15 years ago, my family lost a close friend. Erika Neuckranz lost her life to adolescent depression at just 14 years old. Erika was like a 3rd sister to me, similar in age to my two older sisters. She was our next door neighbor in Chicago, and one of the brightest spirits I can remember. […]
It’s been an incredible 15 years and we want to share with you Peggy Kubert’s, Director of Education, acceptance speech for “The Beacon Award,” which she gave at this year’s gala! I am honored and proud to have played a part in the shaping of Erika’s Lighthouse for the last 13 years. Even before I […]
Erika’s Lighthouse is celebrating its 15 year anniversary! I can’t believe how much we’ve grown over the years. In 2004, after the loss of their daughter Erika, founders Ginny and Tom Neuckranz set out to prevent this from ever happening to another child. In April 2004, our first meeting was held and by May, Erika’s […]
A surfer doesn’t fight the powerful ocean wave; he moves with the wave riding its natural tide. “Riding the wave” is also a psychological practice of surfing your own powerful and negative emotions. Fighting emotions such as sadness and anger delays the acceptance of these emotions. Riding the wave is about allowing your emotions to […]
I have struggled with food and weight for longer than I could remember. I always wanted dessert and lots of it! I was constantly overeating and I was moody, sad and displayed symptoms of depression. Eventually, I gave up and stopped caring about my health. I always wished I could just eat whatever I want […]
Fall. The leaves start changing. The temperature drops. Sunrise and sunset times shift. Routines change— some with the start of the new school year and others with work, new projects, and new friends. This could be a time that we are confronted with situations that feel overwhelming and it can also be a time to […]
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