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Thriving together: Hustle for Health 5K helps Kenneth Young Center serve community

For the last 50 years, Kenneth Young Center in Elk Grove Village has been a helping hand for residents in the Northwest suburbs.

Whether it's offering mental health support for all ages, empowerment programs for teens or taking care of area seniors and their caregivers, the center has been a life-changing force for many.

Help the center celebrate its anniversary milestone and raise money to keep these vital services going during the 20th annual Hustle for Health 5K, which takes place both in-person and virtually this year.

Virtually, participants can walk or run a 5K now until June 26 anywhere they like. The in-person event will take place Saturday, June 26, with two waves, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., in Grove 27 of Busse Woods.

Kate Garbarek, director of development and communications with Kenneth Young Center, shares more information about what the center does for the community and the upcoming fundraiser.

Q: What is Kenneth Young Center? Give a brief overview of what the organization does and whom you serve.

A: Kenneth Young Center is a community nonprofit focused on mental health services, youth empowerment programs, and support services for older adults.

As our vision statement says, we believe "Together We Thrive." Our programs focus on connecting clients with personalized, compassionate care to meet life's challenges and navigate the aging process, engaging our community through more than 35 programs for clients across the age spectrum.

We welcome anyone to receive services at KYC and offer sliding-scale fees for low-income families to access affordable care when they need us most.

Q: Where do the majority of your donations come from?

A: The majority of our donations come from our community - neighbors who invest in the health of our broader community to ensure everyone has access to the support they need to thrive.

Q: How many people per year do you serve?

A: During the pandemic, we saw significant growth in many of our programs, and we expect that growth to continue. In a typical year, we support about 15,000 individuals and families from across the Northwest suburbs.

Q: What are some of your programs?

A: KYC provides outpatient therapy to individuals, couples, and families seeking care. We also have community-based services for adults living with serious mental illness, many focusing on supporting clients as they transition from institutional environments back into the community.

On the nonclinical side of our work, we offer empowerment programs for youth, including alcohol and drug prevention programs, our LGBTQ+ Center, positive youth development, and substance use recovery services for people of all ages.

Lastly, our senior services team provides in-home care, including Meals on Wheels, benefits counseling, caregiver support, care coordination, and more to ensure older adults have the resources they need to remain thriving in our community.

Q: Tell us about the Hustle for Health 5K. How does it work?

A: In addition to celebrating our 50th anniversary as an agency, this year's Hustle for Health marks our 20th year of walking together.

The goal this year is to raise $100,000.

We'll gather in Busse Woods at Grove 27, which is visible from Arlington Heights Road, just south of Higgins, in two waves at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to run or walk the 5K together, remaining socially distant while celebrating the work that we do together every day of the year.

Participants must register on our website, give.kennethyoung.org/2021, and have the opportunity to earn prizes, build teams to walk with, and even create their own "hustle" by supporting our community in a way that's meaningful to them.

We've had participants choose to hustle virtually, walking on a path near their home (and across the country!), or doing something else as a personal celebration, like participating in a mindfulness activity for mental health, planting a garden, donating blood at a local facility, or so much more.

We love the chance to walk with our supporters, but we're also really proud of the many ways our community chooses to hustle for KYC.

There is no cost to participate, although there is a $50 fundraising requirement to receive an event T-shirt. We want our celebrations to be open to the community, regardless of the ability to make a donation. This is part of our commitment to our vision that "Together We Thrive."

Q: How can people participate?

A: Get registered at give.kennethyoung.org/2021 and you'll receive coaching emails as you prepare for the event. We also share information on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, so like, follow, and share as we spread awareness about our community's health through this event!

Q: How can readers help if they can't participate in the event?

A: Virtual participants can complete their own hustle any time between now and June 26, sending us a selfie of their participation to photos@kennethyoung.org. We pull all of the photos together for our event video to share on social media (Find us on Facebook @KennethYoungCenter, Twitter @KYC_egv, and Instagram @KYC_egv) to celebrate the many ways people choose to participate.

Readers can also make a gift of any size on our website, give.kennethyoung.org/2021, to show their support of our work and programs.

Q: What else would you like readers to know?

A: Please know that all are welcome at KYC. We're honored by the support our community has shown us over the last 50 years, and look forward to the next 50 as we continue to grow to serve the needs of our neighbors.

From prevention programs to 24/7 crisis support, our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure clients get the support they need to live their best lives.

Call us any time at (847) 524-8800.

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Hustle for Health 5K

Who: Benefits Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Road, Elk Grove Village

When: Two waves in-person at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, June 26

Where: In-person, Grove 27, Busse Woods, off Arlington Heights Road, just south of Higgins in Elk Grove Village; virtually, anywhere you want to run or walk

Cost: Free; $50 donation for a T-shirt

Registration: give.kennethyoung.org/2021

Kenneth Young Center Crisis Team dressed as "Sheroes" during the 2019 Hustle for Health 5K. This year's fundraising goal is $100,000. Join the center teams at Busse Woods June 26 for the fundraiser. Courtesy of Mike Beck
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