Family Counseling Service

09/04/2026

Proud moment for our team! 🎉 Kyle Jennings, MS, School-Based Program Manager here at Family Counseling Service, was featured in a Chicago Tribune column this week on social media and teen mental health.

In her column, reporter Denise Crosby spoke with Kyle about the mental health toll these platforms take on young people. Over his 12 year career, Kyle has consistently seen social apps play a major role in the struggles kids face. He explained that every notification and every "like" triggers a hit of dopamine, creating a cycle of anticipation and reward that's hard for a developing brain to resist. His team fielded hundreds of crisis calls from schools across southern Kane and Kendall counties last year, and a recurring pattern was the child, in his words, "up until one in the morning messaging someone on Facebook Messenger, Snapchat or Discord," instead of getting the sleep they need. Kyle also pointed out that simply taking a phone away without other coping tools in place, like routines, hobbies, or family support, doesn't actually solve the problem. 💙

Full column here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/30/column-meta-settlement-important-step-toward-a-social-media-reckoning

08/28/2026

Life gets hard sometimes, and that's okay. Whether it's stress at home, a friendship falling apart, or just the weight of growing up, teens and young adults deserve real tools to cope. 💙

Our latest blog shares simple, doable habits like moving your body, expressing your feelings, and leaning on people you trust. No perfection required, just small steps.

Read it here: https://buff.ly/rFHJKx4

08/19/2026

Big news from FCS!

After 16 incredible years, Dr. Eric Ward will be stepping down as our Executive Director, with his last day on September 30. Taking the helm as our next Executive Director is Jason Andrade, MS, LCPC, who has spent years working side by side with Eric to prepare for this moment.

Eric and Jason's story goes back 25 years, to when they worked together doing crisis intervention work early in their careers. It's a friendship and partnership that's shaped so much of what FCS is today.

We're grateful for everything Eric has built, and excited for what's ahead under Jason's leadership. Read the full announcement on our blog: https://buff.ly/dIFBjLZ

08/14/2026

What a great time at North Aurora Days last weekend! 🎉 Our team loved connecting with the community, meeting new faces, and celebrating together under the fireworks. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello!

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers who made it happen: Danielle, Angelica, Dana, Trinette, and Dymond. We couldn't do it without you! 💙

08/12/2026

Last week, we had a great time sponsoring National Night Out in Yorkville! 🚨

Thank you to the Yorkville Police Department and United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department for hosting such a fun community event, and to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hi. A special thank you to Theresa and Danielle on our team for representing FCS and spending the evening connecting with families in the community.

We love being part of nights like this. 💙

08/08/2026

TONIGHT August 8th 5-11pm 🌟

Come visit the FCS team at the sponsor booths at North Aurora Days at Riverfront Park!

Learn more at https://www.northauroradays.org/

🔵🟠🟤𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 🔵🟠🟤

North Aurora Days takes place on Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8, with all main events at North Aurora Riverfront Park (25 East State Street). Admission and all attractions and events are 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 for the community to enjoy! A full lineup of events with details along with all maps can be found at www.northauroradays.org.

🔵 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒🔵
🎸Whiskey Road (Friday, August 7, 5:30-7:30pm): Whiskey Road has been bringing their unique blend of rock and country to stages throughout the Midwest since 1999. Dubbed “Crossroads” rock, Whiskey Road combines the best Classic, Southern, and Country rock hits and adds their special blend of vocal harmonies and musical prowess to create a truly special and entertaining set of music.

🎵Radio Gaga (Friday, August 7, 8:30-11pm): Radio Gaga is a high-octane, one-of-a-kind theatrical production that brings together the music of two of the world’s most revolutionary icons: Lady Gaga and Freddie Mercury. This innovative show features all the hits of Queen and Lady Gaga, delivered with a blend of unmatched showmanship and spectacular stage presence.

🎶28 Days (Saturday, August 8, 5:30-7:30pm): Formed in 2006, 28 Days emerged as a dynamic force in the Midwest music scene, captivating audiences with their high-energy performances and diverse repertoire. This four-piece cover band has become synonymous with electrifying live shows and a commitment to delivering an unforgettable musical experience.

😎Bon Journeyed (Saturday, August 8, 8:30-11pm): Bon Journeyed isn’t just a band; it’s a musical journey through some of the most iconic rock anthems of all time. From the soaring highs of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” to the anthemic power of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bon Journeyed delivers a high-energy, authentic rock experience that leaves audiences craving more.

🟠 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊🟠
🎪Sponsorship Tables (Friday and Saturday 5-11pm)
🎈Face Painting and Balloon Art (Friday and Saturday 5-9pm)
🛝Mechanical Bull, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Moon Jump & Giant Slide (Friday and Saturday from 5-10/9:30pm)
🧩Community Games and Crafts with Messenger Public Library and Crossway Fox Valley (Friday and Saturday 5-9pm)
🐇Petting Zoo (Friday and Saturday 6pm-9pm)
🎆Fireworks (Saturday ~9:40pm)
🍦Ice Cream Eating Contest (Saturday 5pm, registration required)

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🟠 Shoutout to our Diamond Sponsors -- Red Roof, T-Mobile and Geneva Construction Company -- and Platinum Sponsors -- Little Pops NY Pizzeria North Aurora, Fox Valley Park District, Oberweis, North Aurora Lions Club, Pediatric Health Associates - PHA, Gerald Subaru of North Aurora, and Woodman's - North Aurora, IL -- whose sponsorships make events like these possible! 🔵
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🟤𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 🟤
All take place on Saturday, August 8 unless otherwise noted.
💰Community Garage Sale: August 7 - August 8
⚾Softball Tournament (Fearn Park): 8am-12pm
🎣Fishing Derby (Willow Lake Park): Takes place 8-9:30am
🚒Touch-a-Truck (Jewel Middle School): Check out tons of awesome trucks and vehicles from 10am-1pm! Child ID cards and child vision screenings too! 10-10:30am is sensory hour!

