Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home

08/29/2026

Come out tonight (Saturday 8/29) and visit our booth! We will be serving walking tacos and homemade rice crispy treats!

08/28/2026

08/18/2026

Back-to-school season can bring excitement, but it can also bring stress and uncertainty, especially for youth who have experienced instability.

That’s why preparation goes beyond school supplies. Support can look like helping a young person build routines, stay organized, feel encouraged, and walk into a new school year with confidence.

Small things like a consistent morning routine, a quiet place to study, or someone reminding them they are capable can make a meaningful difference.

As a new school year begins, we’re reminded how important steady support and encouragement can be in helping youth feel safe, prepared, and ready for what’s ahead.

08/17/2026

Confidence in school often starts with having someone in your corner. For youth who have experienced disruptions in learning or challenges in the classroom, consistent support can make all the difference.

Encouragement from caring adults, communication with schools, help with homework, tutoring, and individualized educational support can help students rebuild confidence and feel more hopeful about their future.

At Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home, we believe education is about more than academics. It’s about helping young people recognize their strengths, celebrate progress, and believe they are capable of succeeding.

Every step forward matters, and sometimes confidence begins with simply having someone who believes in you. If you’d like to learn more about the support and services we provide for adolescent girls and families, visit us at sleezeryouthhome.org.

08/14/2026

NCS Youth Home will have a booth at this great event! Come out to learn how to become more involved. We are always looking for volunteers and appreciate all the support we get from the community. Our community has really made a difference in the lives of the youth we serve.

At the heart of a thriving community is the willingness of its residents to show up for one another. Hosted by the Jane Addams Center at The Foundation for Northwest Illinois, the 2026 Joining Fair is a celebration of that exact spirit.

08/14/2026

Eats and Beats is getting closer and we are excited!! Bring your leftover tokens out and stop by NCS to say hi and grab a walking taco!

We just wanted to remind everyone that if you happen to have any Eats & Beats food tokens from the last few years - those tokens can still be redeemed at the event this year!

This includes red tokens, blue tokens and yellow tokens.

Eats & Beats will be held at the Freeport Arts Museum (FAM) Arts Plaza in downtown Freeport, Illinois on August 28 and 29. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. each day. Daily admission to the event is $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for ages 6-17, children five and under are admitted free.

Proceeds from the event benfit local Stephenson County charitable groups.

08/09/2026

Cameras are much more than capturing a memory 📸 Cameras are tools that not only capture moments in time, but tools that can help express thoughts and feelings in a unique manner. NCS has invested in these basic digital cameras for the youth with the end goal of allowing yet another avenue for our youth to express and compile their thoughts and feelings into a newer age tech way. Our goal is to allow them to create a new view of their feelings and allow them to express in a whole new level. Stay tuned... ☺️

08/07/2026

Eats & Beats is almost here, and we hope to see you there!

Join us on August 28 and 29 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Arts Plaza in Freeport for two evenings filled with great food, live music, and community connection.

We’ll be serving walking tacos and homemade Rice Krispie Treats both nights, alongside other local nonprofits and vendors, helping make this event a fun community tradition.

Stop by our booth, grab a bite, and spend part of your evening supporting organizations that are making a difference right here in Freeport. We can’t wait to see you!

08/06/2026

This month during our staff meeting we celebrated staff August Birthdays and shared our favorite pets from past/present with each other. We also collected donations to support our local Friends Forever Humane Society to support all our fur animals that need forever loving homes. Here are just some of our very own fur/feather/sea babies shared by NCS Staff 🫶