Media Archives - Alive Center - Naperville & Aurora

Stakeholder Spotlight: Waident Technology Solutions

Kandice — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 19:03:34 +0000

For Waident Technology Solutions, giving back takes many forms, from supporting hands-on learning for teens to turning their office into a holiday shopping destination for local nonprofits. This month’s Stakeholder Spotlight celebrates the generosity and creativity their team brings to supporting Alive Center and our community.

Waident recently sponsored Alive’s S.T.E.M. Exploration Day, helping make a day of discovery and learning possible for teens. Experiences like these give young people space to ask questions, explore their interests, and imagine new possibilities for their futures. We’re thankful to have partners who help us bring those opportunities to life.

Their generosity also shines through Givemas, an annual celebration that turns Waident’s Naperville office into a festive pop-up shop. Local nonprofits, including Alive, are invited to browse and select gifts and supplies completely free of charge. It’s a thoughtful way to share resources while bringing people together during the holiday season.

There’s something special about a team that puts this much imagination into giving. Through both event sponsorship and Givemas, Waident offers practical support with a personal touch, creating connections with the organizations working in their community.

To everyone at Waident, thank you for welcoming Alive into your celebrations and investing in opportunities for our teens. We’re grateful to be among the local organizations supported by your generosity!

Get to know this community-minded team: Visit Waident Technology Solutions

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More Than a Ride: Driven to Thrive Opens Doors for Aurora Teens

Kandice — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:56:52 +0000

Thanks to the Dunham Foundation, Alive Aurora is breaking down barriers and connecting more teens to opportunity.

For many teens, the difference between spending the afternoon alone and finding a safe place to belong comes down to one simple thing: a ride.

At Alive, we believe every teen deserves access to a safe, welcoming environment where they can discover their passions, build friendships, and develop the confidence to thrive. But we've learned that even when programs are completely free, getting there can be one of the biggest obstacles for families.

Thanks to the generous support of the Dunham Foundation, Alive Aurora launched Driven to Thrive, a transportation initiative that provides safe, reliable bus service from school directly to the Center. Through our partnership with West Aurora School District 129, teens at Washington, Jefferson, and Black Hawk Academy have a reliable way to reach Alive’s free after-school programs.

And the wheels are turning!

Since launching, Driven to Thrive has provided 243 bus rides, connecting teens to free, Teen-Led, Teen-Driven after-school programming that offers so much more than a place to spend the afternoon. Once they arrive, teens are welcomed into a community of caring adults and supportive peers. They can receive free tutoring, explore STEM and creative arts, participate in leadership opportunities, develop healthy coping skills, or simply enjoy being themselves in a space where they feel accepted and valued.

For working parents and families facing transportation challenges, Driven to Thrive provides something equally meaningful: peace of mind. By creating a reliable connection between school and Alive, the initiative helps ease transportation burdens while opening the door to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

Nourishing Teens Beyond the School Day

The Dunham Foundation's generosity is also helping Alive Aurora address another important barrier to youth well-being: food insecurity.

With the Foundation's support, Alive established a Friday Food Pantry, providing teens with healthy, shelf-stable snacks to take home for the weekend. Teens are encouraged to take what they need, without judgment or stigma.

It's a simple but powerful way to extend Alive's care beyond the walls of the Center, helping young people access nutritious food even when our doors are closed.

Building Connections That Last

As Driven to Thrive continues to grow, we're learning valuable lessons about what it takes to make after-school programming truly accessible. Strong partnerships with local schools, consistent communication with families, and flexibility in transportation schedules are all essential to meeting teens where they are.

But perhaps the most important lesson is this: Access creates opportunity.

Each of those 243 rides represents a chance for a teen to discover a new interest, find a trusted adult, make a friend, or experience the simple but powerful feeling of belonging.

And that impact extends far beyond the ride to Alive.

We are deeply grateful to the Dunham Foundation for recognizing that investing in youth means addressing the barriers that stand between them and the opportunities they deserve. We also thank West Aurora School District 129 and our partner schools for helping make these connections possible.

Because Driven to Thrive is about more than getting teens from school to Alive. It's about helping them get where they want to go in life.

Every ride is a connection. Every connection is an opportunity. And every opportunity is another chance to COME ALIVE.

