Nexus-Onarga Family Healing

Home
United States
Onarga, IL
Nexus-Onarga Family Healing

We provide residential treatment in Onarga, IL. We are dedicated to our mission of changing the course of a child's life by stabilizing families.

Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is part of Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit mental health organization with over 50 years of restoring hope for thousands of children, families, and adults each year through community mental health therapy, crisis and stabilization, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. We use innovative, personalized approaches to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and reshape futures. We believe every child is worth it — and every family matters. Learn more at NexusFamilyHealing.org.

02/18/2026

February is American Heart Month--and a great time to learn CPR! Our employees are the heart of everything we do ❤️. That's why all new team members participate in American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED training during their orientation. Our comprehensive training program is designed to give our staff the tools to help change lives--and save lives! We help children, individuals, families — and employees — find paths to brighter futures. See why Nexus may be a good fit for you at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/careers
(PC: Mike Cotter, Training Supervisor)

02/14/2026

Our Nexus-Onarga junior varsity basketball team faced off recently with Circle Academy Vermillion to grow and challenge both their athletic abilities and character skills. For competitors in the Illinois Inter-Agency Athletic Association, sportsmanship is prized over winning, and all of the youth on the court demonstrated this with every shot that was--or wasn't --made. Congratulations to both teams for a great day of hustle and hoops! Also--Big shout-out 📣 to our coaches, fans, and referees from both schools for all their support!

02/11/2026

When we're in our day-to-day routines, it's not always easy to see the signs of anxiety or depression in our kids. But noticing changes in their regular behavior, like sleeping and eating habits, can help us identify when our children might be struggling so we can start to understand and provide support. Learn more about how to recognize the signs and start the healing together at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/recognizing-depression-and-anxiety-kids
(pictured is original work of a Grand Prairie School art student)

02/07/2026

We are happy to announce that Stephanie Friant is our February Employee Spotlight! Making a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth and staff is a top priority for Stephanie! In her role as a milieu lead, her dedication is evident in the way she shows up every day—fully present, supportive, and motivated to help our youth succeed. She builds strong, positive relationships with youth by listening, encouraging, and guiding them through challenges with patience and empathy. Her presence alone often brings comfort and stability because she understands the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment. Stephanie is equally committed to showing up for her team with professionalism and a deep level of care. She supports staff with reliability and effective communication, and her strong work ethic continues to inspire those around her. “She embodies what it means to be youth‑focused, team‑oriented, and mission‑driven.”
Congratulations, Stephanie! ~ Your consistent and positive presence gives hope to our youth and strengthens our work culture so that we see how compassion changes lives!

02/03/2026

Peter Sagal, NPR radio show host of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, talks frankly about his mental health experience with Dr. Michelle K. Murray in this newest episode of "In This Family." Listen and subscribe: https://buff.ly/ZXsRwhw

01/31/2026

It's been a COLD January in Onarga, so staff welcomed the opportunity this week to enjoy a sandwich, warm soup, and a full HOT cocoa bar! Our winter warm-up event came just in time--another round of snow is on its way! Thank you to everyone who helped warm our workplace spirits! ❄❄❄Finding moments to relax and build positive relationships with our team members isn't just for cold weather--it's what we do year-round to support a culture that cares! See why Nexus-Onarga may be a good fit for you. Learn more at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/careers.

01/27/2026

The weekend weather made for a beautiful Monday morning on the Onarga campus! Our Grand Prairie School team was ready to go today, thanks to our facilities team who have been working diligently to clear parking lots, sidewalks, and steps for staff and youth safety. **A BIG SHOUT-OUT to all our staff who braved the weekend weather to be here for our youth!** Feelings about the snowfall are mixed, but the blue skies can't be beat! Read on for ways to connect with the cold at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/defense-winter-and-custom-hygge.

01/24/2026

With bitter cold temps outside, it was a perfect day for sweet treats and indoor arts & crafts! Hot cocoa and cookies set the mood for the Grand Prairie School youth who were trying their hand at punch needle embroidery. Evolved from rug hooking, this fiber craft punches, rather than stitches, a needle (threaded with yarn) into fabric to create a design. The students picked up the technique quickly and were excited to show off their progress! Creative hobbies like this can benefit our mental health! Discover more at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/documents/finding-inspiration-textiles

01/21/2026

Winter is much more bearable when there's basketball! 🏀🏀🏀Whether our youth are playing in the current Illinois Inter-Agency Association season or shooting hoops during recreation time, they find satisfaction in hearing the swoosh of "nothing but net"! Basketball and other exercise during the winter season have benefits that reach beyond improving one's three-point shot. Find out more at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/home-tips-seasonal-depression.

01/16/2026

In managing feelings of fear and anxiety, we may find opportunities to strengthen our mental health. In the podcast below, Dr. Michelle K. Murray shares how we can support ourselves and our families during stressful times.

01/14/2026

With a blizzard of brush marks, this colorful winter scene was captured on paper. Like the inspired artwork of this Grand Prairie School student, our own expressions of winter can vary as much as midwestern weather. Embracing our natural tendencies can be a comforting practice, especially during the gray days of January. Discover more at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/defense-winter-and-custom-hygge

01/10/2026

We are happy to announce that Bonnie Slabik is our January Employee Spotlight! Creating an environment that supports a culture of healing is important, and Bonnie is committed to making this happen in her role as a youth care professional! Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, or a regular weekday, she brings magic to these moments with her special talents! Always prepared with a stock of art supplies and treats, Bonnie knows her way around the kitchen and the craft table, providing youth with positive interactions and plenty of food! She finds little ways to bring joy to the youth and make their surroundings homelike and hopeful!
Bonnie’s extra effort and eagerness to assist across campus are appreciated by her coworkers, and they see how her kindness makes a difference to the youth. “Bonnie truly does put so much time and love into her job, and she is amazing at it!”

Address

110 N Locust Street
Onarga, IL
60955

Website

https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/nexus-onarga-family-healing/residential-treatment-programs

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nexus-Onarga Family Healing posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Nexus-Onarga Family Healing:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Onarga?

Our Story

Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 90 miles south of Chicago, in the quiet community of Onarga, IL, on the site of a former military academy. Our campus features specialized programs and private bedrooms that provide safety and comfort for boys, ages 10-20. In this structured, homelike environment youth can safely address sexually problematic behaviors, emotional and behavioral issues, and underlying chemical abuse issues.

In addition to residential, educational, vocational, and foster care services for youth, Nexus-Onarga also operates the Nexus-Onarga Professional Development Institute, which trains individuals and groups that work with youth.

Learn more at www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/nexus-onarga-family-healing/residential-treatment-programs.