Resilient

10/09/2026

The numbers behind the mission …🍽️

A meal is more than a meal. It can be a welcome. A conversation. A place at the table. A reminder that you matter. And the numbers help tell the story.

🍽️ Roughly 600 meals served annually—and growing each month.

🤝 Roughly a dozen volunteers who help make it happen, on a rotating basis.

📅 12 community meals hosted a year

But there’s another number worth knowing:

10.5%

That’s the estimated food-insecurity rate in DuPage County in 2024, according to Impact DuPage’s data dashboard.

Food insecurity affects our neighbors, families, children, and communities.

That’s why we gather around a table.

At Resilient, our Community Meal is about meeting a practical need while creating something just as important: connection.

Because impact isn’t always measured in dollars.

Sometimes, it’s measured in meals served, conversations shared, volunteers showing up, and neighbors knowing they have a place at the table.

That’s the number behind the mission. ❤️

Join us Thursday, October 15!
Dinner begins at 5:00pm
Speaker begins at 5:30pm
1S415 Summit Avenue, Oakbrook Terrace

We look forward to seeing you there!

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

Who Is Resilient?

You may have heard our name. But what exactly is Resilient—and why are we here?

Let’s break it down.

WHO:

Board members, staff, volunteers, students, families, community partners—and YOU.

Resilient is a community effort. We believe lasting change happens when people walk alongside one another.

WHAT:

We create opportunities for people to build confidence, skills, connections, and a path toward greater self-sufficiency.

Through programs like Upstart, Explorations, and our Community Meal, we meet people where they are and help create opportunities for what comes next.

WHY:

Because circumstances don’t have to define someone’s future.

We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, develop practical skills, build meaningful relationships, and see a future filled with possibility.

WHEN:

When there is a need. When a student needs encouragement. When a young person needs a pathway toward a career. When a neighbor needs a meal and a place to connect.

And every month, every cohort, and every conversation gives us another opportunity to show up for the community.

HOW:

By walking alongside people. Through mentoring. Through job-readiness training. Through hands-on learning. Through shared meals. Through volunteers who give their time.

And through a community that believes people can flourish when they have opportunity and support.

That’s Resilient. Not just one program. Not just one person.

A community helping people become more resilient.

09/22/2026

Journey with Us Through Upstart

On Wednesday, September 16, we had 13 students show up for Upstart ready to learn, grow, and take the next step toward their future.

These participants range in age from 17-25 years old and come from locations spanning across the western suburbs and into Chicago.

In the next 12 weeks, these students will go on a journey …
• Weekly they will have access to reading comprehension, mechanical reasoning, and math lessons along with other tutoring to prepare for the apprenticeship exam.
• Weekly they will also have access to character development, interview preparation, and other soft skills to prepare for the workplace.
• Speakers are brought in often to help identify what a day in the life looks like in different trades.
• Once during the session, students will participate in a hands-on evening, where students will be able to work together to build something.
• Once during the session, they will also go on a full-day field trip to visit multiple contractor jobsites.
• Finally, at the conclusion of the program, the students will patriciate in an interview night where students will be able to do speed interviews with contractors.

09/15/2026

🙏 Would you pray for UPSTART?

We’re incredibly encouraged by the momentum behind our Upstart program, with growing interest from students and young adults in our community who are eager to prepare for their apprenticeship exam and explore careers in the skilled trades.

This growth is exciting—but it also brings new opportunities and challenges. Would you join us in praying for:

• The new cohort of participants — that they would grow in confidence, discover their strengths, and find meaningful pathways toward careers in the trades.
• Our volunteers and staff — for wisdom, energy, patience, and the capacity to care well for each participant.
• New volunteers and mentors — that the right people would step forward to share their time, skills, experience, and encouragement.
• The future of Upstart — that God would continue to open doors, provide the resources we need, and use this program to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people and our community.

We’re grateful for everyone who has helped make Upstart possible, and we’re excited to see where it leads.

Would you take a moment today to pray for Upstart, our volunteers, and the people we have the privilege of serving? 🙏

09/11/2026

Join us for Resilient’s next monthly community dinner!

This month we will be serving Italian beef sandwiches and sides like mac and cheese, potato wedges, green beans, and corn.

Our speaker is Sonia Bregman, who will be talking about scams. Officer Sonia is a very decorated police officer in Villa Park with extensive knowledge and care for the community. With the world becoming a very dangerous place for ID theft and scams of all kinds, this information is very beneficial!

White Crane Wellness Center will also be at the meal from 4:30-5:30 to do free fall-risk assessments for seniors over the age of 60.

Come enjoy a free meal and connect with others in the community. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP using the link below.

Thursday, September 17
Free Fall-Risk Assessment starting at 4:30pm
Dinner starting at 5pm
Speaker at 5:30pm
1S415 Summit Avenue, Villa Park
https://forms.gle/YLbfUwg9SoTXQeKq5

08/27/2026

Volunteers Needed for Upstart!

Upstart is growing—and we need you to help make it possible!

Our next cohort begins on September 16 in Villa Park, IL, and with more than 30 applicants, we’re excited about the opportunity to serve even more young people in our community.

We’re looking for volunteers to serve as instructors or guest speakers, helping participants build confidence, prepare for the workforce, and discover rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

You don’t need to have teaching experience—we provide a curriculum binder with lesson plans and resources to help you succeed. Not sure if it’s the right fit? Shadow one of our current volunteers for an evening! Your time, experience, and encouragement could make a lasting impact. 🙌

Interested in volunteering with Upstart? Contact us at [email protected] for more information.

Or apply today! https://www.resilientstrong.com/volunteer-application

08/13/2026

Resilient’s monthly community dinner is coming up, and we’d love for you to join us!

This month’s speaker is Resilient’s very own Executive Director Dagmar! If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we’re making a difference in our community, this is the perfect dinner to attend.

Come enjoy a free meal, connect with others, and hear more about Resilient’s mission. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP using the link below.

Thursday, August 20, starting at 5pm
1S415 Summit Avenue, Villa Park

https://forms.gle/YLbfUwg9SoTXQeKq5

08/11/2026

Big things are happening behind the scenes as we prepare for the next UPSTART cohort! 💡

Our team is hard at work getting ready to equip students with career training, life skills, mentoring, and opportunities that help them build a strong future. UPSTART is designed to empower young people with the tools they need to thrive.

Want to learn more? Join us for an UPSTART Information Webinar on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 PM. Whether you’re a parent, student, potential mentor, or community partner, we’d love to share what UPSTART is all about.

Register for the webinar today: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WTWEvLe0RNOOmwrzQsDxzA

We can't wait to see what this next season will bring! 🚀

07/15/2026

🚀 The next UPSTART cohort is coming soon! Will you be a part of it?

UPSTART empowers young people with the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive through career training, life skills development, mentoring, and meaningful opportunities.

Whether you’re a student looking to grow, a parent exploring opportunities, or a community member interested in supporting the next generation, UPSTART has a place for you.

✨ Learn what UPSTART can offer and discover how you can be part of this exciting journey.

Join us for an UPSTART Informational Webinar

📅 Wednesday, August 12

⏰ 6:30 PM

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WTWEvLe0RNOOmwrzQsDxzA

Let’s build futures. Let’s create opportunities. Let’s UPSTART! 💡🚀