See how your support transforms the lives of youth through real stories, powerful outcomes, and measurable impact.
Every youth’s journey looks different—but each one reminds us why our work matters. These personal stories highlight the courage it takes to ask for help, the transformation that’s possible when compassion meets opportunity and the impact of your generosity.
Hear directly from the people who make our mission come alive—youth, parents, staff, and supporters—each sharing what hope and healing look like through 360 Youth Services. Their stories show how, together, we create brighter futures for young people in crisis.
Samantha* was struggling at school. Every day, she felt overwhelmed by anxiety and depression. Raised in an abusive environment, she …
Josh* came to 360 Youth Services’ Cornerstone Group Home as an emergency placement. It was a big adjustment for him—the structured …
When Amy* joined 360 Youth Services’ Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), she was shy and unsure of herself. YAC, a substance use prevention …
Frank’s* journey from homelessness to educational success is truly inspiring. After enduring the harsh realities of life without …
Samantha* was struggling at school. Every day, she felt overwhelmed by anxiety and depression. Raised in an abusive environment, she carried deep feelings of shame and self-blame for the trauma she’d endured. Thankfully, her school referred her to 360 Youth Services for counseling services. There Samantha found the support she needed to begin her healing journey.
Samantha’s 360 YS counselor gave her a safe space to talk about, process and accept her past. Through narrative therapy, she worked to explore her trauma—reclaiming her story on her own terms. With each session, she found the strength to rewrite the narrative she had once believed about herself, shifting from self-blame to self-compassion. “I have watched this client grow from a quiet and full-of-shame teenager to a bright and beautiful young girl. She has faced her trauma head-on and is relearning to love herself and grow from her experiences,” shared her 360 YS counselor.
Today, Samantha finds herself in a healthier more stable environment. She’s excelling in school and has set her sights set on college—a future she once believed was out of reach. While she is still working to rebuild relationships with family members, she remains hopeful for reconciliation in the future. Most importantly, Samantha has learned to embrace self-love, proving that healing is possible when given the right support. At 360 YS, we believe in the power of resilience. Samantha’s journey is a testament to her resiliency and the transformative impact of compassionate care.
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
.Leila* was struggling to balance her cultural heritage with her desire to fit in as an average American high school student. Conflicts with her traditional parents over clothing, activities, and relationships led to Leila becoming severely depressed, self-harm behaviors and thoughts of suicide.
Leila’s school social worker noticed changes in her and referred Leila to 360 Youth Services’ school-based counselor. Through counseling, Leila explored her feelings, culture, and relationships. Her close bond with her sister provided crucial support, helping her develop a safety plan and cease self-harm behaviors. Counseling offered her a safe space to understand her emotions, set boundaries, and improve communication with her parents.
Counseling empowered Leila to create a solid foundation for healthy relationships and personal growth. Her journey, though intense, was marked by resilience and commitment. Leila now has a set of skills she can draw upon as she builds herself a positive future.
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
Skylar* attended several 360 Youth Services Snowball retreats as a participant. But after applying and being accepted as a member of the teen staff, they were really pumped for the Spring Snowball retreat, themed “Count on Me.”
Snowball builds resilience in youth, creates a community so they feel connected, and empowers them to make healthy choices around alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and other drugs.
After nearly ten weeks of training, Skylar was ready. They were excited to be someone others could count on and hoped they’d connect with the participants. That weekend, Skylar led a small group. They also helped perform skits for the Prevention Theater, a powerful part of the retreat. One of the last skits was called “Because of…” where each teen shares a reason they choose to stay drug-free. At the end, the teen staff join arms and sing “Lean on Me.”
As Skylar looked around the room, the energy and emotion were contagious. Adult staff in the back linked arms and began singing. Then the teen staff jumped off the stage and moved into the rows, linking arms with participants. By the end of the song, everyone had come together in one big circle.
They swayed. They sang louder. “Lean on me, when you’re not strong, …” Skylar felt emotional. What began as a group of strangers had become a circle of connection and care. Skylar looked around the circle. In that moment, it was clear that we all need somebody sometimes—and we’ve found that here. We’re all one. One of the final activities was an accountability group painting, a way for each group to create a welcoming space for each other.
