Latest news with #FamilyFirstCenter
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Family First Center of Lake County licensed as behavioral clinic; ‘We … address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally'
The Family First Center of Lake County is taking a significant step in its mission of empowering families by becoming licensed as an Illinois Certified Behavioral Clinic after nearly 25 years of helping people with mental and emotional needs. Rachael Chenier, Family First's executive director, said the new designation enables the organization to bill Medicaid and private insurance companies for what it provides to community members for services like counseling, wellness, substance abuse, holistic help and more. 'We take a holistic approach to enable people to be mentally and emotionally stable,' Chenier said. 'We take a thorough approach and address all of their needs — mentally, spiritually and emotionally.' The Family First Center in Waukegan officially became a Certified Behavioral Clinic on May 1 in its effort to help community members and their families put their lives on a firm footing after experiencing setbacks. Among the services available through Family First are counseling, group counseling and case management, as well as holistic health services like yoga, meditation and participation in a wellness circle. With an ultimate goal of a strong family, Family First strives, 'to nurture, educate and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system,' according to its mission statement. Many Hernandez, Family First's director of operations, said the services are multidimensional, helping people care for their body, spirit and emotions. When more is necessary, it is added to the mix offered. 'We address all their needs,' Hernandez said. 'This is the holistic approach — to be mentally, emotionally and financially stable so the whole family is intact.' In the past, Chenier said Family First financed its operations with grants, donations and events. None of those activities will stop, but the addition of funding from Medicaid and private insurance companies will go a long way toward helping more people. Becoming a certified behavioral clinic is important for many of the people who live in Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion and other parts of northeast Lake County. Too often, people wait until the situation becomes too acute. 'The African American and Latino population in this area uses the emergency room at the hospital as their primary care location,' Chenier said. 'All of our services are bilingual. We want to increase the awareness of our services so people know to come to us.' Should a community member need individual counseling, Family First Center founder Evelyn Chenier, Rachel's mother and the director of mental health services, gets involved. Evelyn Chenier is a PhD psychologist and licensed counselor. Should an individual need medication to treat a mental health condition, Everly Chenier said the person is referred to Lake Behavioral Hospital or the Lake County Health Department. She also does play therapy with children. 'It helps with defining issues,' Evelyn Chenier said. 'When you see them play, it can help (to understand) anxiety or anger issues.' Taking a holistic approach, Rachael Chenier said there are times people need help where part of the remedy is available elsewhere. A township — Waukegan, Zion, Benton, Avon or Warren — can help with emergency financial situations like rent or utilities. PADS Lake County helps with homelessness. Unlike many behavioral clinics, Family First officials do not just wait for people to come to them. Hernandez said Family First goes into the community to let people know about what is available and how the organization can help. 'We meet people where they are,' Hernandez said. 'We go all around the county. We let people know all our services are in one location. We take our services out into the community. We call it unity in the community.'
Chicago Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan workshop builds up children's self-esteem; ‘They will be less troubled … (in) their teenage years'
Zendaya Skinner, a sixth grader from Zion, plans to own a farm one day for her and the family she intends to raise there. Responding to a prompt from Evelyn Chenier during a self-esteem workshop, Zendaya and the other seven children in the group between the ages of 6 and 12 were asked to share two truths about themselves, as well as what they want to become as adults. 'I'm an artist,' Zendaya said. 'I like animals. I'm going to adopt a few kids and own a farm.' Zendaya was one of several children participating in the Waukegan Park District's Be You, Be Bold Self Esteem Workshop, which finished its three sessions Tuesday at the Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan. Chenier said she wants the participants to learn at a young age who they are and become aware of their strengths, weaknesses and how to deal with them. By talking freely about themselves, they will be able to affirm who they are to themselves and others. 'We want them to think for themselves and not be followers,' Chenier said. 'They will be less troubled when they reach their teenage years. We want them to be resistant to joining gangs, doing drugs and peer pressure.' Living with her two younger brothers — they are also part of the workshop — and in the process of being adopted together, Zendaya is already strongly influenced by the happenings in her young life. Her goal of adopting 'a few kids' comes naturally. 'All people should be in a family and have a home. I'm with a family now that's going to adopt us,' she said. 'I love animals,' she added, referring to her wish to own a farm. Started in 2004 in response to two North Chicago High School senior athletes who were killed, and at the behest of then-U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, Chenier said the Family First Center of Lake County nurtures and empowers families. During the three hour-long sessions, Chenier said that some of the time the participants sit in a circle as they did Tuesday, talking about themselves and their aspirations. They also do art projects designed to help them learn about themselves. Cutting pictures out of magazines, the youngsters were pasting the images on construction paper. They added their own words to embellish the message. Chenier said it helps bring out feelings so they can learn about themselves through doing a craft. As the youngsters sat in a circle, one said he was on the football team at school and he wants to star in the National Football League one day. Another said he was good at technology because it was fun. Someone else said he liked running and wanted to get better at that in the future. 'I'm pretty fast,' he said. Julia Sanchez, a recreation supervisor with the Park District, said the initial self-esteem offering was done with teens. It was decided it would be a good idea to do one with younger children. They reached out to the Family First Center to oversee the effort. 'We're looking at similar offerings and topics,' Sanchez said. Getting a lot of attention was Leviticus. Chenier said the three-week-old puppy is her granddaughter's comfort dog. As the children arrived, they crowded around the dog, petting and playing with the pup. 'It's calming for all the kids,' Chenier said. Khalianie Amaro, a fourth grader from Waukegan, said Leviticus was a highlight of the workshop. 'He's so cute and tiny,' Khalianie said.