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Creating Connection at Naperville’s First Possibility Festival

Kandice — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:54:25 +0000

At Alive, we know how much it matters to feel welcome, to walk into a space where you can be yourself and begin to find your people. This October, we had the opportunity to help create that experience beyond our center’s walls as a co-host of Naperville’s first Possibility Festival.

Together with KidsMatter, Inside Out Club, and Go Brewing, we welcomed the community to a two-day experience at Central Park focused on building meaningful human connections. For us, it was an exciting extension of the work we do every day: helping young people discover what makes them come alive and find a place where they belong.

The festival gave participants different ways to get to know one another, from games and shared meals to opportunities to give back. Teen leaders helped bring the experience to life, taking an active role in creating an event for their peers. Each activity offered a reason to start a conversation, try something unfamiliar, or spend time with someone new.

What made the weekend meaningful to our team was the willingness people brought to it. Connecting with someone you’ve just met can feel uncomfortable. Sharing something personal takes trust. Throughout the festival, there was room for that vulnerability alongside laughter and celebration.

Amanda McMillen, Executive Director of the Alive Center, reflected on what she saw:

“The Possibility Festival brought a group of strangers together with openness and vulnerability, and also fun and celebration, which is exactly what we hoped to accomplish in two short days. It was powerful to see the Naperville community show up for one another, and we are excited to carry this momentum forward to create more opportunities like this throughout our community.”

That sense of possibility is something we want young people to carry with them. A new connection can begin with a small step: joining an activity, asking a question, or giving someone your full attention. Creating welcoming spaces makes those steps a little easier.

We’re grateful to our co-hosts, teen leaders, volunteers, and everyone who took a chance on this first festival. Your participation helped turn an idea into a shared experience that we’re proud to have been part of.

At Alive, we’ll continue making room for those connections, and for the young people who are still looking for their place to begin.

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Inside the Teen Mind Season 1 Recap

Kandice — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:58:56 +0000

Inside the Teen Mind - Season 1 Recap

By Alive Center | Inside the Teen Mind Podcast

What’s happening inside the teen mind, and how can we better support the young people in our lives?

Season 1 of Inside the Teen Mind explored that question through conversations about growing up, mental health, identity, and connection. Co-hosts Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of Alive Center, and Dr. Lisa Konick helped parents, educators, and caregivers better understand the experiences behind teen behavior.

As the hosts reflect in their season recap video, here’s a look at the conversations you can catch up on before Season 2.

Meet the Hosts

Amanda McMillen, LCSW, brings more than two decades of experience serving children, youth, and families. At Alive Center, she leads an organization where teens are encouraged to build relationships, explore their interests, and develop leadership skills.

Dr. Lisa Konick is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, a group behavioral health practice offering research-based therapy and assessment services for individuals and families.

Together, they bring clinical expertise and a shared commitment to supporting teens to every conversation.

What Season 1 Explored

From everyday challenges to conversations that can feel difficult to start, the season covered:

The stages of adolescence: Understanding the changes from early adolescence through young adulthood.

Stress and mental health: Exploring burnout, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, and pressures that may go unnoticed.

Identity and belonging: Supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent teens as they navigate their development and relationships.

Social media: Looking beyond screen time to how online experiences affect confidence, connection, and emotional well-being.

Executive functioning: Understanding challenges with organization, time management, getting started, and following through.

Whether you’re navigating homework struggles, worried about social media, or hoping to understand your teen more deeply, there’s a conversation to start with.

Continuing the Conversation at Alive

At Alive Center, our teen-led, teen-driven programs give young people space to connect, discover interests, and feel accepted for who they are. Inside the Teen Mind extends that work to the adults who care about them, offering a place to learn and reflect on how we support teens.

Watch the Recap and Get Ready for Season 2

Watch Amanda McMillen and Dr. Lisa Konick look back on Season 1 below!

Again, thank you to everyone who listened or shared an episode with someone in their life. Stay tuned for the launch of Season 2!

Listen to Season 1

Missed an episode? Click here. Choose a topic that speaks to you, revisit a favorite conversation, or share the podcast with someone who cares about teens.