A member of Skylar’s group looked at them and said, “This is my first time at Snowball, and I’ve never felt this welcomed anywhere in my life.” Skylar left Spring Snowball knowing they had made a difference!
Thank you for helping youth grow into leaders and show others that they’re never alone.
*To protect privacy, the name and image are representational only.
Social media can be a lot to handle, even for adults. Now imagine being a teen, still figuring out who you are, and feeling the pressure of likes, comments, and constant screen time. Some teens spend an unbelievable 14 hours a day online. It can take a real toll on their mental health and relationships.
Earlier this year, 360 Youth Services (360 YS) met with DuPage County’s juvenile probation department to address a concern. More teens were facing criminal charges because of things that happened online… cyberbullying, peer conflict, threats… and there weren’t many options to help them. 360 YS listened and took action.
In April 2025, our counseling team launched Connections, a 10-week group counseling program that gives youth ages 13–17, who’ve come into contact with law enforcement, a second chance. Participants meet once a week with two 360 YS counselors, Becky and Olivia. They learn how technology impacts them and how to set boundaries, regulate emotions, and build healthier connections both online and off.
Matt* was one of the first to join the group. At the start, he barely spoke and kept his head down the entire session. He didn’t feel comfortable speaking about what had happened. But by week three, something shifted. He felt safe to share. He started opening up, sharing his story, and encouraging others.
Thanks to you, 360 YS can step in where help is needed most. You’re giving teens the chance to grow and change.
*To protect privacy, the name and image are representational only.
Carmi* entered 360 Youth Services’ housing program just a week after turning 18. Having experienced homelessness for several years as a minor—living on the streets, in shelters, and in DCFS care—she came to us with a deep sense of mistrust and uncertainty. The world hadn’t shown her the care she deserved.
Since entering our program, Carmi has worked tirelessly to build life skills and reclaim her independence. With the support of her caseworker, she tackled everything from communication and personal care to job searching, scheduling, and respecting shared spaces. Beyond practical skills, Carmi also embarked on a powerful journey of self-discovery.
Identifying as a trans woman, she hadn’t always felt safe to express her true self. During her time with 360 YS, she was able to access consistent gender-affirming care, including counseling services and began expressing herself more freely in all areas of her life. She even became an active voice in the housing program’s Youth Advisory Board.
In addition to her personal growth, Carmi has maintained stable employment and began saving for her future. The housing staff are incredibly proud of her resilience, dedication, and the tremendous progress she’s made. We can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes next.
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
When Amy* joined 360 Youth Services’ Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), she was shy and unsure of herself. YAC, a substance use prevention committee for local high school students, gave her a place to belong.
Over the next couple of years, Amy found her voice and grew into a confident leader. Attending a statewide retreat was a turning point for Amy. The week was filled with workshops and inspiring speakers, and though she started out quiet, she left bursting with excitement and new ideas.
Amy couldn’t wait to bring back the vision and goals she learned to her YAC peers. Sarah, her youth prevention educator, said, “I’m so proud of Amy. Watching her grow and gain leadership skills has been such a joy.”
Because of You, Amy found her confidence. Thank you for helping her shine!
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
Josh* came to 360 Youth Services’ Cornerstone Group Home as an emergency placement. It was a big adjustment for him—the structured environment was new, and he had to get used to checking in with staff for medication, doing chores, and participating in group sessions. These sessions covered topics like cultural diversity, life skills, conflict resolution, sex education, and substance abuse prevention.
Over time, Josh adapted and began to thrive. He even decided to pursue college, a decision that came with its own challenges. Thanks to six months of aftercare services from 360 Youth Services, he navigated the transition and found his footing.
“I don’t know where I’d be without this program,” Josh shared. “I’ll always be thankful.” Terrance, the senior program manager, humbly said with a smile, “That’s our job.”
Because of you, Josh’s future is bright. Thank you for giving him the chance to succeed!
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
When Alex*, 14, first came to 360 Youth Services’ Counseling program, they were resistant to therapy. Sessions were filled with silence, fidgeting, and avoiding eye contact. Instead of diving straight into the trauma that brought Alex to 360 YS, Kristina, their clinical therapist, focused on building trust and rapport.
