Uncategorized Archives - Alive Center - Naperville & Aurora

2025 Donor Honor Roll

Kandice — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:28:30 +0000

Alive Teen Center is honored to share our 2025 Donor Honor Roll, recognizing the generous foundations, corporations, and individuals who contributed $1,000 or more. Their generosity, and the ongoing support and kindness of all our donors, makes it possible for Alive to uphold our mission of providing free, safe, and teen-led spaces where young people can belong, grow, and thrive. To make a donation in support of our annual fund, please click HERE. #EveryTeenDeservesAlive #BeTheSomeoneTheyNeed

Right now, all bequest and donor-advised fund (DAF) gifts are matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, doubling your impact for local teens. Click HERE to complete a Bequest Information Form.

A legacy gift to Alive Teen Center helps ensure that future generations have access to free, preventative mental health support, mentorship, creative exploration, and meaningful connection, removing barriers for teens and families who need it most.

*If your name has been omitted in error, please contact Maggie Weiterman at maggie@alivecenter.org

Be Greater Than Legacy Society

We are deeply grateful to the members of Alive Teen Center’s Be Greater Than Society, businesses and individuals who have chosen to make a lasting investment in the future of teens through planned multi-year giving in support of the Come Alive Institute, and future Alive Teen Centers.

Their generosity reflects a powerful belief: that every teen deserves a safe place to belong, trusted mentors to guide them, and opportunities to discover their passion. By committing to the future of Alive, these donors ensure that free, preventative mental health support, leadership development, and connection will remain accessible to generations of teens to come.

Because of you, Alive’s impact extends beyond today, and into the lives of countless young people tomorrow. Thank you for choosing to be greater than, and for leaving a legacy that truly matters.

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Alive Teen Initiative Programs are Back!

Kandice — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 22:12:42 +0000

ALIVE TEEN INITIATIVE PROGRAMS ARE BACK FOR FALL!

At Alive, we believe teens aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they’re the leaders of today. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that Alive Teen Initiative (ATI) Programs are BACK! Our Teen-Led, Teen-Driven philosophy gives young people the opportunity, training, and support to design and run programs that matter most to them.

ATI Programs are made for youth and teens, by teens...the real pros on what’s fun, fresh, and engaging for all. From Book Clubs to Coding, Money Moves to ESL, there’s something for everyone to stay engaged, involved, and growing at Alive.

How it works: Scroll through the lineup, pick your faves, and sign up for as many as you want for just a small fee (or snag a scholarship if you need one!).

Come hang out, learn new skills, and make friends while doing things you actually enjoy.

SIGN UP FOR ATI PROGRAMS TODAY!

Choose your fave program below and lock in your spot! Questions? Email nick@alivecenter.org or call 630-778-6093.

Code for Kids Grades: 6th-10th Weekly on Tuesdays 5:30PM-6:30PM September 2nd-October 21st. $25 Fee Scholarships Available Code for Kids is a student led tech program designed to make computer science fun, creative, and beginner friendly! Whether you're brand new to coding or curious about how technology works, this program helps you go from Scratch to Python in a supportive, hands on environment. Led by high school volunteers from TechTogether Naperville, each session empowers students to think like problem-solvers and build real projects together. There is no experience needed! Come explore how coding can be exciting, artistic, and even a little magical. Astrothink Grades: 3rd-6th Weekly on Thursdays 4:30PM-6:00PM September 11th-October 2nd. $25 Fee Scholarships Available Ignite your child’s imagination with AstroThink, an after-school adventure where young innovators grades 3-6 explore the wonders of space and artificial intelligence through hands-on STEM challenges! Once a week, our 90 minute sessions blend quick interactive demos with 30 minutes of creative building and real-world science explanations. From paper airplane craters to AI-powered planet classifiers, AstroThink makes learning out-of-this-world fun—no prior experience needed. Bringing Voices Grades: 9th-12th Weekly on Wednesdays 5:00PM-6:00PM September 10th-October 29th $25 Fee Scholarships Available This program is specially designed for high school students who are new to English. It helps students improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in a supportive and welcoming environment. The program focuses on building confidence in using English for school, daily life, and future goals. Students will learn at their own pace with help from the teen leaders and other fun activities. We also provide support in understanding school subjects like math, science, and history, while improving English at the same time. Alive Center Book Club Grades: 9th-12th Weekly on Wednesdays 5:00PM-6:00PM September 10th-May 20th. $25 Registration Fee

Do you want to read and talk about books with other like-minded individuals? Do you want to dive into new worlds and explore new situations? Come to the Alive Center's Book Club and discuss literature, themes, and so much more! We meet every other Wednesday at the Alive Center. Everyone is welcome! Wired Minds Grades: 6th-10th Weekly on Fridays 4:30PM-5:30PM September 12th-October 10th This program brings free, accessible education on useful life skills to the future of our nation. Topics include programming, critical thinking, and electrical circuitry. Dungeons & Dragons Grades 6 - 12 Starting 9/22/25 and goes on Mondays throughout the school year until 5/25/26 4-6PM in the Art Room during Drop In $25 Registration Fee

Step into a world of adventure, teamwork, and imagination! Whether you’re a seasoned dungeon crawler or brand new to the game, our D&D Club is the place to roll the dice, create epic characters, and explore fantastical worlds with friends.You’ll work together to solve mysteries, battle monsters, and tell unforgettable stories—no experience needed, just bring your creativity and sense of adventure.

