The May Buzz
Hi!
This month is one of the most important months at Simply Bee. It is our time to shine! Our mission & vision is to provide resources in our community to improve the well-being of everyone. The message for our upcoming event is mental health is health and it is ok to not be ok. All too often we hear stories of people who feel alone or misunderstood. There are some diagnoses that are openly discussed like anxiety but there are several others that are not talked about and we want to shed light on the truth behind mental health and that is, all people are worthy of love, care and attention no matter what. Join us and help to spread this message and help save lives through action.

Sincerely,
Audrey
What's Happening This Month
Free Community Event: May 20th
Mental Health Action Day Walk & Ice Cream Social
Local Sponsors Include:

Level II Sponsors:
  • Connie Barhorst, Baird & Warner
  • Black Cat Yoga
  • FW Family Law Group, LLC

Level I Sponsors:
  • 847 Running Company
  • Lead
  • Corporate Wellness Partners
  • North Shore Pro-Active Health

Gifted Items:
  • Card My Yard
  • Sparkle & Twine
  • Dairy Dream
  • Starbucks - Libertyville
  • Hansa Coffee Libertyville

In partnership with both local organizations & over 800 worldwide brands, nonprofits, cultural leaders and government agencies, Simply Bee is proud to be a part of this inaugural movement on Thursday, May 20th sharing the message the Mental Health Is Health!

Head to MentalHealthActionDay.org to learn more and join us in our effort to shift from awareness to action on mental health!




Here's How We're Taking Action
What: This is a family-friendly event!

When: Thursday, May 20th | 6:30-7:30pm

Where: We will meet at the bike path on the corner of 176 & Garfield and walk west, ending at Dairy Dream for a free ice cream cone

There will be photo ops throughout the event so make sure you wear orange and/or blue for the theme colors! Branded Mental Health is Health SWAG for the first 50 people who register on Eventbrite.

*This will be a COVID cautious event: please wear a mask, respect social distancing and do not participate if you or anyone you've been in contact with in the last 10 days has tested positive.
Free Virtual Educator Event: May 25th
Illinois Teacher Town Hall Tour
The Town Hall Tour is coming to Illinois on May 25th! As a sponsor of this event, Audrey Grunst, LCSW, Therapist & Owner of Simply Bee will be there to share mental health tips and tools to help support and inspire our teachers. Come and join us!

The Teacher’s Resource is an exclusive organization for all teachers. They are dedicated to improving the quality of life and overall well-being of every teacher by providing essential items and tools to support their self-care in and out of the classroom. They kicked off their 50 State Teacher’s Town Hall Tour on March 16th and will continue across the country with a goal to provide free support and wellness resources to educators. Each action-packed virtual stop features self-care experts, special guests, giveaways and so much more!

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Open to all educators
Virtual Workshop: May 27th
Re-entering Relationships Post-COVID
In this thought-provoking workshop you will learn tools on how to re-enter relationships with friends and family. With so much time and distance away from others it's common to question our old circle of people and begin to imagine living our lives much differently that we did before.

Join Simply Bee clinician Jacqueline Ritz, LCPC, to discuss strategies for ending old relationships and how to start new ones too. This workshop will focus on:
  • Teaching you how to cope with lost relationships and/or set new boundaries
  • Learning how to practice vulnerability
  • Discovering ways to widen your social network despite feeling nervous
  • Identifying the beginning steps to re-enter social scenes without anxiety or worry.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Open to adults ages 18+
Cost: $20/person
*Zoom link will be sent after registration is complete
Meet the New 'Bees'
The hive has been expanding and we're not done growing! Please help us welcome to our newest clinical team members:

Kerry Strzyzewski, LPC - Child, Adolescent & Young Adult Therapist & Annie Peck, LPC - Young Adult & Adult Therapist.

Additionally, we've brought on Keri Eckert, Client & Employee Coordinator & Madeline Pekala, Administrative Assistant to support our growing team and the needs of our community. Check out our Meet The Team page for full bios.


WE'RE HIRING!
We are looking for experienced therapists and a clinical director to join our practice. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a family & children therapist position, please apply here.
In Case You Missed It
Presentation to D128 Parents
Growing A Resilient Mind: Parent Edition
Over 200+ Libertyville & Vernon Hills parents registered virtually to join Audrey Grunst, LCSW, on April 14th from 7-8:00pm as she shared her five-step Growth & Resiliency Model© for parents. They learned how to implement those steps and apply tangible skills into their daily life to increase emotional wellness and tolerance, even during challenging or uncertain times.

If you are a parent interested in bringing this presentation to your school, please reach out to our Manager of Community Education, Kate Kelley for more info.
NEW! Bee You Planner Series
After sharing her keynote speech, Growing A Resilient Mind, with nearly a thousand educators over the past year, Audrey Grunst, LCSW, Therapist & CEO of Simply Bee felt inspired her to write a guided planner series.

The Bee You Planner is a five-part personal development planner that utilizes the Growth & Resiliency Model© to help people learn how to cope ahead and tackle their biggest challenges with confidence. The series starts with Become Aware and it's available now.
In Case You Missed It

Want More?
If you're interested in checking out our resources and programs designed to support wellbeing for educators, parents & students join our Simply Bee Classroom newsletter, The Bulletin
Do you see an event you like?
Contact us and we will help bring mental wellness to you!
For more information on workshops, public speaking engagements & more...