Outlook for ACES is Sunny, Despite Rainout

Last Sunday at Springdale Park in Western Springs, the volunteer turnout was substantial and the race route planned and marked. But when riders began to arrive so did the rain.

The Race for Aces was rained out, but not without first drumming up support for a new local non-profit.

ACES (Adolescent Counseling, Education and Support) is a new organization, just opened in 2011, that seeks to provide mental health support for teens in the Lyons and Proviso townships. Located in the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 South Ashland Ave., ACES is primarily accepting clients based on referrals from school counselors and social workers. Those clients are then directed toward the appropriate service for their needs, with a sliding scale for fees.

While teen mental health support is easy enough to obtain for families that have insurance and can pay any additional fees not covered by insurance, it can be more challenging for families of teens who may or may not have insurance but struggle to meet co-pays for regular mental health services, said Cindy Frymark, secretary of the ACES board of directors.

Cathy Kokontis, president of the ACES board and a social worker with thirty years experience of working with youth in the community, stressed the need for middle-income mental health support, which will be met by having private-practice counselors provide services through ACES at below-market prices in donated space.

The other obstacle faced by teens needing mental health support is the long waiting period for regular mental health services, or even crisis services. This can exacerbate a tough situation for a teen. “Our goal is to take away the wait time,” Frymark said.

Brian Doruff, of MB Financial Bank in La Grange Park, quickly volunteered to be a sponsor for the Race for Aces fundraiser. “There’s a need in this community that’s not being met...and [the teen years] are such a pivotal age where you can go one way or the other,” he said at the Sept. 18 event.

Another sponsor, Jenna Crowther of State Farm in Western Springs, stressed the importance of viewing teen mental health as an investment in the future. "Teens are the future so we have to take care of them first."

The support garnered for ACES thus far has been substantial from within the community, Frymark said. "This has been one of the easiest causes to fundraise for," as evidenced by the number of businesses listed on placards placed around Springdale Park. Although currently up and running, ACES is still looking for support and potential sponsors are encouraged to check out the ACES website.