Raising Our Voices – Annual Advocacy & Awards Event, Thursday, September 24, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

On Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 11 a.m., United Voices for Children will host its Raising Our Voices 2026 event at Grace United Methodist Church, 3555 McFarland Rd., Rockford, IL. This year’s theme, Every Child.Every Voice.Every Future. – Advocating for Youth Mental Health and Anti-Bullying, will bring together advocates, community leaders, and child-serving organizations to strengthen support for children, youth, and families. Melissa Lee, M.A., LCPC, Rosecrance Youth Community Supervisor, will present on youth mental health and anti-bullying, sharing insights, resources, and strategies for creating healthier, safer communities for young people. Representatives from Children’s Advocates for Change will provide updates on youth mental health legislation and offer practical ways attendees can advocate for policies that improve the lives of children and youth. During the event, United Voices for Children will honor individuals and organizations whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on children, youth, and families through the presentation of the annual Child Advocate Awards. The program will also feature a welcome from Reverend Chanje “CJ” Woo, Lead Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Rockford, who will encourage attendees to work together to strengthen advocacy, promote belonging, and equip communities with practical tools that support every child.

Raising Our Voices – 2025 UVC Focus: Youth Mental Health, Thursday, September 18, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

On Thursday, September 18, at 10 am at Community United Methodist Church, 20 Center Street, Naperville, IL. Our 2025 Raising Our Voices event held a focus on Youth Mental Health and highlighted a special performance of Life Out Loud from Chicago’s award-winning About Face Theatre. We also presented the annual Child Advocate Awards, and heard Federal and State Legislation updates from Children’s Advocate for Change. Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann, Prairie Central District Superintendent presented the Child Advocate Awards.

Raising Our Voices – Bridging the Gap: Addressing Youth Mental Health, Thursday, September 19, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Dr. Dana Weiner (Chief Officer for Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation in the Office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker) moderated a panel of agency therapists as they discussed youth mental health. Rev. Dr. Audrea Nanabray, Lake South District Superintendent, presented the 2024 Child Advocate Awards. Children’s Advocates for Change reviewed advocacy techniques for legislative issues impacting children.

September 29, 2023 Raising our Voices: A Bridge for the Gap, Part 2

Our in-person event on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Kids Above All Better Life Distribution Center, 1801 E Oakton St. Des Plaines, IL, featured Guest Speaker Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. Doors opened at 9:30 am for light refreshments and networking.

Raising Our Voices Through Resources, A Bridge for the Gap Event

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, United Voices for Children invited three expert advocates to share essential resources addressing mental health and wellness and policies impacting youth. Learn about the inspiring stories of four individuals advocating for children and youth in Chicagoland. Find out more about these resources and the people behind them by clicking here.

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Thank you for raising your voice for Illinois children!