Alive & Free

01/26/2026

🚨 REMINDER: YouthBuild Open House is TOMORROW! 🚨

Join us tomorrow, January 27th, from 5:00–7:00 PM for the YouthBuild Open House, hosted by our Youth Policy Council (YPC)!

📍 917 S. Main St., Rockford, IL 61101

Come learn more about how YouthBuild is creating pathways for young people through education, workforce development, leadership, and community impact. This is a great opportunity to meet our youth, staff, and partners, ask questions, and see the work happening firsthand.

✨ Learn about our program
✨ Meet the Youth Policy Council
✨ Support our future & help fund opportunities for youth

We hope to see you there—bring a friend, family member, or community supporter!

📣 YOU’RE INVITED! 📣

Join us for our YouthBuild Open House hosted by our Youth Policy Council (YPC) on January 27th from 5:00–7:00 PM at 917 S. Main St., Rockford!

Come learn more about the amazing work YouthBuild is doing to empower young people through education, leadership, and career pathways — and meet the incredible youth behind it all.

✨ Bonus: We’re also raising funds for our YouthBuild class trip! Our goal is $2,500, and every contribution helps bring this opportunity to life for our youth. Donations are greatly appreciated but never required — your support and presence mean just as much.

🍽️ PS: I heard there will be FOOD… so you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Bring a friend, spread the word, and come show love to our youth and their future. 💙🧡

01/16/2026

📣 YOU’RE INVITED! 📣

Join us for our YouthBuild Open House hosted by our Youth Policy Council (YPC) on January 27th from 5:00–7:00 PM at 917 S. Main St., Rockford!

Come learn more about the amazing work YouthBuild is doing to empower young people through education, leadership, and career pathways — and meet the incredible youth behind it all.

✨ Bonus: We’re also raising funds for our YouthBuild class trip! Our goal is $2,500, and every contribution helps bring this opportunity to life for our youth. Donations are greatly appreciated but never required — your support and presence mean just as much.

🍽️ PS: I heard there will be FOOD… so you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Bring a friend, spread the word, and come show love to our youth and their future. 💙🧡

01/08/2026

We’re officially almost through our first full week of the New Year—and this is your reminder to keep going.

New beginnings don’t require perfection. They require intention, consistency, and grace. Whether your year started strong or feels a bit overwhelming, know this: progress is still progress, even when it’s quiet.

As we move forward, let’s commit to caring for our mental health in healthy, sustainable ways—not just when things get hard, but as a daily practice.

Here are a few simple ways to protect your mental well-being this week and beyond:

Check in with yourself daily. Ask, “How am I really feeling today?” and honor the answer.

Set realistic expectations. You don’t have to do everything at once. One step at a time is enough.

Rest without guilt. Rest is productive when it helps you reset and refocus.

Stay connected. Talk to someone you trust. You were never meant to carry everything alone.

Limit what drains you. This includes negative self-talk, unhealthy boundaries, and overstimulation.

Celebrate small wins. Showing up is a win. Trying again is a win.

This year is not about rushing—it’s about healing, growing, and becoming. Give yourself permission to move forward at your own pace.

Alive & Free believes in you. Keep going. You’re doing better than you think.

Send a message to learn more

12/19/2025

💙 Holiday Check-In for Our Youth 💙

As we head into the holidays and winter break, this is a reminder to take care of you — not just physically, but socially, emotionally, and mentally too.

This time of year can bring joy, but it can also bring stress, pressure, or mixed emotions. All of it is valid. Make space to rest, unplug when needed, talk to someone you trust, and do the things that help you feel grounded and safe.

Winter break is a time to reset, reflect, and recharge as we move into a new year. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace. You don’t have to have everything figured out — just keep showing up for yourself one day at a time.

From all of us at Alive & Free, we hope you enjoy your break, protect your peace, and step into the New Year feeling supported, valued, and hopeful. ✨

Send a message to learn more

12/19/2025

YOU ARE WORTH IT....KEEP GOING

Send a message to learn more

10/23/2025

“It’s more than just a job. I want to empower people, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Jessica Wilson, a community engagement liaison. “We’re trying to provide them with the knowledge to empower them to be able to rise in an effective way in their community.”

https://www.mystateline.com/news/rockford-community-takes-stand-against-violence-with-training-sessions/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNnTrhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpww7WiOOKEuwtlLJMLNs9s0nT1BATkYYaEU4cNbOwF6NndbaAHS24BufK_9_aem_hjGjZaUJlrBCOS6t5mNr9Q

The City of Rockford is collaborating with local organizations to help prevent violence in the community by hosting training sessions.

10/21/2025

We are super excited to be a part of spook the blocks 2025 in Downtown Rockford. Come stop by and see us for candy bars and gift cards at 328 E. State Street. Must be wearing a costume to redeem.

This event will take place Saturday October 25th from 12-4 pm. We hope to see everybody come out and have some fun during this trick-or-treating event.

10/14/2025

🚨✨ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! ✨🚨

We’re keeping the momentum going! 💪 Join us for our next Youth CREW Meeting — a space for young voices to connect, share ideas, and help build a safer, stronger community together. 🙌🔥

📅 When: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Where: CCS – 917 S. Main St., Rockford, IL 61101
(Enter through the back parking lot – look for “Graduates” on the door)

💥 FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED! 💥

Come ready to make an impact and be part of something BIG. This is just the beginning! 💙

10/10/2025

🧠💚 World Mental Health Day – October 10th 💚🧠

Today we pause to recognize World Mental Health Day, a time to raise awareness and remind ourselves that taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies.

Since 1992, this day has been dedicated to breaking the stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health. Remember:

✨ You are not alone in your feelings.
🌊 Feelings ebb and flow.
🌱 Things can get better.
🤝 Ask for help when you need it.
💼 Your work is not your worth.
☀️ Take a day away from the busy world.
🚧 Set boundaries.
💖 Be kind to yourself.

Let’s continue to create a world where it’s okay to talk about mental health, seek help, and practice self-care. 💬💚

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2025

THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION COORDINATION COUNCIL PRESENTS:

✨💪 Empowerment Through Advocacy! 💪✨
Join us for a powerful Community Training Series designed to help YOU know your rights and access free legal support. 🗣️

📅 Thursday, September 25, 2025
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM
📍 Collier Gardens, 2901 Searles Ave. (2nd Floor Community Room), Rockford, IL 61101
💻 Or join us online!

🌟 Topics include:
✔️ Support for survivors of domestic violence
✔️ Legal assistance for older adults
✔️ Renters’ rights
✔️ Sealing & expungement

09/08/2025

Today’s YouthBuild presentations were a great success! We’re excited to share a few highlights and moments we captured throughout the day!

09/08/2025