Illinois Connections for Families of the Fallen

Memories like this can't be deleted

This was ICFF's seventh event at Brookfield Zoo, in what has become an end-of-the-summer tradition. Longtime favorite activities included memory jars from the Road Home Program at Rush and comfort dogs from LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry, and as always one-on-one counseling was available with both mental health professionals and financial counselors. A room was set aside for those who wished to record the story of their loved one for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. Thanks as always to our partners at Rush, INCCRRA, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and Survivor Outreach Services of Illinois.

The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry was invited again this year to an event given by Illinois Connections for Families of the Fallen. This organization is dedicated to helping families who have experienced a catastrophic loss find a new normal. They recognize that people grieve differently and try to provide access to the resources families need for this unique struggle.

Today at Brookfield Zoo I was one of those resources...a "comfort" resource...with my friends Kare 9 Blitz and Veteran Bob, Kare 9 Brandy and Veteran Marvin, Kare 9 Brutus and Veteran Gene, Kare 9 Flex and Veteran Fred, and Levi Comfort Dog.

I met sweet Jamie. I hope I was a comfort to her.
Until next time, Tobias

Thank you so much for coming!

Registration for this August's Illinois Connections for Families of the Fallen Connections at the Zoo event is now open! Please go to http://bit.ly/ICFFZoo2018 for more details and to register!

SAVE THE DATE for our August ICFF Event: Connections at the Zoo! On August 26th, 2018 we will meet at the Brookfield Zoo for activities, workshops, and healing for families of fallen soldiers. Make sure you mark this on your calendar and keep an eye out for the registration link!

This was our first time doing our ICFF connections event in Peoria at the Riverfront Museum, and it was a wonderful experience. We are impressed and humbled that some families drive literally hundreds of miles to share their stories, honor their loved one and connect to support each other.

Playing – and healing – in Peoria - ICFF This was our first time doing the event in Peoria at the Riverfront Museum, and it was a wonderful experience. We loved the location because the families could combine it with exploring the museum, planetarium and IMAX movie theater. The idea for a Peoria gathering arose because because we try to mo...

Registration is open for our Connections at the Riverfront in Peoria on April 29th! For more information, please visit bit.ly/ICFFApril2018.

ICFF: Connections at the Riverfront, April 29, 2018

Registration is open for our Connections at the Riverfront in Peoria on April 29th! For more information, please visit bit.ly/ICFFApril2018.

ICFF: Connections at the Riverfront, April 29, 2018 Please join us for a day full of opportunity for families to come and attend seminars, engage in interactive therapy, or meet with other friends and families. Throughout the day, seminars on various topics are offered at no charge. Programming will be held from 8:30am-1:00pm, and families are encour...

It may look like winter outside in Illinois, but we're thinking ahead to summer days and sunshine! The collaborative partnership of Illinois Military Kids is happy to announce that registration is open for a fabulous week of camp for military kids though Camp Corral:

When: July 15-20, 2018
Where: 4-H Memorial Camp near Monticello, IL
Who is eligible: Children ages 8-15 of military families (all branches and components). Although any child from a military family is eligible, mission priority for acceptance is given to children of fallen, disabled, or wounded service members.
Who is hosting: Illinois 4-H
Cost to you: FREE - thanks to Camp Corral for providing these free camps (note: accepted campers will need submit a refundable "hold my spot" deposit)
Where to register and/or get more information: www.campcorral.org

Camp Corral – The mission of Camp Corral is to transform the lives of children of wounded, injured, ill, and fallen military heroes by providing a unique summer camp experience.

SAVE THE DATE for our 2018 Connections at the Riverfront! We will meet on April 29th from 9am-4pm at the Riverfront Museum in Peoria. Details are coming soon... if you have questions please call (312) 265-9109 or email [email protected].

Operation Love Letters is a Nationwide SOS event where families are invited to write letters to their love one.

This year, we will "FLY" the letters! We are also inviting families to submit a photo of your Hero, to be displayed at the event!

In addition, there will be opportunity for up to two people per Hero to experience flight, in the indoor skydiving iFly chamber!

Refreshments will be served.For questions regarding the event, activities or registration process, contact Dawn Sands at (630) 739-7287, or [email protected]. If you have questions for AllenForce, contact Aubrey at (779) 205-3314, or [email protected]. If you have questions for AGSM, contact Denise at (815) 919-7807, or [email protected]

Operation Love Letters Operation Love Letters is a Nationwide SOS event where families are invited to write letters to their love one. This year, we will "FLY" the letters! We are also inviting families to submit a photo of your Hero, to be displayed at the event! In addition, there will be opportunity for up to two peopl...