Northbrook's Amy Oberholtzer Named 14th District Unsung Heroine

Northbrook IL

05 March, 2021

1:14 PM

Description

Press release from Commissioner Britton's Office: March 5, 2021 Cook County 14th District Commissioner Scott Britton today announced that Northbrook resident Amy Oberholtzer has been named the 14th District's 2021 Unsung Heroine for her dedicated work providing mental health support for students and families in Northbrook. "Mental health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is paramount and I am proud to honor Amy Oberholtzer for her work with CATCH to keep mental health at the forefront. Routines for adults and youths alike have been disrupted, and our loving connections with our families and friends have been distanced as we all do our part to keep each other safe. It is crucial to have a support system in place when things get to be too much for us to handle on our own. CATCH's presence in the community reaffirms that it is okay not to be okay, and that families dealing with anxiety and depression are not alone," Britton said. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Oberholtzer has lived in Northbrook for over 30 years where she and her husband Will have raised their two children. Passionate about education, Oberholtzer began her career as a preschool teacher at Little Ones Nursery School and assistant teaching at Northbrook's Westmoor Elementary. When her daughter began her courageous battle against anxiety and depression, Oberholtzer was called to action and founded Community Action Together for Children's Health (CATCH), a group that provides support and educational programs for elementary, junior high, and high school students and families grappling with mental health challenges. "I am committed to ensuring that mental health is normalized and prioritized in our community and schools, and that families are empowered to foster lifelong resilience in their children," Obertholtzer said. "Suicide is the leading cause of death among adolescents, according to the CDC, while locally, mental health organizations like the Josselyn Center have noted a 100% increase in individuals seeking services during the pandemic," said Michelle Zenner Kohler, 14th District Women's Commissioner. "I can't think of a better person to honor than Amy Oberholtzer who dug deep to turn her family's struggle with mental health into a mission to provide a lifeline for others." CATCH's mission is to "empower families to foster resilience and prioritize mental health and emotional wellness in their children through educational programming, access to resources, and peer support." They do this work by providing direct support for parents and caregivers through their Parent Support Network, offering access to personalized resources as well as opportunities for parents to connect for small, confidential peer-to-peer discussions. Recently, CATCH partnered with the Village of Northbrook to place banners featuring the message, "Northbrook Cares, Community Together" complemented by colorful imagery showing people interacting outside the beloved gazebo at the Village Green Park. These banners are beautiful reminders about the important link between caring connections, mental health, and remaining active during the pandemic. The Unsung Heroine Award honors 18 women, one from each district and one county-wide, whose contributions to their communities, families and professional endeavors have been crucial, but often go unrecognized. The Unsung Heroine Award is in its 24th year of celebrating women throughout Cook County, and while this year's event was virtual the impact of the women honored is no less spectacular. This press release was produced by Commissioner Britton's Office. The views expressed here are the author's own.