The Next Network

05/28/2026

A recent news report shared that in 1 in 4 Americans occasionally skips meals due to rising food costs. In addition, another study from the Federal Reserve Bank found that 1 out of 10 households don't have enough food.

Tonight we served 120 meals in less than 25 minutes. The people in line ranged from elderly individuals, people just trying to get by until their next paycheck, and people that you would more than likely avoid if you saw them. But hunger doesn't discriminate and neither do we.

We are proud to serve our community. It costs nothing to be kind and show compassion. Sometimes people just need a smile, a meal, and a reminder that they're not alone.

05/27/2026

Italian chicken tonight

05/26/2026

💚 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 💚

📖 Week 4: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽

Our final article for the month of May is featured in today's The Journal-News. We encourage you to thoughtfully consider how you can make a positive impact. If you are interested in becoming more involved with The Next Network, please reach out to our CEO Jon Magnuson or one of the board members: Kate Wedekind, Tristan Morton, Jodi Reynolds, Kaitlyn Fath, Tim Fogle, Dawn Young and Wayne Wedekind.

Together we can create a safe community for everyone affected by mental health.

05/21/2026

Topper Treats, Hillsboro High School’s student‑run business operated by Mrs. Kaculi’s Business Management class, closed out the year with an incredible accomplishment: a $4,500 donation to Haven Home of Hope.

This donation was made possible through the support of HHS staff members who served as “investors” in the business. At the end of the year, those investors voted on which local organization should receive the profits, and Haven Home of Hope was selected as this year’s recipient.

Throughout the year, students in Mrs. Kaculi’s class learned hands‑on skills in budgeting, pricing, inventory management, and marketing while running Topper Treats each school day. They made real business decisions, solved real problems, and experienced what it means to operate a business from start to finish. Most importantly, they learned the value of giving back to the community.

Topper Treats would not be possible without the support of our staff investors. Their encouragement and participation helped make this project real and meaningful for the students.

Thank you to everyone who supported our students and helped them turn a classroom project into something that truly makes a difference!

05/20/2026

Bbq meatballs tonight served with chips, fruit cups and cookies.
Tonight @5

05/18/2026

💚 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! 💚

Throughout the month, our Executive Director, Jon, has been writing a series of weekly articles in The Journal-News, dedicated to bringing vital awareness to mental health.

A new article drops every single Monday, and we want to make sure you haven't missed a word! Educating ourselves is the first step toward building a more supportive community. 🧠✨

Take a few minutes today to catch up on Jon’s powerful articles from the last three weeks:

📖 Week 1: “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀”
📖 Week 2: "𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲"
📖 Week 3: "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼"

Be sure to check back next Monday for his final installment. Let’s keep reading, keep learning, and keep prioritizing our mental well-being together.

👇 We want to hear from you! Which article resonated with you the most? Share your thoughts, reflections, or takeaways in the comments below!

05/16/2026

💚Mental Health Matters 💚

What an incredible night! Last night, the community came together in a massive wave of support for our mental health awareness walk, organized by The Next Network employees.
Our goal was to smash the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness, and your response was absolutely phenomenal. Over 100 people from all across the county showed up to walk with us! The Litchfield Main Street and Route 16 were filled with hope, strength, and a sea of green—the color symbolizing emotional support for those affected by mental health conditions.
We were also honored to have Litchfield Mayor Jacob Fleming join us as we walked approximately one mile from our office, carrying signs to honor, support, and remember loved ones.
Beyond the walk, participants connected with local mental health resource agencies, captured memories at our photo booth, and shared a powerful, deeply moving moment of silence during our candlelight vigil. We stood together to honor those still battling and remember those we have lost.

💚An Extra Dose of Kindness 💚

Our bake sale was a massive success, raising over $600 for our fellow Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), Jeremy Uchtman! Jeremy is currently battling lymphoma. While he continues to work at the Litchfield KFC, chemotherapy side effects have forced him to cut his hours significantly. Every single treat you bought directly helps support him during this fight.
Thank you to everyone who walked, donated, volunteered, and showed up. Together, we are proving that no one has to walk alone.

Check out some highlights from the night below! 👇

05/15/2026

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”~ Coretta Scott King
Thank you HSHS St. Francis Hospital for all the support for The Breaking Bread free meal program.

We are proud to support The Next Network in helping fight local food insecurity through their Breaking Bread program. Free drive-thru meals are available every Wednesday starting at 5 p.m. at Next Network – 402 E. Edwards St., Litchfield. Anyone in need is welcome, no questions asked.

Giving back to our community means so much to our colleagues, and we’re proud to share that about 75% of the volunteers each week at Breaking Bread are our colleagues. ❤ Additionally, on the fifth Wednesday of each month in 2026 (four times this year), our hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services team will also prepare, deliver and help distribute the meal.

Since expanding to weekly meals in late 2025, Breaking Bread has provided more than 5,000 meals to neighbors in need.

📌Want to help? Donate or volunteer: next-network.co/give-back
📌Community organizations interested in requesting support from St. Francis Hospital can request here: hshs.org/request-for-support

05/15/2026

We are deeply grateful to the business management students and faculty at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, IL for their generous donation to Haven Home of Hope. Your support is a powerful catalyst for positive change, enabling us to continue providing vital mental health and substance use disorder resources to our community and keep the doors of Haven Home open for those who need it most. Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro, IL
Haven Home

05/15/2026

Tomorrow is our Mental Health Awareness Walk and our bake sale. Come get some amazing food as well from Rise Food Truck . Their Italian Beef is amazing and don't get me started about their homemade cheese sauce. We want to see you all there.

Tomorrow we are partnering with The Next Network for their Mental Health Awareness Walk. Come get some amazing food and learn about an amazing cause. Window opens at 5:30 p.m.