About LEAD

Mission Statement

Making a difference in the community...

LEAD™ supports parents and other adults shaping the future of our youth and is dedicated to promoting healthy family relationships and preventing alcohol, tobacco, drug use, and other risky behavior by youth.

LEAD's goals' include...

• EMPOWERING parents with knowledge and skills.
• RAISING awareness of the importance of strong families in the prevention of risky behavior.
• ENCOURAGING the community to UNITE against underage drinking and other risky behavior.

We make this happen through...

• EDUCATING parents and community leaders through interactive workshops, expert speakers, book discussions, networking opportunities and disseminating relevant, timely information.
• COLLABORATING with schools, youth & civic groups and others.
• CALLING TO ACTION all parents and community members to SpeakUp! through media campaigns and fact based resources. The SpeakUp! Prevention Coalition is part of LEAD. For more information, visit www.SpeakUpLFLB.com

LEAD's work in the community...

• PRESENT workshops focusing on core parenting skills and issues facing our families today. Topics include teen risky behaviors, cyberspace, social and emotional wellness, communicating & setting boundaries.
• CREATED the award-winning "Our Stories" DVD, viewed by over 2,000 parents and teens and added to the Lake Forest High School Health Department curriculum. (Other local high schools are using the DVD)
• DEVELOPED & DISTRIBUTED prevention materials across Lake County to educate ALL on the harmful effects of underage drinking.

Supporters for LEAD

• Volunteers
• In-kind Donations
• Financial Supporters
• Collaborative Partners
• SpeakUp! Coalition Members

How We Fund What We Do...

• Individual & Private Foundations
• Local Government & Schools
• Churches & Civic Groups
• Other income

Please support LEAD. DONATE NOW.

The LEAD staff includes:
Betty Frank Bailey, Executive Director LEAD and Speak Up Prevention Coalition
Karen Cunningham, Program Director
Stephanie Cook, Speak Up Coalition
Vicki Karfias-Douvlis, Development Director
Wendy Cullitan, Communications Manager
Colette Woidat also assists LEAD with bookkeeping and taxes.

Board of Directors
Denise Andresen, Director
Mike Borkowski, Director
Heather Hale, Board President
Ellen Leemputte, Director
Sue Lyman, Vice President
Steve Malin, Treasurer
Kathy O'Hara, Director
Deborahanne Reimer, Secretary
Carl Scichili, Director
Skoo Walker, Director

History
The Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Parent Council was formed in October 1986, following a series of events and community forums which rallied residents to address mounting concerns regarding our local teens, including drinking and other drug use, depression, suicide and very high levels of stress. The social acceptability of teen drinking among local adults was also highlighted as a concern. The LF/LB Parent Council’s goal was to bring the parent leaders from all local school parent/teacher associations together to raise awareness of these issues, to increase coordination in prevention efforts among parents and across community groups, and to provide educational resources to parents. Key initiatives coordinated by members of the Parent Council included Red Ribbon Week, Just Say No campaigns, and the Safe Homes Pledge.

The Parent Council evolved into LEAD (Linking Efforts Against Drugs) in 1991 and expanded its work with local schools, parent groups, law enforcement, businesses, CROYA, and other community partners to support and coordinate programs for awareness and prevention of alcohol and drug use and other risky behavior by youth. LEAD incorporated as a 501(c) 3 organization in 1996 and remained a 100% volunteer run until hiring its first Executive Director in the late 1990’s. To this day, LEAD’s mission continues to focus on providing parent education and preventing substance abuse and other risky behavior by youth. Programs include support for parents to develop strong families and healthy youth in grades pre-k through 12.

LEAD serves Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Knollwood, and the surrounding communities.

LEAD is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with offices at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045