About

The Pledge for Life Partnership is a volunteer-driven coalition of concerned citizens working to improve the quality of life in Kankakee and Iroquois counties in east central Illinois.

Members work to find solutions to the causes of school failure, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and other life-compromising behaviors.

supports values that

  • 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.

established 1989

the partnership is governed by a 24-member board of directors comprised of parents, community members and representatives from education, business, government, law enforcement and other health and social service agencies.

Pledge for Life Board

Directors and OfficersEx-Officio Members
Sarah Winkel – President of BoardBourbonnais Township Park DistrictMatt AdamsonAssistant Professor at Olivet Nazarene University – Social Work and Criminal Justice
Grace Seggebruch – Vice President of BoardKankakee County Juvenile ProbationDennis BaronDeck & Baron Attorneys at Law
Jackie Haas – Secretary of BoardHelen Wheeler CenterRosalinda ChavezStudent – Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School
Dr. Gregg Murphy – Treasurer of BoardI-KAN Regional Office of EducationTravis CrosslandIllinois National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
Dr. Debra BaronProject SUN Director – Community Foundation of Kankakee River ValleyCarole FrankeI-KAN Regional Office of Education
John BevisKankakee County Health DepartmentJane GrossoI-KAN Regional Office of Education
Marge GarayClinical Director; Stepping Stones, Inc.Aaron HarsyIllinois State Police District 21 Commander
Mark HodgeMayor of Village of Hopkins ParkLynda MartiI-KAN Regional Office of Education
Barb KingIroquois County Probation DepartmentKay PangleRetired Regional Superintendent from the I-KAN Regional Office of Education
Sandy KnightKankakee YWCAFrank PetkunasI-KAN Regional Office of Education
Clayt WolfeKAMEG DirectorSydney RamseyStudent – Kankakee High School
Lorenia LaraHippocrates Medical Clinic in KankakeeAmber ResidoriDean of the School of Health & Life Sciences at Olivet Nazarene University
Vurnice Maloney – Garden of Prayer Youth CenterBonnie SchaafsmaRetired from the Kankakee County Health Department
Jim PhelpsChief of Police – Bourbonnais Police DepartmentJim SchreinerI-KAN Regional Office of Education
Dr. John Palan Superintendent of Grant Park School District No. 6Marshall ShearerIllinois National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
Dee Ann SchippertIroquois County Public Health DepartmentBrenda WetzelI-KAN Regional Office of Education

Student leaders representing high schools across Kankakee County collaborate as agents to help our community become safer and healthier. The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) increases youth representation in partnership planning and policy activities focusing on underage drinking, marijuana use and youth prescription drug misuse. The youth create communication campaigns using billboards, positive social norms messages with memes, and radio public service announcements.  

These young leaders educate and inform elected officials at the local and state level about substance misuse issues prevalent among their peers. Youth Advisory Council students collaborate with other local and state youth groups partnering on initiatives that make a difference in our communities.