Forest Park Education Summit 2025

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2025

FORMING NEW CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY!

Overview

The D91 Family and Community Engagement ensemble is proud to host its 2nd annual education summit; Empowering All: Unlocking Student Potential Through Collaborative Learning. Attendees will be able to experience a keynote speaker, breakout sessions and hands on experiences that empower caregivers as they support their youth. 

Primary goals or purposes of the educational summit are to:

  1. Offer an opportunity for families to learn from experts in the field of education and child/youth development.

  2. Create opportunities for attendees to exchange ideas, experiences and build connections to better support their children.

  3. Connect families and caregivers to community resources and organizations that may benefit their families both educationally and social-emotionally.

  4. Attendees will leave equipped with strategies and resources to positively impact their families in their everyday lives.

Experience

(What You Can Expect)

This year's education summit offers a wide range of opportunities for families/caregivers and community members to participate in impactful workshop sessions to support-based networking groups. Through this experience, attendees will be engaged and become empowered to make new and lasting connections to assist in their families personal and educational journeys.

WORKSHOPS

Enhance your skills and knowledge through interactive and solution-driven learning opportunities. Choose from an array of workshop topics tailored to help you meet your personal and family educational goals.

RESOURCE FAIR

Chat directly with the local businesses and community partners about services offered to children and families in the areas ranging from academic support to summer recreational activities.

NETWORKING

Throughout the summit, you and fellow attendees will have time to connect with families of similar interest, community partners and surrounding school district administrators. Attendees will also have a chance to join D91 Affinity Groups that foster an environment for families to exchange ideas, share expertise and similar experiences.

Workshop

Workshop Schedule

Session # 1: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Title

Description

Presenter(s)

Audience

Language Matters

Language Matters aims to recognize the importance of word usage and its impact on identity. This program focuses on the stigma associated with language and labels regarding mental health conditions/symptoms. Stigmatizing language is used far more often than it should be and since stigma is the #1 barrier to seeking treatment this is a major problem. We can use language to empower each other, build community, and promote inclusivity and representation.

Claudia Hypes

NAMI Metro Suburban

Caregivers/Parents

9th - 12th and Higher Education Funding Opportunities

All education opportunities can be free. Come learn about financial and merit-based funding opportunities for high school and higher education.

Dr. Robert Hubbard

D91 Staff

Caregivers/Parents

Sharing Your Voice in Local Government Forums

Resident input in local government forums is important. Officials make better decisions when residents participate. The presenter is an elected representative of local residents. She will explain how local public forums work and how residents can express their views at these meetings. These meetings are governed by Illinois laws and rules, which the presenter will clearly explain.

Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin

Village of Forest Park

Caregivers/Parents

Play Therapy Techniques that can Improve Your Child's Mental Health

Amanda Tollberg, a local mom and mental health professional will provide an engaging a thought-provoking presentation including tangible play-therapy techniques you can use at home or in your classroom. These techniques include reflective listening, limit setting, and choice giving. Amanda has a passion for child and parent mental health and is trained in Child-Centered Play Therapy. She is excited to spread the word about this simple, yet powerful way of being in relationship with children.

Amanda Tollberg

Forest Park Resident/Parent

Caregivers/Parents

Stress Less: Resilience for Success!

Stress Less provides an overview of how
stress affects the body, prompts the audience
to check in with themselves on how stress
is impacting them, and teaches coping
skills including mindfulness practice and
resilience-building strategies.

Angelica Mojica

and Samantha Malone

NAMI Metro Suburban

Students (5th-8th Grade)

Session # 2: 11:15 AM - 12:15 AM

Title

Description

Presenter(s)

Audience

Understanding Teen Dating Violence

For today’s youth, navigating the world of dating and romantic relationships can sometimes feel complicated, but a strong relationship with a parent or guardian can be helpful in preventing future relationship violence. This workshop will cover what is unique about teen dating violence, red flags to look out for, and local resources.