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Stakeholder Spotlight: Endeavor Health

Kandice — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:07:06 +0000

Generous investments in our mission help Alive Center create spaces where local teens can feel supported and connected. This month, we’re proud to recognize Endeavor Health, a major financial partner whose generous support has helped make our centers possible.

Through its Community Investment Fund, Endeavor Health helps Alive Center provide free, preventive mental health services for youth in grades 5–12 at our Naperville and Hanover Park Drop-In centers. This investment helps teens access welcoming spaces where they can build meaningful connections and feel supported.

Endeavor Health is also recognized on our Legacy Wall, honoring its lasting contribution to Alive Center. Its continued investment helps sustain the work happening in our centers every day and reflects a shared belief in the importance of supporting youth before challenges become crises.

We’re deeply grateful to Endeavor Health for helping build the foundation for this work and continuing to invest in its future. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping local teens come alive!

Learn more about Endeavor Health at endeavorhealth.org.

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Stakeholder Spotlight: Annie Kinsley

Kandice — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:30:44 +0000

At Alive Center, our work is made possible by people who believe in our mission and continue to show up for our teens and families. This month, we’re proud to recognize longtime Alive champion and State Farm Insurance Agent Annie Kinsley.

Annie has supported Alive for several years, generously sharing her time, talent, and resources with our community. Whether serving as a vendor at STEM Day, sponsoring events like Friendsgiving, where Alive provides Thanksgiving meals to local families, or volunteering her time to help create fun and meaningful experiences for our community, Annie has been there in every way.

What makes Annie’s support so special is her consistency. She doesn’t simply support one event or one initiative. She continues to show up wherever she is needed, always bringing the same warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine care for the people we serve.

We’re incredibly grateful for Annie and the lasting impact she has made throughout the Alive community. Thank you, Annie, for believing in our mission and continuing to stand beside our teens and families!

We’re proud to shine a well-deserved spotlight on Annie and encourage our community to support the people who so generously support Alive. To connect with Annie and the Kinsley Team for an insurance quote:

Call: 630-820-5400
Email: annie@thekinsleyteam.com
Learn more: Visit Annie Kinsley’s State Farm website

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Inside the Teen Mind Episode 8: The Double-Edged Scroll

Kandice — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:30:31 +0000

Inside the Teen Mind Episode 8: The Double-Edged Scroll

By Dr. Lisa Konick & Amanda McMillen, LCSW | Inside the Teen Mind Podcast – Episode 8 Companion Article Social media has become a major part of how teens communicate, build friendships, explore their identities, and understand their place in the world. For parents and caregivers, however, it can be difficult to know when online activity is helping a teen feel connected and when it may be contributing to anxiety, comparison, isolation, or low self-esteem. Parents often hear that they should focus on limiting screen time. But what if the more meaningful question is not simply how much time a teen spends online, but how that time makes them feel? Episode 8 of Inside the Teen Mind, “The Double-Edged Scroll: Social Media and Teen Mental Health,” is now available. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Konick of Konick & Associates and ALIVE Center Executive Director Amanda McMillen explore the emotional experiences unfolding behind teens’ screens. Rather than labeling social media as entirely “good” or “bad,” they help parents understand the different ways teens engage online and how those patterns can affect confidence, relationships, identity, sleep, and emotional well-being.

The Same Screen Time Can Affect Teens Differently

Two teens may spend the exact same amount of time on social media but walk away from that experience feeling completely different. One teen may feel inspired, entertained, and connected to friends. Another may leave the same platform feeling excluded, anxious, or as though everyone else is happier, more successful, or more accepted. That is why screen time alone does not always tell the whole story. The emotional impact of social media can depend on several factors, including:

The type of content a teen is viewing
How frequently they compare themselves to others
Whether they are actively connecting or passively scrolling
The role group chats and online feedback play in their friendships
Whether social media is being used for creativity, belonging, distraction, or emotional escape
How they feel about themselves before and after going online

Understanding these patterns can help adults move beyond arguments about phones and begin having more productive conversations about what teens are actually experiencing.

The Four Social Media Profiles

In this episode, Dr. Konick and Amanda introduce four social media profiles that can help parents better understand the emotional needs behind their teen’s online habits. These profiles are not permanent labels. A teen may move between them depending on their stress level, friendships, environment, or stage of development.

