Southern Illinois Youth Empowerment Network

10/28/2026

3rd Annual Cops and Coats Winter Coat Drive -

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is proud to host our 3rd Annual Winter Coat Drive, and we are once again asking our community partners and residents to help us provide new winter coats to students in our local schools.

This year, we are pleased to partner with Franklin County OEMC, Pheasant Hollow Winery, Southern Illinois Youth Empowerment Network, and the Franklin-Williamson ROSC Council to provide additional drop-off locations throughout our community.

We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and support, and we ask our other community partners to join us in this important effort by helping us collect new winter coats for local students.

Many families throughout our region face financial challenges, and something as simple as a warm winter coat can make a tremendous difference. Your donation can help provide warmth, comfort, confidence, and a smile to a young student during the cold winter months.

We are accepting new winter coats in children’s X-Small through adult Large.

Over the first two years of this program, more than 400 winter coats were provided to local students — and that would not have been possible without the generosity of our community.

Please consider supporting the Cops & Coats program.
New coats may be dropped off at any of the listed collection locations.

E-commerce orders may also be shipped directly to one of the participating drop-off locations.

Every coat makes a difference. Together, we can help make sure that local students have a warm coat this winter.

Thank you for your continued support of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and, most importantly, the children and families of our communities. The coat drive runs through December 1st.

Sheriff Kyle Bacon

10/28/2026

🎓✨ ROE #21 Career Fair! ✨🎓

What a great day connecting with hundreds of Southern Illinois seniors as they explore their future career paths and the possibilities ahead of them! 🙌

Our SIYEN table stayed busy as we shared who we are, what we do, and WHY our work matters. We had some amazing conversations with these young people, heard their thoughts and experiences, and even received feedback from students about their own school experiences and how they could benefit from programs like SIYEN!

These conversations remind us why it is so important to show up, listen to our youth, and make sure they know there are people and programs in their communities ready to support them.

At SIYEN, we believe every young person deserves to be heard, supported, and empowered. Today was another great reminder that when we meet youth where they are, we open the door to meaningful conversations and new possibilities!

A big thank-you to ROE #21 and all the community partners who helped make today possible. The future of Southern Illinois is bright, and we are proud to be part of empowering the next generation! 🌟

10/28/2026

❤️❤️ Red Ribbon Week with SIYEN! ❤️❤️

Today, our SIYEN YES staff visited Thompsonville to work with our elementary students, presenting to 5 different classes from kindergarten through 5th grade! 🎉

Our presentations focused on kindness, bullying, and being a superhero in someone else's life! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️ We talked with students about the importance of treating others with kindness, standing up against bullying, and understanding how our words and actions can impact the people around us.

✨ You don't have to wear a cape to be a superhero! Sometimes, being a superhero means including someone who feels left out, standing up for a friend, offering a kind word, or choosing to be kind when it's not the easiest choice.

During Red Ribbon Week, we're reminding our youth that prevention starts with the little things we do every day. Building a safer, healthier community starts with teaching our kids that kindness matters, our choices matter, and EVERYONE has the power to make a difference! ❤️

A big thank-you to Thompsonville for welcoming SIYEN and allowing us to spend the day with your students!

SIYEN — Building, Amplifying, Supporting, and Empowering Youth! 💛🩵

10/28/2026

Share,share ,share !!

Please share and consider partnering with us. Each year, nearly 200 local school age children have been served by this program.

10/28/2026

🌟 SIYEN IS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY! 🌟

Today, SIYEN is out at The Pavilion for the ROE #21 Career Fair! 🙌

Look at all these amazing businesses and community partners coming together for one important reason: to help our high school students from across the region explore the incredible career opportunities available right here in Southern Illinois! 👏❤️

From discovering new interests to learning about future career paths, events like this help our youth see the possibilities ahead of them and connect with the people who can help them get there!

It takes a community to build a future, and when we invest in our youth, we invest in the future of Southern Illinois! 💪✨

10/28/2026

❤️🎗️ RED RIBBON WEEK | DAY 4 🎗️❤️

Today, SIYEN is reminding our youth that YOUR FUTURE IS WORTH PROTECTING! 💪✨

Every choice we make helps shape our future. Choose healthy habits, surround yourself with positive influences, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength! ❤️

At SIYEN, we're committed to empowering our youth to make healthy choices, build confidence, and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. 🌟

🎗️ Be strong. Be healthy. Be drug-free.

10/27/2026

🎃👻 SIYEN was out at the Rend Lake Visitors Center today for their Trunk or Treat event! 🍬🧡

We had a great time connecting with our community, sharing resources, and enjoying the fun with so many amazing families! Just look at all those people coming together! 🙌

This is what it’s all about! Community partnerships make a difference. When we come together, share resources, and show up for our families, we build stronger communities and create more opportunities to support our youth.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out, participated, and helped make this event a success! We are grateful to be part of a community that shows up for one another. 💛🩵

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