MHK Giveaway at Proviso West

Last week, The Firehouse Dream team visited Proviso West High School in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month for another Mental Health Kit giveaway. We were able to hand out 201 Mental Health Kits to students! We also had a table set in the cafeteria for students to come up and get information about available resources and programming. Students engaged with the kits, asked questions, and showed interest in the intention behind the items inside the kits, which are tools centered around emotional well-being, grounding, reflection, and self-care.

This giveaway completed our goal of distributing 500 Mental Health Kits throughout May! Our giveaways continue to create opportunities to support mental health, increase access to resources, and strengthen community and connection. Thank you to Proviso West High School for welcoming us once again and supporting their students and their mental health within the community.

PEHS Health Fair | 2025

We are so excited to have handed out Mental Health Kits at Proviso East’s health fair last week! Overall, we gave away 321 kits at this Health Fair. Additionally, it was great to see our community partners and meet new ones! This event is impactful for students and community organizations as well. Thank you to Loyola’s School-Based Health Center for inviting us!

PMSA Mental Health Club | Vulnerability

Chris of The Nehemiah Community Project led the PMSA students through a workshop about vulnerability, First, the group started off with an icebreaker where they used a ball that had written questions to choose from. The students passed it to one another for one full turn around the circle. Chris then started to ask the students about what they previously thought about being vulnerable. The students shared how they practice being vulnerable with friends and how maybe they can invite more vulnerability into their friendships.

Thank you, Chris and the students, for another great conversation.

Proviso East Calm Room | Diamond Painting

Liz, our Program Assistant at The Firehouse Dream, is at Proviso East’s Calm Room every Friday for the remainder of the 24/25 school year. Last Friday, Liz took some diamond painting canvas to the students at Proviso East. The students are invited for their lunch period to come get creative with their peers. There is still time to visit the Calm Room every Friday for the rest of the semester.

PMSA Mental Health Club | Art as Therapy with Clay!

Before Thanksgiving break, our Program Assistant, Liz, visited PMSA’s Mental Health Club. At this club meeting, the students made clay figures. They used this workshop as art as therapy to help boost self-care before the break! Thank you students and Ms. Gart for showing up, we are grateful for the relationships we have built and continue to move forward with.