The Social Comparator

The Social Comparator often uses social media as a way to measure appearance, popularity, achievement, or self-worth. After scrolling, these teens may feel as though everyone else is doing better, looking better, or experiencing more than they are. Parents may notice mood changes after social media use, increased sensitivity about appearance, or pressure to be perfect.

The Avoidant Scroller

The Avoidant Scroller uses social media to escape boredom, stress, anxiety, or uncomfortable emotions. Scrolling may temporarily help them disconnect from what they are feeling, but it can also interfere with sleep, responsibilities, hobbies, family connection, and healthier coping strategies.

The Identity Explorer

The Identity Explorer uses social media to express creativity, explore interests, find communities, and learn more about who they are. This can be a meaningful and healthy part of adolescent development. Challenges can arise, however, when a teen’s confidence becomes overly dependent on likes, views, comments, or approval from others.

The Socially Dependent Connector

The Socially Dependent Connector relies heavily on group chats, messages, and online responsiveness to feel included and secure in their friendships. Delayed responses, unread messages, or being left out of a conversation can feel deeply personal. Even though these teens may be constantly connected online, they can still experience loneliness, fear of missing out, and anxiety about where they stand socially.

What Parents and Caregivers Will Learn

Episode 8 offers a balanced and research-informed perspective designed to help adults better understand the “why” behind teen social media habits. Listeners will learn:

What the four social media profiles may reveal about a teen’s emotional well-being
Why the same amount of screen time can lead to very different outcomes
How to recognize when scrolling is helping a teen connect versus leaving them anxious, isolated, or feeling “not enough”
Why group chats, likes, views, and delayed responses can carry so much emotional weight
How parents can approach conversations with curiosity instead of immediately creating another conflict over phones
Practical ways to help teens notice how online experiences affect their mood, confidence, and relationships

Moving From Control to Conversation

When adults are worried about a teen’s social media use, it can be tempting to begin with restrictions, consequences, or demands to put the phone away. Boundaries are still important, particularly when social media is disrupting sleep, school, family life, or emotional well-being. However, rules are often more effective when they are paired with curiosity and open communication. Instead of beginning with, “You’re always on your phone,” parents might ask:

“How do you usually feel after you’ve been scrolling?”
“Does social media make you feel more connected lately, or more stressed?”
“Are there certain accounts or group chats that leave you feeling worse?”
“What parts of being online feel fun or supportive to you?”
“Is there anything happening online that feels difficult to manage?”

These questions give teens an opportunity to reflect on their experiences without immediately feeling criticized or punished. The goal is not to ignore unhealthy habits. It is to help teens build the awareness and skills they will need to make healthier choices for themselves.

Helping Teens Build Connection Beyond the Screen

Social media can offer meaningful opportunities for creativity, friendship, and belonging. At the same time, teens also need places where they can connect in person without worrying about likes, followers, filters, or online performance. At ALIVE Center, teens are given opportunities to build real relationships, explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and feel accepted for who they are. Our teen-led, teen-driven programs create low-pressure spaces where young people can step away from online expectations and experience genuine community. These offline experiences can be especially valuable for teens who feel isolated, overwhelmed by comparison, or unsure of where they belong.

Listen to Episode 8

If you have ever wondered whether social media is affecting your teen’s mental health, or how to know when online habits are becoming a problem, this is an episode you will not want to miss. Listen to Episode 8 of Inside the Teen Mind: “The Double-Edged Scroll: Social Media and Teen Mental Health.” [LISTEN TO EPISODE 8] Inside the Teen Mind helps parents, caregivers, educators, and other supportive adults better understand adolescence through honest, research-informed conversations. The podcast is co-hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick of Konick & Associates and Amanda McMillen, Executive Director of ALIVE Center.

