Community Education and Outreach
Pillars Community Health, we aim to heal, care, and educate. To that end, we regularly present to and attend events in the community and consult with individuals and families on a variety of topics.
Following are the standard presentations and classes offered by Pillars Community Health. If you are seeking a presentation or topic that is not listed here, please reach out, as we can often tailor presentations to meet audience needs.
Health Center Classes
Nutrition Classes
Our nutritionists regularly offer nutrition classes, including one-on-one sessions and group classes. Topics include nutrition for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as balanced meals for kids. Classes are available in both English and Spanish.
Staff are available throughout the year to attend resource fairs or provide presentations at no cost.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Education and Outreach
Pillars Community Health regularly provides domestic violence outreach. Presentations include “Healthy Teen Relationships;” “In Her Shoes,” an interactive simulation in which participants can experience barriers a survivor may encounter in the journey to leave an abusive relationship; and “Smack’d” for teens or adults. “Smack’d” involves a staff member and a domestic violence survivor discussing the issue; this presentation is regularly provided to hospitals, schools, and churches, among other venues.
For cosmetology professionals, Pillars Community Health is available to provide training (with CEs) to help them recognize the signs of abuse and to provide support, resources, and assistance to clients whoa re survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We are a licensed IDFPR CE sponsor (License No. 290.000032).
Pillars Community Health is also available to present on topics such as “Sexual Health,” “Stop Porn Culture,” “Stalking Awareness,” “Sexual Assault Awareness,” and “Child Abuse Awareness.”
Behavioral Health/Family Education and Outreach
Mental Illness
Pillars Community Health is available to present “Erase Crazy,” which promotes anti-stigma as it relates to mental health. Find additional presentations in the next section below.
Parenting and Mental Health Prevention
Pillars Community Health can offer Parent Cafes, with topics appropriate for parents of children ages 0-8.
Childhood Grief
Our Buddy’s Place team is available to make presentations regarding childhood bereavement.
Mental Health First Aid
These fantastic 8-hour courses help attendees learn how to address a mental health crisis in the community, from panic attacks to suicidal ideation. Trainings are currently being co-coordinated by NAMI DuPage. Click here to find a calendar of upcoming trainings.
Other Mental Health Topics
Our partner NAMI Metro Suburban offers free mental health education each month at the Community Wellness Center in La Grange (in the same building as The Living Room).