SYESA

Antwan Turpeau

admin — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 17:12:18 +0000

Antwan A. Turpeau is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of SYSEA. Antwan is no stranger to struggles. His mother’s diagnosis of Paranoid Schizophrenia and her battle with domestic violence caused her to abandon Antwan and his sister at the ages of 10 and 3 years old. As a result, Antwan and his younger sister became wards of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. His living arrangements varied from relatives, foster homes, and group homes.

While attending one of the most dangerous and under-privileged high schools in Chicago his sophomore year, Antwan experienced another life changing moment. His brother and good friends were shot multiple times after walking Antwan to the train station in the Englewood neighborhood. After having to adjust and re-adjust to different home environments, battles with illegal substances as a teen, and engaging in gang and criminal activities for survival, Antwan made the decision to want a better life. With that decision and support from mentors and family he was able to achieve accomplishments beyond his wildest dreams. Antwan attended Elmhurst College and participated on various athletic teams. College was by no means easy, but he was able to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. His degree allowed him to quickly gain employment by one of the largest child welfare organizations in the country. He managed a psychiatric hospital and residential treatment center for boys and girls for four years. Within that time he transitioned from in-patient services to community based work. At a very prestigious organization, Antwan learned the “three prong” approach to effectively address, change, and empower the community. The Chicago Area Project taught Antwan the importance of providing direct service, advocacy, and community organization. At this organization he managed several state funded programs, organized community events, developed programs, and engaged in grant writing and fund raising. Antwan is now a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago School of Social Work. He has received specific training in Leadership and Development in Social Service agencies. Antwan believes that one must use their life struggles as a motivation to succeed, a drive that he hopes to instill in SYESA youth.

Foster Kids are Our Kids

admin — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 05:00:16 +0000

Check out this inspiring message from Foster Kids are Our Kids, a resource for youth in foster care and foster parents. Foster Kids are Our Kids sponsors the “Where is the Love?” campaign.

Commercial requires QuickTime Player

WTLcommercial

SYESA takes San Diego, again!

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 05:00:51 +0000

For the second year in a row, Luke Gregerson hosted a fundraiser in San Diego, CA for the benefit of SYESA and locally-based Just In Time For Foster Youth. The “Cars and Casino” themed night was a successful star-studded affair, complete with a live auction and dozens of people gathered in the name of charity. Take a look at this post-event article published by UTSanDiego, and live clip of the festivites as posted on the MLB website.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/13/gregerson-fostering-good-kids/?print&page=all

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=24777781&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_24777781&v=3

Illinois General Assembly

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:00:19 +0000

On November 29, 2011, Struggling Youth Equals Successful Adults was officially recognized by the Illinois General Assembly of the House of Representatives as the first organization in Illinois to be created by three foster care alumni. The organization is proud and deeply humbled by this major achievement!

General Assembly Resolution

Events List

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:33:20 +0000

Community Events

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:46:03 +0000

Thu Vo

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:21:15 +0000

Thu serves as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). In this capacity she provides ongoing liaison efforts involving FNS organizational responsibilities that may have impact on other USDA mission areas, federal agencies or outside groups. She also plans and conducts special projects at the request of the Administrator and Chief of Staff. Prior to joining FNS in 2010, Thu served as Chief of Strategic Partnerships and Information and Special Assistant to the Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). In this role, Thu was charged with forwarding numerous strategic initiatives for the Director, including IDCFS’ role in combating human trafficking, the strengthening families initiative, the regional and statewide youth advisory boards, child welfare immigration policy, early learning initiative, and the trauma informed related initiative. She previously worked as Senior Policy Associate for the Illinois Governor’s Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy, managing a process to create immigration integration policy changes amongst a collection of key state agencies. After graduate school at Loyola University’s School of Social work in 2004, Thu worked as a clinician at the University of Chicago Hospitals Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department where she counseled at risk youth, earning her license in clinical social work over time. Thu has volunteered and engaged with various organizations. She currently serving on the board for Discover Aviation Now (DAN); she served as a strategic advisor to the Illinois Vietnamese Student Union; she served as board member for the Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago; she was a participant and/or board member for the Leadership Center for Asian Pacific Americans, Asian Human Services, and the Southeast Asian Resource Action Center. Prior to graduate school and after her undergraduate work at Calvin College, Thu worked as a community organizer in southern California, developing programs with a Latino community outside of Buena Park. She was the recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Health Fellowship in 2004 and served as a Mentor for Fellows in subsequent years.

Beth DeNicolo

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:18:41 +0000

With seven years of experience in the field of mental health and consulting, Beth DeNicolo brings considerable expertise, many valuable contacts and experience to her position as fundraising chairperson at SYESA. Notable is her involvement in various charities and the American Psychological Association. Beth holds a Bachelor Degree in Spanish and Psychology from Castleton College and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Cliff Bregstone

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:14:43 +0000

Cliff is a distinguished business man with an amazing passion for struggling youth. He recently sold a printing business in which he owned for over 40 years and started a non-for-profit organization called College Bound Opportunities. This organization offers one on one coaching and mentoring to high school students to help them prepare for college and beyond. He has been married for over 44 years, and has 3 children who have blessed Cliff and his wife with 6 grandchildren! He currently resides in Lincolnshire, IL where Cliff possesses ownership in a Fulfillment company. He has played an integral roll in the inception and continuing growth of SYESA.

Dr. Gwen Martin

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:13:18 +0000

Dr. Gwen Martin is a Clinician currently residing in Indianapolis, IN. She holds a BA in psychology, an MA in mental health counseling, an EDS in psychology, and a PhD in psychology. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with at-risk youth for the past 14 years, and specialized in developmental disabilities for the past ten. She is the coordinator of the Autism Behavioral Program for Easter Seals Crossroads in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to moving to IN, she was the Clinical Director for the Southeast Regional Autism Center in Columbus, GA. Dr. Martin has conducted numerous training courses and seminars across the United States. In addition Gwen has participated in various research projects including her most recent, where she participated as a reviewer for the National Standards Project facilitated by the National Autism Center/May Institute. SYESA is blessed to have such a polished individual such as Gwen in a leadership roll.