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Alive Center, Nicor Gas and the City of Aurora Partner for Free Trades Career Fair

Kandice — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:58:47 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alive Center, Nicor Gas and the City of Aurora Partner for Free Trades Career Fair

Alive Center and Nicor Gas, in partnership with the City of Aurora, invite teens, young adults and community members to explore hands-on, living-wage career opportunities at the Aurora Trades Career Fair on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 13 S. Water St. in downtown Aurora. The free event will connect attendees directly with local employers, unions and trade professionals representing utilities, plumbing, construction, union trades, apprenticeships and skilled labor. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about training and apprenticeship pathways, and meet people currently building careers in these high-demand fields. Nicor Gas, Miller Plumbing, Local Union 19 and additional local partners will be on-site to share insight into the wide range of opportunities available throughout the trades. “This event is about helping young people and community members see possibilities they may not have been exposed to before,” said Amanda McMillen, Executive Director of Alive Center. “The trades offer meaningful, stable careers, and there is nothing quite like being able to meet the people doing that work, ask honest questions and begin connecting what you are good at with a path forward.” The Aurora Trades Career Fair will also take place alongside the City of Aurora’s Touch-A-Truck event, giving attendees a chance to see vehicles, equipment and tools connected to these careers up close. Alive Center’s mission is to create Teen-Led, Teen-Driven centers focused on empowering the youth of today to become confident, impassioned, resilient leaders of tomorrow. Creating access to real-world career exploration is one more way Alive helps teens build confidence, make connections and envision futures that fit who they are. The Aurora Trades Career Fair is free and open to the public. For more information, visit alivecenter.org or follow Alive Center on social media. ### About the Alive Center The Alive Center is a nonprofit teen center dedicated to empowering youth through its Teen-Led, Teen-Driven model. Offering free after-school drop-in hours, leadership opportunities, mentoring, STEM, preventative mental health programming, and community service initiatives, Alive gives teens a safe space to belong, discover their passions, and develop skills that prepare them for life.

Media Contact:

Maggie Weiterman Director of Marketing & Development Alive Center, NFP maggie@alivecenter.org | 630.778.6093 www.alivecenter.org

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Alive Center Offers Affordable Teen-Led Summer Programs Focused on Leadership, Mental Health, STEM, and Creativity

Kandice — Fri, 22 May 2026 20:56:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alive Center Offers Affordable Teen-Led Summer Programs Focused on Leadership, Mental Health, STEM, and Creativity

This summer, Alive Center is excited to offer its ATI (Alive Teen Initiative) Summer Programs, a unique lineup of Teen-Led, Teen-Driven experiences designed to help youth explore their passions, build confidence, and connect with peers in a safe and supportive environment. Created by teens and led by teens, the ATI Summer Programs offer a wide range of affordable and accessible opportunities for students in grades 3–12. Programs focus on leadership development, preventative mental health, STEM and AI exploration, creativity, self-expression, and life skills, while giving teens meaningful opportunities to lead and make an impact. This year’s lineup includes programs such as Interactive Machine Learning, Teen-Led Career Fair, Hands Up ASL, Women Crossing Boundaries, Alive with Pride, Future Millionaires, Dungeons & Dragons, AstroThink, Code for Kids, Crafting Future Physicians, Brain Training Games, Summer Show Choir, and Tranquil Teens, which focuses on mental health awareness through games, conversation, and interactive activities. Many programs are completely free, while others are offered at a low-cost $25 registration fee to ensure accessibility for families. “At Alive, we believe every teen deserves opportunities to discover who they are, build meaningful relationships, and develop confidence in their abilities,” said Executive Director Amanda McMillen.“These programs are intentionally designed to be engaging, welcoming, and empowering, while also providing preventative mental health support through connection, belonging, and leadership.” Alive Center’s Teen-Led, Teen-Driven model empowers teens to take an active role in shaping programs and experiences for their peers. By centering youth voice and leadership, Summer Programs create an environment where young people feel seen, valued, and inspired to grow. Programs begin in June and run throughout the summer. Registration is now open. For more information or to register, visit alivecenter.org ###

About Alive Center

Alive Center is a nonprofit organization creating Teen-Led, Teen-Driven centers focused on empowering the youth of today to become the confident, impassioned, resilient leaders of tomorrow. Through free Drop-In services, leadership opportunities, mentoring, tutoring, and innovative programming, Alive provides preventative mental health support and safe spaces where teens can belong and thrive.

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Alive Teens Take the Lead

Kandice — Wed, 06 May 2026 20:32:50 +0000

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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