with a parental figure in their life. Each week, marriage and family therapist Dr. Michelle K. Murray, our President and CEO, talks with well-known and private individuals to uncover stories of adversity and resilience. Hear Dr. Murray’s thought-provoking questions, listen to our guests’ touching responses, and find hope for your journey. Click this link to listen on your computer or smartphone: https://buff.ly/VaGp0HS

04/06/2026

Several of our youth had a great time getting creative during pottery painting at Top Notch Knots & Pots in Bourbonnais! Each youth painted their very own mug, choosing their favorite colors and designs to make it uniquely theirs. After painting, the mugs were glazed and fired so they’ll be ready to use and enjoy! We love seeing our youth express themselves, build confidence, and create something meaningful with pride! ☕🎨

04/01/2026

A group of our young women recently visited The Om Well Collective yoga studio in Kankakee for an inspiring introductory class designed especially for them. They enjoyed learning yoga terms and poses and even made time for a dance break! After the yoga class, they dropped by Essential Smoothies Café for a refreshing and healthy treat. Social outings such as this provide opportunities for our youth to positively connect with the community and participate in the local experiences offered in Kankakee County!

03/30/2026

Executive Director Melissa Webster and Clinical Director Robinique Johnson-Menifee recently represented our Manteno campus at the 70th Annual Conference of the Association Of Children's Residential Centers held in Chicago. Highlights of the event included interactive workshops, research in best practices, and shared knowledge from lessons learned, with a strong focus on peer support to positively impact youth and families in the residential healing experience. Our team looks forward to using this information to strengthen our staff and continue building a transformative environment for our youth!

03/27/2026

A group of youth discovered the joy of reading and are now challenging one another to continue their page-turning adventures! From fantasy adventures to mysteries, books are now part of their toolbox for self-regulation, helping them reduce stress, while also giving them opportunities to explore relationships, grief, and other mental health topics. As their appetite for reading continues to grow, the youth keep count on a tracking board to celebrate one title at a time! We’re so excited for our young readers as they expand their minds with every page!

03/20/2026

Frank, who grew up with multiple mental health challenges, credits a lot of his healing and growth to the safe, supportive adults around him, especially his mom. In this episode of the Nexus Family Healing podcast, “In This Family,” hear his tips for parents who are raising youth with similar struggles. Listen and subscribe today: https://nexusfamilyhealing.podbean.com/

03/11/2026

As parents, keeping our children safe is a top priority. When the unexpected happens, providing emotional support is essential for your family. Find tips to help your child cope in an emergency in our recent blog and prepare together with the downloadable Family Emergency Bag checklist.

Natural and man-made disasters in recent news can cause stress, especially for children. As a parent, it’s important to remember that your reactions to these disasters can impact the way your child views the world around them. Remain calm, give yourself time to process and create a plan that works...

03/09/2026

We celebrated our dedicated Nexus-Indian Oaks staff members during Employee Appreciation Week. Throughout the week, they came together to enjoy food and fun, with Chicago-style hot dogs hitting a home run with our Manteno team! We also honored the recipient of the annual Ambassador Award, Brooke Sanchez, as well as our nominees, all of whom embody our Nexus core values. Thank you to all our Nexus Indian-Oaks employees for demonstrating the care and commitment you bring to the workplace each day to support our youth!

03/05/2026

We're excited to recognize Brooke Sanchez with this year's Ambassador Award! In her role as Training Supervisor, Brooke embodies the core values of Nexus Family Healing: innovation, compassion, agility, responsiveness, and excellence. Always seeking to uplift those around her, represent our organization with pride, and cultivate a positive, supportive environment, she touches the hearts and minds of both our staff and youth. Thank you, Brooke, for your dedicated service! Congratulations!

03/03/2026

Our campus staff and youth gathered this week to share an Afrocentric meal, enjoy music, and connect as we wrapped up Black History Month with festive food and fellowship. The special potluck event, hosted for the third time by the Nexus-Indian Oaks Umoja Committee, has been gaining momentum each year in our celebration of Black culture, legacy, and history! We sincerely appreciate the committee's work to educate, inspire and build community!

02/27/2026

It was a fantastic day at the Chicago Auto Show! 🚗 Our youth enjoyed meaningful community exposure while building positive, supportive relationships with staff. Between checking out new cars and taking imaginary road trips—from navigating Colorado’s Rocky Mountains to crossing Florida’s awe‑inspiring 7‑mile bridge and taking in the beautiful sights of Yellowstone in Wyoming—we created moments of connection, trust, and engagement for memories to fuel hope for the future!