About This Event
Our Honorees
Awareness2Teens (A2T) is a student organization founded by student leaders at Niles West High School to raise awareness about youth mental health and substance use and to encourage teens to seek help without fear or stigma. Through peer-led education and creative outreach – including a TikTok video about the impacts of substance use with over 400,000 views – they are helping spark important conversations among young people and extending their message far beyond their school community.
PEER is delighted to recognize A2T and its founding leaders – Camea Pastor, Loraine Francisco, Mariyam Yevaz Ali, Mary Brigid Mate, Nousheen Azad, and Twisa Patel – for their vision, commitment, and compassion for their peers.
Tom Schneider, Secretary of the PEER Services Board, has dedicated his career to supporting young people involved in the criminal justice system and helping them build brighter futures. He served for 40 years as a probation officer with the Cook County Juvenile Probation Department before retiring in 2013. Today, Tom continues his commitment to youth and adults facing significant challenges through his service on PEER’s board and as Director of Project Lifeline, a college scholarship program for justice-involved youth. Through his compassion and unwavering belief in the potential of young people, no matter their circumstances, Tom has changed countless lives.
Master of Ceremonies
Ryan Bond, a North Shore native, now calls Evanston home, where he resides with his wife and two sons. Deeply rooted in his community, Ryan has dedicated over a decade to serving as a Scout Leader, guiding his sons as they pursue their Eagle Scout rank, following in his footsteps. Beyond his family and community commitments, Ryan is a passionate and prolific actor, gracing stages across the North Shore in numerous notable dramatic and musical productions. He boasts an extensive 25+ year career in Product Management and Producing digital products and experiences, including serving as a Game Producer for over 150 online educational games for children. This year, Ryan is thrilled to celebrate 11 years of sobriety, recognizing the immense value that organizations like PEER bring to our community.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Please see all of our generous sponsors here.
Event Agenda:
5:30: Mingling, Mocktails, Small Bites
6:15: Event Program
7:30: Event Concludes
Attire: Business Casual
About This Event
Our Honorees
Awareness2Teens (A2T) is a student organization founded by student leaders at Niles West High School to raise awareness about youth mental health and substance use and to encourage teens to seek help without fear or stigma. Through peer-led education and creative outreach – including a TikTok video about the impacts of substance use with over 400,000 views – they are helping spark important conversations among young people and extending their message far beyond their school community.
PEER is delighted to recognize A2T and its founding leaders – Camea Pastor, Loraine Francisco, Mariyam Yevaz Ali, Mary Brigid Mate, Nousheen Azad, and Twisa Patel – for their vision, commitment, and compassion for their peers.
Tom Schneider, Secretary of the PEER Services Board, has dedicated his career to supporting young people involved in the criminal justice system and helping them build brighter futures. He served for 40 years as a probation officer with the Cook County Juvenile Probation Department before retiring in 2013. Today, Tom continues his commitment to youth and adults facing significant challenges through his service on PEER’s board and as Director of Project Lifeline, a college scholarship program for justice-involved youth. Through his compassion and unwavering belief in the potential of young people, no matter their circumstances, Tom has changed countless lives.
Master of Ceremonies
Ryan Bond, a North Shore native, now calls Evanston home, where he resides with his wife and two sons. Deeply rooted in his community, Ryan has dedicated over a decade to serving as a Scout Leader, guiding his sons as they pursue their Eagle Scout rank, following in his footsteps. Beyond his family and community commitments, Ryan is a passionate and prolific actor, gracing stages across the North Shore in numerous notable dramatic and musical productions. He boasts an extensive 25+ year career in Product Management and Producing digital products and experiences, including serving as a Game Producer for over 150 online educational games for children. This year, Ryan is thrilled to celebrate 11 years of sobriety, recognizing the immense value that organizations like PEER bring to our community.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Please see all of our generous sponsors here.
Event Agenda:
5:30: Mingling, Mocktails, Small Bites
6:15: Event Program
7:30: Event Concludes
Attire: Business Casual