🔵𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐒 🔵
🦞 Happy Lobster Food Truck: Lobster rolls, sandwiches, grilled cheese and more!
🍋 My Funnel: Funnel cakes, ice cream and lemon shake-ups!
🍕 Kissed By Fire: Woodfire pizza and BBQ!
🌭 DillaDawgs: Gourmet style hot dogs and quesadillas!
🥙 Taste Greek: Delicious Greek food from gyros and skewers to potatoes and pita to baklava!
🌮 Dulce Tentaciones Mexicanas: Authentic Mexican food, taco, tortas, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, popsicles, yogurt and aguas frescas!
🥗 Mr. Hibachi Express: Fresh hibachi meals daily — steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice & more!

🟠𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐇𝐎𝐋🟠
𝙉𝙊 𝙊𝙐𝙏𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝘼𝙇𝘾𝙊𝙃𝙊𝙇 𝙄𝙎 𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙊𝙒𝙀𝘿! The North Aurora Lions Club will be running the Beer Tent and will have a variety of beers, wines and liquor options. Please support the Lions Club and DO NOT bring in your own alcohol.

🔵𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆🔵
Please find all information about parking (including maps) here: https://www.northauroradays.org/parking/

🟤 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐒 🟤
We could not make North Aurora Days the fantastic community event it is without the generous help of our sponsors! Please find all of our sponsors here (https://www.northauroradays.org/sponsorships/2026-sponsors/) and you can also visit participating sponsorship booths from 5pm - 11pm at North Aurora Riverfront Park during the event!

🟠 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒🟠
In an effort to make sure all of our residents and the North Aurora community have a safe and fun time at North Aurora Days 2026, please be advised that North Aurora Police officers at their discretion may check bags, coolers, carry-in items, etc. The event will also be monitored by drone. The purpose will be for real-time monitoring (not recording) of participant safety. The drone will be flown by a certified operator and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration safety regulations.

North Aurora Police officers will be stationed throughout the event at North Aurora Riverfront Park and also at the Village tent set up near Village Hall (where there will also be first aid and North Aurora Fire District personnel on hand for medical matters)

08/04/2026

Join us TONIGHT at Yorkville's National Night out!

United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department
Yorkville Police Department

🌟✨ A GALAXY OF FAMILY FUN AWAITS! ✨🌟

Join us for an unforgettable evening of FREE family fun at National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, from 5:30-7:30pm at Riemenschneider Park!

Get ready to step into a galaxy far, far away with interactive activities for all ages, including:

⭐ Meet Rey & Kylo Ren and snap an out-of-this-world photo from 5:30-7:00pm!
⚔️ Build Your Own Light Saber (while supplies last) and take part in Light Saber Training at 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00pm.
💰 Help track down the Resistance in Boba Fett's Bounty scavenger hunt.
💚 Test your skills in Yoda's Training Obstacle Course and prove you're ready to become a Jedi.
🚀 Bounce to new heights in the Galactic Bounce House!

Bring the whole family and celebrate National Night Out with an evening of adventure, imagination, and community fun alongside the Yorkville Police Department.

Learn more about all the activities at: https://bit.ly/YPRDNNO

07/31/2026

Tuesday is National Night Out in Yorkville! 🚨👮

Family Counseling Service is proud to sponsor this fun, family friendly community event hosted by the Yorkville Police Department. Stop by Riemenschneider Park from 5:30-7:30pm for games, crafts, a splash pad, and more!

Come say hello to our FCS team at our booth! 👋

🕠 Tuesday, August 4th, 5:30-7:30pm
📍 Riemenschneider Park, 600 Hayden Dr, Yorkville


United City of Yorkville

07/28/2026

Back-to-school season is just around the corner. 🎒 For a lot of kids and families, that comes with anxiety, nerves, and big feelings about change.

FCS offers school-based counseling in West Aurora, East Aurora, and Batavia school districts, plus individual and family therapy for students of all ages. We're here to help your family feel ready.

📞 630-844-2662 | aurorafcs.org

07/15/2026

🐾 Mark your calendars! Our friends at Adc4you are hosting Unleash the Love, a pet adoption event in partnership with Anderson Humane, and we're so happy to help spread the word.

📅 Saturday, August 1, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
📍 1351 Aucutt Road, Montgomery, IL 60538

About 40 dogs and 20 cats will be there looking for their forever homes. Every pet is microchipped, spayed or neutered, and up to date on vaccinations, so bringing one home is simple.

Bring your family and stop by to meet some very good boys and girls. 🐶🐱