It's Our Little Secret Holds Race for Change

Huntley organization holds 5K run to raise awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month

  It’s Our Little Secret is getting ready for its second annual Race for Change run this weekend. Whether you're an avid runner, beginner, or a first timer, our race is perfect for everyone. IOLS invites participants to race for a child or children for "Child Appreciation" on Sunday, April 29 at Deicke Park, 11419 Route 47 in Huntley. The day’s events include: Onsite registration begins at 8 a.m. The races begin at 9 a.m. The awards ceremony follows from 10 a.m until 12 p.m. Anyone interested in racing can register online at IOLS’s website. Children can meet a police officer/fireman and all children will receive a balloon to be released during the Award Ceremony for Child Appreciation. Race for Change is part of IOLS’s month-long effort to…

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Local Non-Profit Kicks Off Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and IOLS Seeks to Raise Awareness, Promote Strong Families.

During the month of April, It’s Our Little Secret (IOLS)  www.itsourlittlesecret.org, a non-profit charity operating in McHenry County,  invites civic organizations and community members to participate in activates geared toward raising awareness about child abuse and resources available to promote strong families. As part of the month-long effort, IOLS has launched their Blue Ribbon campaign geared to promoting this cause. Students of the Social Science Club of McHenry County College pledged their support by organizing a blue ribbon tree decorating event and hosting a fundraiser at the school. Community libraries have also been supportive by providing materials to promote the, “Art for Healing” art contest geared for kids. Additionally, …

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Huntley Recognizes It's Our Little Secret's Efforts to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month

Village passes proclamation Thursday.

  Huntley-based It’s Our Little Secret got support for its Blue Ribbon Campaign Thursday when the village passed a proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s Our Little Secret is a nonprofit that reaches out to children and teens of sexual, emotional and physical abuse to empower them. Its mission statement is "to make a difference in the lives of the children through through various IOLS specific programs so they will learn to live and not just survive," according to its website. The Blue Ribbon Campaign is aimed at promoting children’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child abuse/neglect within families and communities. Maebelle Obispo, a co-founder, said the idea is to make blue ribbons the symbol of child …

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It's Our Little Secret Looking for Volunteers

Volunteers needed for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

  It’s Our Little Secret has a way for you and your family to help with Child Abuse Prevention Month: volunteer days. The Huntley-based nonprofit needs help to put together Blue Ribbon Awareness packets and seeks volunteers to help with events scheduled in April. It’s Our Little Secret (IOLS) will have a volunteer day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at 9734 N. Route 47, Huntley. Other volunteer opportunities: Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Julie Baker at julie.n.baker@gmail.com

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It's Our Little Secret 5K Run

The Huntley organization held the first annual Race for Change to bring awareness to child appreciation. The event was held Saturday at Tomaso Sports on Ackman Road.

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“Race for Change” Fundraiser to Benefit Abused Children

Event Set for Saturday, April 23 at Tomaso Sports Complex

Some of the funds raised through an upcoming 5K run and walk will be used to buy art materials for abused children, whose expression through creativity may help them cope with the affects of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. “Race for Change” is set for 9 a.m., Saturday, April 23 at the Carl Tomaso Sports Complex in Huntley, and is organized by It’s Our Little Secret. Maebelle Obispo, vice president of business development at It’s Our Little Secret, said the abuse of children remains a stigma, and during April, National Child Abuse Awareness month, getting the word out is the first step. “Our goal is to create awareness about child abuse,” she said. “It’s such a controversial issue. A lot of people don’t like to talk about it…yet most …

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Local Organization Gathering Toys for Foster Children

It's Our LIttle Secret hopes to bring Christmas to thousands of children.

Kristie Sams-Faulkner could count the number of toys she received as a child for Christmas on one hand.  Her childhood was chaotic. She lived in 11 foster homes throughout the years as her parents fought an addiction to crank, a drug similar to methamphetamine. She does not have cherished Christmas memories. Her memories are of neglect and the sexual abuse she endured at the hands of three relatives. Sams-Faulkner does not focus on the sadness of her early life. She has used those experiences to reach out to foster children through a Huntley-based organization she co-founded with her friend, Maebelle Obispo-Emery, called It's Our Little Secret. The two Huntley women want to give foster children a memorable Christmas so It's Our Little …

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Organization Celebrates One Year Anniversary

It's Our LIttle Secret holds silent auction to raise money to help children in foster care system.

It's Our Little Secret, an organization that helps children in foster care, held a wine tasting and silent auction at Talamore Club House Friday. Co-founders Kristie Sams-Faulkner and Maebelle Obispo-Emery hosted the event.

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Huntley Organization Reaching Out To Abused Children

It's Our Little Secret celebrating its first year anniversary.

The little girl didn't talk much. Her chaotic childhood was filled with pain, the pain of sexual abuse and moving back and forth between foster homes _ 11 total. Writing and drawing were her only outlets to express herself and communicate her pain. Kristie Sams-Faulkner overcame the abuse and grew up to become a co-founder of It's Our Little Secret, a Huntley-based organization that reaches out to children growing up like she did. As Sams-Fulkner walked through the front doors of it's Our Little Secret's storefront offices recently, she picked up a backpack, called a "journey pack," nestled among dozens that will be distributed to foster children throughout McHenry County. She pulled out different items neatly tucked into the pockets and …

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