Elyssa's Mission

05/25/2026

In honor of Mental Health Action Day, our community partners at Simply Bee hosted their 6th annual community walk and ice cream social to take action for mental health. As recipients of their fundraiser’s proceeds last year, we were honored to become a sponsor to support this year’s recipient, Paws for Patrick, and the amazing work that they do! 🐾💜🐝

05/12/2026

We would like to express our appreciation to the Northbrook Woman’s Club Foundation for their ongoing support to fund and implement the SOS program in Northbrook middle and high schools. We truly value our long-standing partnership that exceeds 10 years!

04/29/2026

We are deeply grateful to the Megan Butz Legacy of Hope Foundation for their continued support. This year, they awarded $312,500 in grants to 13 Chicago-area organizations dedicated to mental and su***de prevention, including $27,000 to Elyssas Mission. This grant will sustain SOS programming in the 7 middle and high schools funded by Megan Butz last year, in addition to funding SOS programming in 5 new schools during the 2026-2027 school year.

Check out the video below to hear more about the amazing work they do and the organizations they support! 💜🪷

https://youtu.be/aHPvTqgfjUI?feature=shared

04/24/2026

Are you passionate about su***de prevention? Are you interested in making a real difference in the lives of teens? Then use the link below to learn more about the SOS Program Expansion Director position with Elyssa’s Mission and apply now!

https://elyssasmission.org/career-opportunities/

04/23/2026

You’re invited to Elyssa’s Mission’s 19th Annual Fundraiser, Voices of Hope, an evening dedicated to listening, learning, and leading with compassion. Join us as voices from students share how SOS and Hope Squad are changing lives, building connection, and fostering hope in our schools. Together, we will gather to honor Elyssa’s Mission and support prevention efforts that save young lives.

Buy tickets, become a sponsor, or consider donating if you’re unable to attend using the link below.

We can’t wait to see you there!

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0013c00001opZDiAAM/events/vevt:ebc27188-7c27-49ab-8cbc-5a4988946871/home/story?blm_aid=0

02/10/2026

A special thank you to our furry friends, Tobias Comfort Dog and Gethsemane Comfort Dog, who have been hard at work supporting students during their SOS Signs of Su***de presentations at Round Lake High School again this year! 🐾

01/15/2026

We invite you to attend this FREE event hosted by our valued community partner, Kenilworth Union Church.

On January 26th from 7-8:30 PM, John Trautwein, a Chicago native, Northwestern grad and former MLB pitcher, will speak about building a support team of friends and family to help navigate the periods of pain and tragedy that we all inevitably face at some point in our lives. The event is appropriate for both adults and teens who would benefit from John’s message of love and hope. Register and learn more at: www.kuc.org/event/john-trautwein-on-life-teammates/

01/15/2026

We invite you to attend this FREE event hosted by our valued community partner, Kenilworth Union Church.

On January 26th from 7-8:30 PM, John Trautwein, a Chicago native, Northwestern grad and former MLB pitcher, will speak about building a support team of friends and family to help navigate the periods of pain and tragedy that we all inevitably face at some point in our lives. The event is appropriate for both adults and teens who would benefit from John’s message of love and hope.

Since losing his 15-year-old son in 2010, former MLB player John Trautwein has been sharing what he has learned as a grieving parent caught unaware of the

01/09/2026

Juniors and Seniors you can apply for our scholarship today! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about the scholarship and access the application. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 16th.

10/23/2025

We’re excited to share the Daily Herald's recent article featuring Elyssa’s Mission’s close-knit partnership with The Megan Butz Legacy of Hope. Together, through our fully-funded su***de prevention programming, we are making a tangible difference in Chicagoland schools, educating school communities and helping to save young lives. We encourage you to read the full article and share it widely — awareness is one of the most powerful tools.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20251017/news/out-of-grief-hope-for-others-su***de-prevention-organizations-work-together-to-spur-dialogue-redu/?fbclid=PAdGRleANmXcxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpxIJ0SyZs6xicsoBEQZqFnQGQKXNG1I_lsqo2mcDc1y9mNObCIPP8HHdT99S_aem_uOh-hkFV2nlE91nC2nikv

In 2023, su***de was the second-leading cause of death of those between ages 10 and 34 in America, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It was the fourth-leading cause between ages 35...