Too often, adults underestimate what teens are capable of.

We talk about young people as “the future,” while overlooking the incredible leadership, creativity, compassion, and innovation they are already bringing into the world right now. At Alive, we believe teens are not waiting to become leaders someday, they are leaders today.

That belief is at the core of everything we do.

Alive’s Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model was built on a simple but powerful idea: when teens are trusted, supported, and given meaningful opportunities to lead, they rise to the occasion in extraordinary ways.

And they do.

Every day, Alive teens step into leadership roles that challenge them to think critically, collaborate, solve problems, support their peers, and create experiences that directly impact their communities. From leading Teen Advisory Boards and planning programs to mentoring younger teens, organizing service projects, and speaking at community events, Alive teens are actively shaping the culture around them.

What makes this leadership model so impactful is that it is authentic. Teens are not simply following directions created by adults. They are helping design programs, identify community needs, and bring their own ideas to life with guidance and support from mentors who believe in them.

This process builds far more than leadership skills.

It builds confidence.
It builds resilience.
It builds communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
It teaches teens that their ideas have value and that their voices deserve to be heard.

For many young people, this may be the first time they have ever felt truly empowered.

At Alive, we have seen shy teens become confident speakers. We have watched young people who once struggled to connect with peers become mentors and role models. We have seen teens discover passions for service, advocacy, technology, art, leadership, and community-building simply because someone gave them the opportunity to try.

And perhaps most importantly, we have seen teens begin to believe in themselves.

This generation of young people has so much to offer the world. They are thoughtful, creative, socially aware, compassionate, and deeply motivated to make a difference. They do not need adults to have all the answers for them. They need adults who will listen to them, invest in them, and create spaces where they can safely grow into their potential.

That is what Alive strives to be.

When teens take the lead, incredible things happen. Programs become more relevant. Communities become more connected. Young people feel ownership over the spaces they help create. And leadership becomes something they experience firsthand rather than simply something they hear about in theory.

At Alive, we are proud to create opportunities where teens are not just participants, but decision-makers, creators, innovators, and leaders.

Because when young people are empowered to lead, they don’t just change their own lives.

They change communities.

They inspire others.

And they remind all of us what is possible when we believe in the next generation.

Funding for the Teen Tech Tutors Program was provided by AT&T. 

#TheAliveWay #MarchingForward #TeensTaketheLead #EveryTeenDeservesAlive

Video by Sidekick Media 

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We are so excited to celebrate with you at our Mardi Gras Gala: Marching Forward—Teens Take the Lead this Friday! Below are all the details you’ll need for a smooth and memorable evening.

 Event Details

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Location: Chicago Marriott Naperville; Grand Ballroom – 1801 N Naper Boulevard, Naperville, IL

 Check-In / Registration

To make your arrival as seamless as possible, we encourage you to pre-register in advance:
 PRE-REGISTER NOW

Pre-registration allows you to skip the line and head straight into the celebration. You’ll also be ready to participate in games, auctions, and our paddle raise right away!

 Please be prepared to check in upon arrival. Our check-in lines will be organized alphabetically by last name, and a staff member will assist you in completing your account using your ID and credit card.

 Your credit card is required to participate in silent auction bidding, games, and the paddle raise. We appreciate your help in making this process smooth so you can enjoy the evening!

 What to Expect

This is not your typical gala, our teens are taking the lead! You’ll enjoy:

• Teen-led activities and interactive tables
• Silent & live auctions with exciting packages
• Heads or Tails game
• Inspiring teen stories and speakers
• A lively paddle raise to support Alive teens
• Music, celebration, and a high-energy after-party

 Attire

Cocktail attire with a festive Mardi Gras flair encouraged! Feel free to bring your beads, masks, and bold colors.

 Parking

Complimentary parking is available at the hotel. Please park in the lot and enter through the main side door which leads directly to the Grand Ballroom.

