Youth Development

Each September is national Suicide Prevention Month. In 2023, 12.8 people seriously thought about suicide and 1.5 million people attempted it. Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023. That is one death every 11 seconds. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The...

The beginning of school means changes from the “free flowing” days of summer to regular daily routines. Here are some tips from West Virginia University Extension to help boost your children’s attitude, confidence and school performance.Re-establish school time biorhythms. Get back into regular...

Summers at home can often feel like a full-time job of having to find constant entertainment for the kiddos. The good news? You don’t need an elaborate vacation or expensive outings to create a summer that’s filled with memories. Thinking of new, fun, and engaging activities can be difficult, but...

The Illinois State Fair is just around the corner—happening from August 8–18—and while the National Weather Service is predicting a Heat Advisory, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying all the fun, food, and festivities the fair has to offer.Yes, it’ll be hot. But with a little planning and a few...

Summer is here and many families are packing up for a memorable family vacation.   Sometimes families arrive home from their trip exhausted and irritable. Planning relaxed family time together at home can be an alternative.  Slow down the pace and plan for a family night in...

Purpose is defined as a strong stable sense of commitment to something that is meaningful to you and makes a difference in the world around you. It can be found in all aspects of life and can change over time.Why is purpose important?Purpose increases well being. People with higher levels of...

One of the best ways to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life is to have good self-esteem. As youth are developing socially,        emotionally, and physically, it’s important to develop good self- esteem building habits early on. According to the...

What does resilience look like? It’s that process of how we deal with difficult situations or adversity. Life is full of difficulty, such as experiencing loss, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, just to name a few. On the other hand, life also can bring about an abundance of joy, determination,...

With many families in back-to-school busy mode, it can sometimes be difficult to enjoy having meals together. However, research shows that having meals together is beneficial for individuals as well as the whole family. Family members who eat together tend to eat healthier – they eat more fruits...

It’s hard to think about the 4th of July without visions of flags and fireworks appearing.  The holiday event is rich with traditions that help us celebrate our country’s heritage with pride and a sense of belonging.  Families also have a wealth of traditions that help us feel special and...