Pledge for Life Partnership
Piecing together a safer and healthier community
Who We Are
The Pledge for Life Partnership is dedicated to enhancing education, fostering growth, and nurturing potential, in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. For over three decades, members have worked to combat challenges and uplift local communities through innovative programs and collaborative efforts specifically addressing school failure, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and other life-compromising behaviors.
​
The partnership is governed by a board of directors comprised of parents, community members and representatives from education, business, government, law enforcement and other health and social service agencies.
Our Values
-
Help parents address behavior expectations and consequences with their children regarding destructive behaviors and negative influences, particularly underage alcohol use.
-
Reduce underage access to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
-
Reduce violence in the home, schools and community through communication and conflict resolution training.
-
Provide greater access to out-of-school opportunities for all school age youth.
Our Team
Director: Lori Mollema
Drug-Free Communities Grant Project Coordinator: Jim Schreiner
Administrative Assistant: Jolene Huddlestun
Life Education Center Educator: Rhonda McKinstry
Life Education Center Educator & Parent Communication Campaign: Betsy Keigher
Life Education Center Educator & Communication Specialist: Casi Brace
Pledge for Life Board
President: Sarah Winkel
Vice-President:
Treasurer: Dr. Debra Baron
Secretary: Jackie Hass
​
Members:
Stacy Barclay
Michelle Barrie
John Bevis
Esmeralda Elvir
Johnnie Graham-Wicks
Ex-Officio:
Carole Franke
Patricia High
Lori Mollema
Dr. Kay Pangle
​
​
Evan Gregg
Mark Hodge
Barb King​
Vurnice Maloney
Dr. John Palan
​
Jeannette Tetreault
Brenda Wetzel
Clayt Wolfe
​Miguel Pena
Marshall Shearer
Ricardo Zarate
Illinois Youth Survey
The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) is a self-report survey administered in school settings every year to 8th, 10th and 12th grade students, and gathers information about health and social indicators including substance use and perceptions, bullying, school climate, nutrition, and physical activity. This provides a scientific estimate of health and social indicators for the state of Illinois. It also supplies local data to schools and school districts at no cost, and provides critical information to school administrators, prevention professionals, and community members as they work to address issues in their communities. For more information, please visit: https://iys.cprd.illinois.edu/about
Click here for the 2024 survey results.