 Our Mission

Every moment of the evening supports Alive Teen Centers, providing free, safe, and empowering spaces for teens to belong, grow, and lead.

We can’t wait to welcome you for an unforgettable night where our teens truly take the lead.

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We’re excited to share that Alive Teen Center is moving to a new system called Dash, a centralized platform we’ll be using for check-ins, registration, waivers, program updates, and communication, all in one place.

After months of behind-the-scenes planning and staff testing, we’re ready to roll Dash out community-wide. This transition is an important step as Alive continues to grow, and it reflects our commitment to creating a smoother, more connected experience for teens, families, and caregivers.

Dash will make daily check-ins faster and easier at the center, improve communication around programs and schedules, and ensure we always have the most accurate contact and emergency information on file, helping us keep teens safe, supported, and connected.

What we need from you

To help make this transition as smooth as possible, we’re asking all families to complete a quick, one-time re-registration in our new system. The process only takes a few minutes and will ensure everything runs seamlessly moving forward.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we take this next step together. We truly appreciate your help in keeping Alive a safe, welcoming, and well-connected space for teens.

Click here to register for DASH NAPERVILLE 

Click here to register for DASH AURORA

Click here to register for DASH HANOVER PARK

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As part of Teen Tech Tutors, Alive Naperville Teen Advisory Board members provide tutoring services to older adults in multiple senior living communities throughout our area

This unique program is supported by a grant through AT&T to fund the Teen Tech Tutors program, an intergenerational initiative where trained teen leaders provide one-on-one technology assistance to older adults throughout the community.

Powered by Alive’s signature Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model, Teen Tech Tutors does more than teach technology. The program strengthens digital literacy and access for seniors while cultivating leadership, confidence, and purpose in teens, bridging generational divides through meaningful, human connection.

“Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, our teens will be able to reach even more seniors who are struggling to keep up in today’s digital world,” said Kandice Henning, Founder and CEO of the Alive Center. “This grant allows us to empower teens to take on meaningful leadership roles while providing a vital service that promotes connection, independence, and inclusion for older adults.”

About Teen Tech Tutors

Teen Tech Tutors empowers teens ages 15–18 to assist seniors with essential technology skills, including using smartphones and tablets, video calling, email, telehealth apps, and online safety best practices. Offered at no cost to participants, the program has already helped many older adults feel more confident, capable, and connected in an increasingly digital world.

With support from AT&T, the Alive Center will:

• Expand programming across its Naperville, Aurora, and Hanover Park locations

• Train additional teen leaders in digital literacy, customer service, and mentorship

• Increase access for underserved seniors in surrounding communities

• Enhance tutoring experiences by utilizing technology and learning tools through AT&T’s Connected Learning resources

Impact Beyond Technology

Teen Tech Tutors directly addresses social isolation, one of the greatest health risks facing older adults today while offering teens real-world leadership experience, professional skill-building, and a strong sense of purpose. In 2024, more than 78% of Alive teens reported increased confidence, and 71% reported improved leadership skills through programs like Teen Tech Tutors.

Through Teen Tech Tutors, Alive teens are not only closing the digital divide, they’re building relationships, strengthening communities, and proving that when teens are trusted to lead, everyone benefits.

During a recent Teen Tech Tutoring session to a local senior living center, teens spent the afternoon helping residents with everyday tech, showing them how to send text messages, navigate apps, and stay connected with family and friends.

What started as a simple tech lesson quickly became something much more meaningful. Through patience, kindness, and genuine connection, our teens are building bridges across generations and making a real difference in the lives of seniors in our community.

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We’re thrilled to kick off the new year with an exciting announcement for the Aurora community: Alive Aurora is now open five days a week! Starting January 2025, Alive Aurora will welcome teens Monday through Friday, from 3:00–7:00 pm, giving students more opportunities than ever to connect, unwind, and thrive in a safe, teen-led space after school.

But that’s not all.

