OUR MISSION
MISSION
Supportive Roots is dedicated to cultivating a resilient and thriving community by fostering mental health and wellness for all.
VISION
A future where every individual within our community feels empowered, connected, and equipped with the tools to nurture their mental well-being.
VALUES
Supportive Roots is focused on meeting the community where they are, making mental health and wellness services as easily accessible as possible.
We are committed to ensuring the community benefits from all mental health and wellness resources available and to helping fill service gaps when needed.
Our Beginning
The founding directors of Supportive Roots - Megan Campbell, Rebecca Parks, and Carissa Tonner - are deeply committed to the community, as evidenced by their extensive history of community engagement and service provision in Kankakee County. This dedication assures our community members, partners, and stakeholders that our organization is rooted in a genuine desire to serve.
Supportive Roots, Inc. (NFP) was officially incorporated and granted 501(c)3 status in January of 2024, though our mission was conceived long before that. Rebecca Parks managed a community partnership grant for the Kankakee School District, with a portion allocated to mental health wellness. Leveraging her deep connections in the community, she collaborated with Megan Campbell, a business owner of local group therapy practice Rise & Thrive Wellness, to bring mental health services into the schools. Their shared vision was to provide therapy and wellness resources to both students and staff at no cost, reducing barriers to mental health care within the educational environment.
Implementation
Together, Rebecca and Megan outlined a plan that included various components such as group therapy sessions, individual counseling, wellness workshops, and staff training sessions. The goal was to provide each student with at least one interaction or "touchpoint" within the program during the first year. This approach aimed to reduce stigma around mental health and encourage students to seek help when needed.
Influenced by the impact of existing programs and recognizing the need for sustainable alternatives as school district funding fluctuates, Megan, Rebecca, and Carissa united their complementary skills and experiences to form Supportive Roots in late 2023. Officially granted 501(c)(3) status on January 31, 2024, Supportive Roots Inc. (NFP) is dedicated to addressing the mental health and wellness needs of residents of Kankakee County and beyond.
Megan's focus on therapy and parent education, Rebecca's background in behavioral health and community partnerships, and Carissa's expertise in operational management all contribute to a leadership team that is not only comprehensive in its understanding of the community's needs but also confident in its ability to address them effectively.
Our Founding Board
Rebecca Parks
Rebecca's background includes extensive experience in behavioral health and community partnerships. She started and supervised Kankakee's first Healthy Families of America parenting program, funded by MIECHV and operated by Aunt Martha's. This program aimed to support parents and children, demonstrating Rebecca's dedication to family health and early intervention. In her subsequent role as Behavioral Medicine Business Development Manager for Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, Rebecca focused on expanding access to behavioral health services. Currently, as the Community Partnerships Coordinator for Kankakee School District 111, she continues to build bridges between schools and community services, showcasing her skill in creating strong partnerships and facilitating access to essential services.
Megan Campbell, LCPC, ATR-BC
Megan has deep roots in Kankakee County, having been a resident for over 15 years. Her seven years of service to the community and over a decade as a Certified Parent Educator reflect a consistent commitment to supporting families and youth. Megan has demonstrated her ability to build meaningful partnerships and provide valuable services through her work in establishing a group therapy practice that collaborates with the Kankakee School District and Pembroke Schools. Her expertise in group therapy and connections to local educational institutions position her as a key resource in addressing mental health and supporting community well-being.
Carissa Tonner, MBA
Carissa's expertise in financial oversight and operations management brings a critical dimension to the organization's success. Her belief in the importance of well-run operations aligns with the need for efficient service delivery in nonprofit organizations. Carissa's experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, where she served as VP of Finance and Operations and later as Executive Director, indicates her ability to lead complex organizations and ensure they operate effectively for the benefit of youth development. Her process improvement and operational management skills are invaluable in ensuring the smooth execution of the organization's mission-focused work.