Build - a - Biz Workshop

Grades: 9th-12th. 10:00AM-1:00PM. Saturday October 25th $10 registration fee with scholarships available

Join us for an exciting, hands-on event designed to empower the next generation with the money smarts they need to succeed! Our Youth Financial Literacy day is packed with interactive workshops and expert tips! Your future is worth the investment, start today!

Money Moves Grades: 5th-12th Everyday from 4:00PM-5:15PM November 3rd- November 7th $25 fee with Scholarships available, Dance and finance – a surprising pair? Perhaps! Think school teaches everything kids need to know? Think again. Give your child a head start with this dance and financial literacy program at the Alive Center! Through a mix of choreography from different styles EVERY WEEK, fun games, hands-on activities, friendly competition, and engaging lessons, kids will learn the basics of dance, movement, and personal finance - all while having a blast. This unique program brings movement and money together, helping kids stay active while building real-life skills that matter. Led by experienced dancers and financial educators, it’s the perfect first step toward confidence, creativity, and financial success. Let them dance. Let them learn. Let them thrive. It’s fun and unforgettable!

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Leading, Learning, & Growing: A Decade of Alive

Kandice — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:26:28 +0000

It’s hard to believe Alive has been open for 10 years. From one small space to three growing centers (and more to come), we’ve welcomed over 8,000 unique teens and counted 85,000+ visits. We’ve seen confidence build, friendships form, and lives transformed. As we celebrate this milestone, here’s what we’ve learned along the way: Teens Need Us - Now More Than Ever Mental health challenges are rising fast. Teens today face pressures from an overwhelming world. More than ever, they need real connection, not just screens. Let Them Lead When teens are trusted to lead, they rise. They don’t need us hovering, they need us believing in them, guiding when needed, and giving them space to grow. Prevention Starts with Connection Supporting mental health starts with connection. The CDC puts it best: “Teens are resilient… and we know what works, feeling connected to others, schools, and family.” At Alive, we see it daily: a laugh, a moment of trust, a place to feel seen. Safe Spaces Make a Difference Our after-school spaces are more than hangouts, they’re protective. Teens find support, build friendships, and form healthy habits in a space that feels safe and welcoming. Inclusion Matters When teens feel like they truly belong, they thrive. That means making sure LGBTQ+ youth, kids with disabilities, and teens from all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and valued. Accessibility-physical and digital-is essential. Structure Builds Trust Teens want freedom, but they also need clear expectations. At Alive, boundaries are built on respect, not control. We lead with consistency and compassion, modeling accountability so teens can grow into it too. We Love What We Do These 10 years have shown us just how powerful connection, belonging, and youth leadership can be. And we’re just getting started. Interested in bringing an Alive Center to your area? Reach out to us at cai@alivecenter.org.

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Building Confidence and Community Through Music: The Amatones Choir Camp

Kandice — Wed, 07 May 2025 18:42:32 +0000

This summer, the Amatones Choir Camp is offering a unique, teen-led opportunity for youth ages 8–15 in DuPage County to grow not just as musicians—but as confident, collaborative, and expressive individuals.

Hosted at the Alive Center and powered by a grant from the DuPage Foundation, this camp goes beyond traditional music instruction and is Teen-Led, Teen-Driven by accomplished student musicians, Alex Amato and Allie Budney.

Alex and fellow musician Allie Budney will direct the choir where campers will strengthen their understanding of healthy vocal technique while developing essential life skills like communication, collaboration, and self-confidence. These attributes will serve them both on and off the stage—empowering them in school, social situations, and future leadership roles.

Through team-building and leadership-focused activities, participants will form meaningful connections with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

Confidence, Communication & Connection

Through daily rehearsals, team-building activities, and guided performance practice, campers will build self-confidence and learn the value of clear communication and effective collaboration. These skills are crucial for success not only in music, but in school, future workplaces, and everyday life.

Fostering Leadership and Friendship

The program emphasizes teamwork and leadership, encouraging campers to take initiative, support one another, and develop friendships across diverse backgrounds. It’s a chance for kids and teens to feel seen, heard, and included—creating a deeper sense of community and belonging.

A Creative Space for Growth

With a strong focus on self-expression and creativity, the Amatones Choir Camp provides a safe, supportive environment where participants can explore their interests, find their voices, and build resilience. Whether they’re seasoned performers or just discovering a love for singing, every camper is welcome.

By investing in youth through the power of music, the Amatones Choir Camp is helping shape the next generation of artists, leaders, and changemakers—and making a lasting impact on the cultural and social well-being of DuPage County.

Camp Details:

Ages: 8–15 (Grades 3–9)
Cost: Just $25 for the full camp
Location: Alive Center, 500 W. 5th Street Naperville
Dates and Times

Camp for students in grades 3-5:

-Dates: June 2nd - June 25th (Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) Times: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Camp for students in grades 6-9: -Dates: June 2nd - June 25th (Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) Times: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM REGISTER NOW Spots are limited!

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