Thanks to the generous support of Dunham Foundation, we’re excited to now offer direct after-school transportation from:

• Washington Middle School

• Jefferson Middle School

This new transportation option removes a major barrier for families and makes it even easier for teens to access Alive’s free, supportive programming right after the school day ends. At Alive Aurora, teens find more than just a place to hang out—they find belonging, leadership opportunities, academic support, and positive relationships with peers and trusted adults. Expanding our hours and adding transportation means more teens can participate, more consistently, in a space designed just for them.

Transportation spots are limited and expected to fill quickly.

If you have a student attending Washington Middle School or Jefferson Middle School, we encourage you to complete our interest form as soon as possible. Our team will follow up with next steps.

👉 Interest Form:
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfmX…/viewform…

We can’t wait to welcome more Aurora teens into our space and continue building a community where every young person feels seen, supported, and inspired to come alive. 

Alive Teen Center – Aurora 406 W Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL 60506

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Alive Teen Center Announces 2026 Mardi Gras Fundraiser Leadership: Jen Mendoza Named Chair and Felipe Rocha Named Co-Chair for Mardi Gras – Teens Take the Lead

Naperville/Aurora/Hanover Park, IL — January 1, 2026 — Alive Teen Center, an evidence-based, award-winning nonprofit dedicated to strengthening teen mental health through connection, leadership, and belonging, is proud to announce Jen Mendoza as Chair of its signature fundraiser, Mardi Gras Marching Forward – Teens Take the Lead, with Felipe Rocha serving as Co-Chair.

Alive’s Mardi Gras fundraiser celebrates the organization’s trademarked Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model, an approach that empowers teens to shape programs, lead with confidence, and build purpose in a safe, supportive community. Proceeds from the event directly support Alive Teen Center’s free programs and drop-in services for teens ages 11–18 across its teen centers in Naperville, Aurora, and Hanover Park.

“Jen and Felipe bring the kind of leadership and community spirit that perfectly matches the heart of this event,” said Amanda McMillen, Alive Teen Center Executive Director. “Their partnership will help expand awareness and support for the teens who rely on Alive as a place to belong, grow, and thrive.”

As Chair, Jen Mendoza will lead event strategy, sponsorship engagement, and community outreach, working closely with the planning committee to ensure the fundraiser reflects Alive’s mission and the energy of teen leadership. As Co-Chair, Felipe Rocha will support sponsor and community partner engagement, helping to broaden event reach and deepen impact across the region.

“Serving as Mardi Gras Chair alongside Felipe Rocha as Co-Chair is both an honor and a full-circle moment for me. I have supported Alive Teen Center since the opening of its Aurora location and have witnessed the powerful role it plays in creating safe, inclusive spaces for teens. As a mother of three whose children receive support and resources through Alive, I feel privileged to now sit on the Executive Board and contribute to advancing a mission that strengthens youth and families throughout our community,” said Jen Mendoza. 

Alive Teen Center provides preventative mental health support through free, teen-led programming, creating space for connection before challenges escalate into crisis. Through drop-in hours, leadership development, tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities, Alive helps teens feel seen, supported, and valued.

Mardi Gras Marching Forward – Teens Take the Lead will be held on April 24, 2026 at Naperville Marriot from 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Sponsorship opportunities are available and tickets will go on sale February 16. Community members and businesses interested in supporting Mardi Gras  Marching Forward- Teens Take the Lead can contact Alive Teen Center at maggie@alivecenter.org or visit alivecenter.org

About Alive Teen Center

Alive Teen Center is an evidence-based, award-winning nonprofit dedicated to strengthening teen mental health through connection, leadership, and belonging. Rooted in its trademarked Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model, Alive provides free drop-in and enrichment programming for teens ages 11–18 at teen centers in Naperville, Aurora, and Hanover Park, helping young people build confidence, resilience, and purpose.

Media Contact:
Maggie Weiterman
Director of Marketing & Development, Alive Teen Center
630.778.6093 maggie@alivecenter.org

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