Illinois Save-A-Child's Life Network Hosts Panel Discussion

Submitted by Hinsdale Township High School District 86.

Hinsdale Township High School District 86, in conjunction with Hinsdale Central High School and The Community House, will present a panel discussion hosted by The Illinois Save-A-Child’s Life Network. The discussion will focus on substance abuse prevention and treatment resources and social services available to students and families through Hinsdale Central High School and local police departments. All are invited to attend the discussion to be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3 at The Community House.

The panel will feature Hinsdale Central Principal Dr. Mark Kolkman, Hinsdale Central Director of Deans Kimm Dever, Hinsdale Central Social Worker Mike McMahon, Student Resource Officer Mark Keller from the Hinsdale Police Department and Support Services Officer Erica Huff from the Oak Brook Police Department. The panel discussion will be followed by small group discussions to suggest solutions and share ideas.

“We are glad to join with two great organizations, The Save-A-Child’s Life Network and The Community House, along with local law enforcement and to partner with parents in helping kids make good choices,” said Dr. Kolkman. “We want our school to be a safe, supportive environment not just for learning but for healthy emotional development. Informing parents of all the resources available and engaging in enlightening discussions about how best to guide and assist our youth as they navigate the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood are topics every bit as important as academics in high school.”

“The primary purpose of our program is to educate parents, students and educators about the pernicious destruction of drugs and alcohol,” said Mario Vescovi, president and founder of The Illinois Save-A-Child’s Life Network. “Moving forward with my colleagues Anna Weselak and Lloyd O’Brien, we would like to add more topics such as bullying, self-esteem, stress and mental health. We want to form support groups for parents and with parents’ input so we can address the issues that parents are facing. By providing first-hand knowledge with peer-on-peer presentations that resonate, we are proactive not reactive in engaging parents in these difficult areas, where they have often felt they had nowhere to turn.”

Mr. Vescovi continued, “Professionals with expertise in these areas can reach parents, students and educators in realistic ways to reduce drug abuse, that’s our first goal. We want to be a resource, a complete provider to assist parents in finding the proper help and therapy when these challenges arise. We’re focused and we’re on the right track, we can really make a big difference for our community”