FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alive Center Launches Giving Tuesday Campaign to Raise $100,000, Because Every Teen Deserves Alive
Naperville, IL November 11, 2025 – The Alive Center for Teens is proud to kick off its Every Teen Deserves Alive annual appeal with a bold Giving Tuesday goal: raise $100,000 in one day to expand free, prevention-focused mental health and leadership programs for teens across Naperville, Aurora, and Hanover Park.
Giving Tuesday, Tuesday, December 2, 2025 comes at a pivotal moment as today’s youth continue to face unprecedented mental health challenges, pressure to perform, and increasing social isolation because of social media and overuse of electronics. Alive is meeting that need by providing teens with something every young person deserves: a safe place to belong, be heard, build confidence, and become who they are meant to be.
“Think back to your teenage years,” said Kandice Henning, Alive Founder & CEO. “Who helped you find your voice? Where did you go when you needed to feel safe, seen, and understood? Today’s teens deserve that same support, and Alive is here to provide it.”
Alive’s Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model empowers youth to lead programs, mentor peers, and develop emotional resilience, all at no cost to families. In 2024, Alive served more than 1,000 teens across its three centers, with measurable impact:
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84% reported increased self-confidence.
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71% improved their ability to cope with stress.
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72% felt a greater sense of belonging.
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73% experienced increased purpose, excitement, and personal growth
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97% of Teen Advisory Board members gained leadership skills
“Every Teen Deserves Alive isn’t just a campaign, it’s our reality,” said Maggie Weiterman, Director of Development & Marketing. “We see teens come in unsure if they fit anywhere, and then watch friendships form, confidence bloom, and walls come down. We hear laughter where there used to be silence, and watch leaders emerge from those who once stood in the back of the room. That’s the power of belonging. Prevention matters. Connection saves lives, and every gift helps one more teen know they matter. Right now, all bequest gifts are being matched up to $100,000, doubling your impact for teens in our community.”
How Donations Help Teens Thrive
Giving Tuesday gifts directly support:
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Free after-school Drop-In hours
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Peer mentoring & leadership opportunities
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Homework help & tutoring
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STEM and creative arts programs
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Mental wellness and life-skills workshops
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Social work intern supervision and youth support volunteers
Alive’s commitment is simple: if a teen needs a safe place to go, they will have one, free of charge.
Ways to Support
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Make a match donation that doubles Giving Tuesday donations
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Give: AliveCenter.org/donate
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Make a bequest gift. All legacy and DAF gifts are being matched up to $100,000 , doubling your impact for teens in our community.
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Start a peer fundraising team
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Share on social media using hashtags #EveryTeenDeservesAlive #BeTheSomeoneTheyNeed
About Alive
Alive Center is a nonprofit Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ organization dedicated to empowering youth ages 11–18 through free after-school and summer programming. With locations in Naperville, Aurora, and Hanover Park, Alive helps teens discover who they are, build resilience, develop leadership skills, and thrive.
Media Contact:
Maggie Weiterman
Director of Development & Marketing
Alive Center for Teens
Maggie@alivecenter.org