Life Span: News to Empower
Youth Advisory Board to Raise Awareness About Dating Violence
"Domestic and sexual violence end here” is a Life Span motto and an ambitious goal. One way we can make it happen: educating the next generation. Life Span Director of Counseling Laura Valiukenas and Advocate Sasha Solov provided teen dating violence prevention training to a group of older youth. This group, called the “Youth Advisory Board” was recruited by Life Span and our partners at The Network and Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline. Members participated in a focus group, discussing ideas and graphic design to determine how to most effectively raise awareness about teen dating violence. 

Stay tuned for info on the roll-out of the campaign in October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month)!
Thank you to all those who attended our
2nd Annual Light to Life event!
Look out for all of the event photos on our Facebook page later this week!
Meet Our New Staff: L Pollard
L (she/they) is a new Criminal Court Advocate at Life Span. They just earned their Master's in Education Policy from University of Illinois at Chicago. Their studies focused on how social structures and institutions perpetuate inequality. As a graduate student she provided research and programming support for the Women's Leadership and Resource Center and the Campus Advocacy Network at UIC. She has also volunteered with the YWCA providing advocacy and support for survivors. 
Family Picnic 2019
Pictured (from left): Eunji (Staff Attorney), Beisabel (Family Counselor), Aristea (Data Management Coordinator), Veronika (Counselor), Laura (Director of Counseling), and Ryan (Counselor).
Our quarterly family picnic in August was a huge success! Clients were able to enjoy a family meal, and outdoor activities. In anticipation of back to school season, we were able to obtain school supplies and backpacks from World Vision. This event gives our clients and their families the opportunity to grow with each other and enjoy the special moments.
  LIFE SPAN: DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE END HERE