Over time, Alex began to open up. Together, they identified triggers and worked on creating healthier responses. Slowly but surely, Alex started to heal. Kristina shared, “Without 360 Youth Services, Alex might have become another statistic. Places like this exist to help people like Alex overcome their obstacles and share their light with the world.”
Because of you, Alex is thriving.
Thank you for helping them move forward!
*To protect privacy, the name and image are representational only.
Operation Snowball changes lives. An international program started by teens to spread positivity, 360 Youth Services has run a Snowball chapter since 1985. It has helped over 14,000 teens in School Districts 203 and 204. Snowball builds resilience, prevents drug use, and equips teens with skills to make healthy choices. The weekend retreats and leadership training give teens tools to succeed and lead, while also creating an ongoing community of support for them outside the walls of their schools.
One participant, John*, came to his first retreat as a shy freshman. He didn’t feel connected at school and had few friends. His parents, hoping to help, signed him up. At first, John stayed quiet in his small group, just listening.
By the end of the weekend, everything changed. Snowball’s welcoming environment and traditions, like the hug circle, made John feel seen and valued. “I really like it here,” he said. “I’ve gotten so many hugs!” For someone who hadn’t been hugged outside of his family in two years, this was life changing.
John kept coming back to Snowball. He eventually became a teen staff leader, running small groups like the one that helped him open up. Through Snowball, he built lifelong friendships that lasted through college and beyond. Today, John says Snowball gave him the confidence and tools to make meaningful connections wherever he goes.
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
Derek* and James* didn’t know each other when they arrived at 360 Youth Services’ Housing Program, but they were walking similar roads. Both had faced homelessness. Both were ready for change.
360 YS’ Housing Program gives young adults ages 18–24 a safe place to live in, along with guidance and support. Residents stay up to two years while working with case managers and staff on education, employment, and life skills … all with the goal of securing permanent housing and becoming independent.
At 23, Derek had been bouncing between shelters at night and the streets by day. “It was a physically and emotionally exhausting routine,” said Ezra, Housing Case Manager. “But once Derek had stable housing, he was able to focus on his future.”
Within months, Derek got a job. He enjoyed the routine of work. Then, when he found out he was going to be a dad, he found an even better job. He got married, moved into an apartment with his wife, and left the program a few months early because he was ready. “Derek was very proactive,” Ezra said. “I’m proud of him and the life he’s built for his family.”
James (22) also came from a shelter. He met with staff and set goals right away, including finding steady work. In the past, he worked mostly in retail jobs. “He’s a hands-on kind of guy,” Ezra explained. “Once we helped him update his resume and get it out there, it didn’t take long.” James landed a job using his mechanical skills, and the best part? It came with a company truck! He now has transportation, income, and a clear path forward.
“James has shown real dedication,” Ezra said. “With the support and structure in the housing program, he created the future he wanted. That’s what this program is all about … When someone is thinking more about their future rather than survival mode, I know we’ve been successful.”
Because of you, young adults like Derek and James are turning hard beginnings into hopeful futures.
*To protect privacy, the names and images are representational only.
Frank’s* journey from homelessness to educational success is truly inspiring. After enduring the harsh realities of life without stable housing for most of his youth, Frank found refuge and support through 360 Youth Services’ Emergency Shelter program.
Despite significant challenges, Frank’s determination to break the cycle of homelessness fueled his academic success. With guidance and encouragement from his case manager—who provided essential reminders, such as charging his laptop and leaving sticky notes urging him to complete his schoolwork— Frank persevered. His hard work paid off when he became the first male in his family to earn a high school diploma.
Frank’s ambition didn’t stop there. He worked wherever he could, demonstrating remarkable resilience by leaving the shelter earlier than his exit date. Recently, Frank visited 360 Youth Services to check for mail and proudly showed his former case manager his uniform from the automotive program he’d enrolled in at the College of DuPage. This path allowed him to pursue his passion for cars while opening doors to a brighter future filled with possibilities. We are immensely proud of Frank and his achievements!
*To protect privacy, name and image are representational only.
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