United Voices for Children

Raising Our Voices 2026

Every Child. Every Voice. Every Future.

Advocating for Youth Mental Health & Anti-Bullying

Annual Advocacy & Awards Event

Raising Our Voices 2026

Thank you to everyone who joined United Voices for Children for Raising Our Voices 2026. Together, we lifted our voices for children and youth and focused on the importance of mental health, advocacy, and creating communities where every young person can feel supported and valued.

Held on September 24, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church in Rockford, this year’s event brought together advocates, church leaders, child-serving organizations, and community members for an important conversation about youth mental health and anti-bullying.

We are grateful to everyone who continues to speak up and act on behalf of children, youth, and families. The conversation does not end with the event. We invite you to watch a short event recap video from the event, explore the presentations, and continue advocating for young people in your community.

Event Details

Date: September 24, 2026

Location: Grace United Methodist Church, Rockford, Illinois

Focus: Youth Mental Health & Anti-Bullying

Watch Raising Our Voices 2026

If you couldn’t join us in Rockford—or would like to revisit the conversation—you can watch the short Raising Our Voices 2026 event recap video below.

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Featured Speaker
Melissa Lee, M.A., LCPC

Rosecrance Youth Community Supervisor

Melissa Lee shared insight and resources focused on youth mental health and the challenges young people face today. Her presentation helped us consider how families, churches, schools, and communities can continue to support young people and create environments where they can thrive.

Event Presentations & Resources

Continue the conversation from Raising Our Voices 2026 by exploring the presentations and resources shared during the event.

Youth Mental Health

View the presentation by Children’s Advocates for Change shared during the event.

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Advocacy & Anti-Bullying

Explore the second presentation and resources shared by
Melissa Lee, Youth Community Supervisor.

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Keep Raising Your Voice

Advocacy begins with paying attention, learning more, and speaking up. Whether you are part of a congregation, a child-serving organization, a school, or your local community, every person has a role to play in supporting children and youth.

Stay connected with United Voices for Children and continue to raise your voice for children, youth, and families.

Every Child. Every Voice. Every Future.

Thank you for helping United Voices for Children speak and act on behalf of children, youth, and families.

Support UVC

Addressing Youth Mental Health Matters

Join United Voices for Children for a virtual conversation on youth mental health advocacy. Learn how to talk with children and youth and gain expert guidance from Children’s Advocates for Change, Rosecrance, and NAMI.

📬 Join Newsletter 🎥 Watch 2026 Virtual Event 💛 Give Today

Supporting Youth Mental Health & Advocacy

During our March 30 event, United Voices for Children focuses on youth mental health advocacy—teaching how to talk with children and youth and how to be better advocates in your communities. We understand the challenges children and youth face today. This event equips participants with practical knowledge, tools, and resources to make a real difference.

Learn how data and policy shape child well-being—and how to advocate effectively.

Visit Website
View 2025 Data Book
📎 View Slides

Comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment supporting youth and families.

Visit Website
📎 View Slides

The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization providing education, advocacy, and support.

Visit Website
📎 View Slides

Program Details

UVC emphasizes that every person is an advocate—“My children. Your children. Our children.” Participants will:

Learn facts from the Data Book about issues affecting children and youth, and hear testimonies.
Meet Tina Samuel, Chief of Staff for Rep Kevin Olickal, for instructions on effective advocacy.
Hear from Nichole Davidson, Rosecrance therapist, for ways to talk with children about mental health.
Receive information and resources for greater advocacy.

This training welcomes community workers, agency professionals, mental health professionals, NIC United Women in Faith, United Methodist Church laity and clergy, youth leaders, school administrators, teachers, and all who care about child well-being.

Additional Resources

🔗 Beacon Illinois — Mental health and substance use resources for children, youth, and families.

📄 Bridging the Broadband Health Gap Report — Report by Partnership for a Connected Illinois. The Benton Institute and the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation issued this report outlining how Internet access is a “Super” Social Determinant of Health.

💚 Kids Above All – Counseling Solutions — Expanding counseling services for Medicaid, sliding scale, and private pay. This resource provides additional therapy support and can be highlighted in the chat during the event.
📄 Download Counseling Solutions PDF

Be Part of the Movement for Youth Mental Health

Together, we can better understand, support, and advocate for children and youth in our communities. Stay connected and take action today.

📬 Join Newsletter 🎥 Watch Event Presentation 💛 Support This Work

Preparing For a Meeting With an Elected Official

Follow the steps below when preparing for a meeting with an elected official

Legislative Factsheet

Use the following diagram to create a legislative factsheet

Beacon

BEACON gives you information about behavioral health services focused on your child’s needs. Learn which community-based resources are available near you and state-funded programs your child may be eligible for. Listed services include community mental health centers and other programs. To find individual mental health therapists and counselors, please contact your insurance provider or managed care organization to find providers in your insurance network.

https://beacon.illinois.gov/

Mental Health

Illinois legislation passed in 2024, calls for creating a mechanism for determining the capacity and readiness of schools to implement universal mental health screening. A 2022 survey of Illinois children ages 3-17 years old documents the strong need for assistance overall with parents and guardians indicating 21% of the children had a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problem. View Fact Sheet SB726 and download below.

Fact-Sheet-SB726-Mental-Health-Call-to-Action Download