Chidori Lively

Sarah's Inn

Caregivers/Parents

Improving School Climate Through Collective Well-Being

This dynamic presentation will shift the way you think about what it means to be well at school. Join us as we introduce a brand-new toolkit designed specifically for educators. These open-source resources can help leaders make intentional decisions about how systems within their schools should and can support their most important asset: the adults within the building.

Vienna Webb

Mindful Practices

Educators

Parents' Introduction to Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Middle School

In this workshop, sex ed facilitators share their experiences working with youth. We introduce common terms in gender identity and sexual orientation, and how those can show up in middle school. Parents will learn about common concerns and questions about sexuality that come up at this age and will get advice and suggestions for having conversations on these topics at home.

Nina Brewer-Davis, Cari Hipes

Oak Park Our Whole Lives

Caregi0vers/Parents

Mastering Time Management: Cook Up Success with Your Favorite Meal!

In this hands-on workshop, students will learn the essentials of time management by planning and preparing their favorite meal. Through fun, practical activities, they'll discover how to break down tasks, set priorities, and stick to a schedule—all while planning to cook up something delicious! Perfect for students looking to sharpen their organization skills in a creative and engaging way.

Be Able Learning Services

Students (5th-8th Grade)

8 Kidpower Safety Skills to Prevent and Stop Bullying

In this dynamic, positive, and practical workshop, Kidpower International Senior Trainer and Great Lakes/Chicago Center DirectorJoe Connelly will teach and lead strategies and skills that have protected thousands of young people from bullying both in-person and online. Participants will be coached in how to use these skills to recognize bullying behavior; take charge of making safe and wise choices even if they feel upset inside; protect themselves from hurting words and teasing; escape from an unsafe situation; advocate for themselves and others; and be very persistent in getting help.

Joe Connelly

Kidpower Great Lakes/Chicago Center - part of Kidpower International

Students (5th-8th Grade)

Resource Fair Cover Page

RESOURCE FAIR EXHIBITORS

Featured Exhibitors of the Week

Organization/Business Name

Website

Category

Be Able Learning Services

www.beablelearning.com

Youth Enrichment

By Discovery, LLC / Creative Arts Studio

https://www.bydiscovery.org/

Youth Enrichment

Collaboration for Early Childhood

https://collab4kids.org/

Specialized Family Services

Dynamic Lynks

www.dynamiclynks.com

Mental Health and Youth Enrichment

Forest Park Public Library

https://www.fppl.org/

Adult and Youth Enrichment

Forest Preserves of Cook County

http://fpdcc.com

Youth Enrichment

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org

Youth Enrichment

Howard Mohr Community Center

http://www.forestpark.net

Government or Municipality Entity

Illinois Action for Children

http://illinoisactionforchildren.org

Specialized Family Services

LAN 60

https://sites.google.com/view/proviso-lan-60/home

Specialized Family Services, Mental Health, Youth Services

Legacy Sports Camp

http://legacysportscamp.com

Youth Enrichment

Loyola Medicine

loyolamedicine.org

Healthcare Services

Oak Park Our Whole Lives

www.opowl.org

Specialized Family Services

Park District of Forest Park

http://pdofp.org

Youth Enrichment and Government or Municipality Entity

Proviso THSD 209`

https://www.pths209.org/

Specialized Family Services, Youth Enrichment, Mental Health, Healthcare Services, and Education Entity

The Arc of IL

https://thearcofil.org

Other

The Firehouse Dream

https://www.thefirehousedream.org/

Mental Health

The HAP Foundation

https://thehapfoundation.org/

Specialized Family Services

The Loft at 8 Corners

loft8corners.org

Mental Health

Tutortastic NFP

www.tutortastic.org

Specialized Family Services

West40

https://www.west40communityresources.org

Specialized Family Services

WSSRA

http://wssra.net

Youth Services

Youth Crossroads

youthcrossroads.org

Specialized Family Services, Youth Enrichment and Mental Health

FAQ's