Nexus Family Healing - Onarga Campus

06/05/2026

Embracing the power of play, our recreation team and campus staff provided a safe and supportive environment for our youth to enjoy summer fun on the quad today! The activities encouraged healthy sportsmanship and relationship skills, while also promoting relaxation during their break from school! Thanks to everyone who helped make this a great day to reconnect and refresh!
Looking for ways to approach summer with less stress and more fun? Find simple tips in our new blog: nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/build-balanced-summer-without-losing-your-mind

06/02/2026

Learn more about the importance of creating a safe and accepting space for a child in their self-expression and how they identify. To read the full blog, find the link in comments of the original post below

05/30/2026

Just as supporting our youth in their education is an important part of the healing journey, so is celebrating their achievements! Recognizing our 8th graders and seniors in today's graduation ceremony*, Grand Prairie School Principal Tara Lemenager encouraged an inspiring path ahead. She borrowed words from Albus Dumbledore, a beloved character from JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels: "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light," and challenged them to "be the person who turns on the light."
Congratulations to our promoted 8th graders and high school graduates for meeting this academic milestone!
*Thank you to our GPS team who prepared this special experience for our students and their families!

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Cissna Park High School graduate Josie Neukomm, one of our two 2026 Grand Prairie Seminary & Nexus Family Healing Scholarship winners! An accomplished student leader in academics and athletics, Josie will attend Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, next fall to study elementary education. We wish her the best as she follows her career path to teaching!
photo: Josie Neukomm and Jamie Kozma, Executive Director at Nexus Family Healing

05/20/2026

Our Staff Retention Committee dished up a special treat for employees with cups of elote today! Also known as Mexican street corn, the tasty snack packed a lot of flavors while conveying the committee's message to staff: "Thanks for CORN-tributing to our campus! "🌽
Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Explore opportunities here: www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/careers

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Iroquois West CUSD 10 High School senior Chloe Wagner, one of our 2026 Grand Prairie Seminary & Nexus Family Healing (Onarga Campus) Scholarship winners! Chloe, an outstanding scholar and student leader in 4-H and FFA, will attend Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, next fall to study early childhood education. We wish Chloe the best as she begins her journey to shape the future!
photo: Jamie Kozma, Executive Director at Nexus Family Healing's Onarga campus, and Chloe Wagner

05/08/2026

We are happy to announce that Jessie Nuss is our May Employee Spotlight! What makes her a Spotlight-worthy employee? Her coworkers know! They see how Jessie always goes out of her way to make sure our youth are growing and healing! In her care coordinator role, she provides a calm presence that supports an environment that is much like Jessie herself - steady and grounded. When she isn’t caring for youth, she’s checking on her coworkers and offering a helping hand whenever she can assist. As a team member who has grown her career with Nexus, she now harnesses that experience to engage the youth in activities that are both creative and constructive. “Jessie is an asset to the team and brings so much to the table. We are lucky to have her.”
Congratulations, Jessie ~ Thank you for being a trusted team member and sharing your skills to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth!

05/06/2026

Our rural communities face unique risks and challenges with addiction. This impactful episode of the Nexus Family Healing "In This Family" podcast features Dr. Lee, CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation speaking with Dr. Michelle K. Murray, President and CEO of Nexus Family Healing. The discussion gives families hope to seek help and heal together. Listen now > Click below to access the link in the comments.

This week on "In This Family" podcast, we’re bringing back another one of our most impactful conversations.

Dr. Lee, CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, joins Dr. Michelle K. Murray for a compassionate, eye-opening discussion about how addiction really works, why shame and blame hold families back, and what actually helps people recover.

Listen today at the link in the comments.

05/01/2026

Industrial Arts instructor Bill Gullquist teamed up with the junior high teachers to bring agricultural education to our Grand Prairie School students. After patiently waiting for eggs to incubate in the classroom, the youth watched with fascination as they welcomed the little hatchling! With Bill's surprise addition of two more chicks to the mix, the students are now immersed in their own mini-farm experience! 🐣👨‍🌾🐥