IOLS Run/Walk for Healing
IOLS’ first 5K/1-Mile Walk was truly a success. Despite the chilly winds, we had over 100 people in attendance and over 50 children participated in the 50 yard dash and egg hunt. Here are the final race results.
- Overall Female Winner- Amanda Rapaduski of Algonquin, IL.
- Overall Male Winner- Michael Schuster of Huntley, IL
IOLS Academy for Arts & Healing
This 28,000+ square-foot Residential Facility will provide a home to 36 children in the Illinois Foster-care system & will also have a Music Room, Media Arts Lab, Performing Arts Space, Painting Studio, Mixed Media Studio, Ceramics Studio, and the “We Suffer No More” Gallery.
Monthly expressive programs will be held on a monthly basis for caretakers, foster care parents as well as abused children and youth. This will allow participants to express, communicate and heal the soul through art and music mediums. Classes provided are called “Creative Expression Sessions” in art, music, ceramics, photography, media arts, literature, dance and “Greening for Tomorrow”.
- Click here to see the rendering of the IOLS Academy of Arts & Healing – service donated by Direct Design LTD in Prairie Grove
Educational & Mentoring Programs
This Feels Wrong: (Spring 2011): This is a 45 min. play where elementary school children learn about the uh-oh feeling. The program will provide abused children with the knowledge and skills they need to help protect themselves from undesirable situations and harm.
God, Can You Hear Me?: (Spring 2011): The God, Can You Hear Me? is the only faith based program and the focus is to help restore a child’s faith in God & humanity. Run and managed by a chaplain, this program will be a year round program. (similar to a week-long VBS program)
Learn to Trust Again: (Summer 2011) Volunteer mentors will provide the emotional support to the abused children and teens by listening to their stories, sharing their own experiences, and cultivating a healthy environment for them to start the building blocks of trust.
Give Me Back the Power to Choose Abstinence Program: (Summer 2012) The program will provide abused children with the tools to cope with the past, and move forward by empowering them to make desirable choices. (For sexually abused children only)
- “We Suffer No More” Gallery: 2012 will be located in the IOLS Academy of Arts & Healing, is dedicated to exhibiting and selling original IOLS work and merchandise. IOLS works of art that will be displayed in our gallery will be created by the children who participate in our programs and those who volunteer at IOLS.
- Youth Internships and Job Opportunities: (Spring 2013): IOLS will partner with mission-based businesses will provide internships, job training and employment to teens, particularly those who are homeless and/or have chosen to leave the state system.
- It’s Our Little Secret College Scholarships (Spring 2013): IOLS will provide scholarships to help kids pursue an education at a 4 year college with a focus in the following areas, social work, fine arts and business.
Clinical Programs
Teen Support Group: This structured group for teens (13-18) who have suffered sexual and physical abuse will meet weekly starting October 15th, from 6-7:00p.m. Patients work on impact of abuse, difficulty developing trust of self, developing self esteem, abuse in the family, developing trust in others, identifying triggers, effective coping skills and the healing process. The focus of the group is safety and containment today, and working toward a healthier tomorrow. A brief intake is required. This is a free service of the IOLS.
*Clinician: Kelly Hilton, MA, NCC
Art/Music Therapy: (Spring 2011) “Creative Sessions” are 8-week therapeutic art, music and play therapy sessions for abused children. Creative Sessions are 45 minutes long and provided by trained professionals. This is a fee based service of the IOLS. For more information contact Maebelle Obispo at mobispo@itsourlittlesecret.org
Pyscho-educational/Support Group for Adult Survivors: (Spring 2011) This 10-week psycho-educational / support group which focuses on current struggles which are a result of childhood sexual abuse. Patients work on issues such as trust, relationships, intimacy, self-esteem, boundaries, sexuality, and dealing with conflict. The focus of the group is safety and containment today, and working toward a healthier tomorrow. A brief intake is required. This is a free service of the IOLS. *Clinician: TBD
Community Outreach Programs
You Can Be a Hero Too: IOLS works to provide each child going into the foster care system with a Journey Pack that includes a Suitcase (Size Approp.), Name tag that can be personalized, Blanket, Hygiene Kit, Pair of Pajamas, Mingo, the Lion Stuffed Animal and a “You Can Be a Hero Too” book to help them overcome their fears of leaving their home environment. This is a free service of the IOLS. For more information or to donate blankets, pajamas etc. , email ksams@itsourlittlesecret.org
- We’ve received some images of our illustrated book. It is a work in progress, but what progress! Click here to see a sneak peak!
Back to School Backpack Drive: IOLS provides backpacks to Foster care children in August. This is a free service of the IOLS. For more information see our Backpack Drive Page, our Events Page or to donate, email ksams@itsourlittlesecret.org
IOLS Toy Drive for Children in foster care: IOLS provides toys to foster care children in December. This is a free service of the IOLS. For more information see our Toy Drive page, our Events page or to donate, email ksams@itsourlittlesecret.org
Blue Ribbon Awareness Campaign: April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and IOLS has provided a community awareness kit to help educate, inform and raise awareness about recognizing the signs and preventing abuse. To get your kit and to learn more about this program, visit our Blue Ribbon Page.