Allendale is pleased to announce that our President & CEO, Jason Keeler, was selected as the new Board Chairman of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY) in July 2024. This appointment signifies a pivotal moment for the partnership between ICOY and Allendale and we are proud to support Mr. Keeler as he steps into this important role to further advance the vital work and advocacy efforts to improve services for Illinois’ most vulnerable youth and families.
A History of Proactive Advocacy
In case you are unfamiliar with the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY), their history represents an important commitment to efficient, supportive progress. ICOY has proactively partnered to establish a state-run effort supporting organizations that promote child and family welfare – a function as previously undertaken by faith-based charitable organizations that were only loosely affiliated and organized. ICOY has long been a key player at both the state and grassroots levels. Over the years, ICOY has evolved, with the changing human service landscape, by proactively joining forces with new organizations to shape policy and practices in a more systematic and holistic way. However, the heart of their mission has remained the same – promoting the safety, health, and success of Illinois’ children, youth and families by supporting and building capacity in the systems and organizations that serve them.
Jason Keeler: A Visionary Leader
Jason Keeler, an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker and current President & CEO at Allendale Association, brings a wealth of child welfare and behavioral health experience with a robust track record in leadership. His background is a blend of strategic planning, organizational and program development, and direct care. Known for his passion for youth advocacy and empowerment, Keeler has consistently demonstrated a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of young people and helping families rebuild relationships.
Keeler’s appointment as Board Chairman is a testament to his strategic leadership. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has held various influential positions where he has successfully implemented innovative programs that have positively impacted families and communities. His leadership style is characterized by inclusivity, collaboration and a forward-thinking approach.
“I am both proud and humbled to continue to serve ICOY in this new capacity. It is an honor to work alongside fellow agency executives, gifted leaders and experts who care deeply and about the well-being of others and to be a part of an organization that is unwaveringly dedicated to improving the lives of children and families across Illinois,” says Mr. Keeler.
Impact on Allendale
Allendale has been a member of ICOY for 7 years and a member of the Child Care Association of Illinois for over 15 years before they merged in 2017. As President & CEO of Allendale, Keeler is armed and ready to amplify our shared mission of strengthening services and advocating for policies at the state and federal levels, ensuring that children and youth have the tools and skills needed to thrive. And, that the organizations and systems serving them have the capacity and necessary resources to be effective. Keeler’s strategic insights and comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Illinois’ most vulnerable youth and families will be instrumental in guiding ICOY’s initiatives.
ICOY’s Key Areas of Focus:
- System Transformation: With a focus on prevention, ICOY is forging ahead to build bridges within the human service sector.
- Facilitating Collaborative Learning & Growth: Expanding capacity-building efforts for community organizations and youth-serving organizations.
- Providing Humble & Transparent Leadership in Equity: Continue to seek out ways to eliminate systematic injustice and ensure all families have access to the resources they want and need.
Looking Ahead
As Jason Keeler steps into his new role, he along with the ICOY Board of Directors, Andrea Durbin, CEO and the entire ICOY team moves forward with optimism, determination and steadfast resolve. Through this fortified coalition of leadership and dedicated professionals, together they will bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges faced by youth in Illinois, helping to improve outcomes for children, youth and families and strengthen the network of providers serving them.
Keeler’s extensive experience, coupled with his passion for youth and family advocacy, positions him well to support ICOY towards achieving its mission in continuing to drive positive change and fostering a supportive environment for the next generation.
Allendale is proud to support Jason Keeler in his new role as Board Chairman of ICOY. Together, we look forward to witnessing the positive system transformations that his leadership will undoubtedly inspire, as we collectively reach closer towards a future where every youth and family has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
Allendale: A tradition of care and service.
For 125 years, Allendale, a private, not-for-profit organization, has led youth with serious emotional, mental, and behavioral health challenges and their families on a journey towards resiliency.
At Allendale, our aim is to offer every chance for healing and growth – through a myriad of programs and services and a continuum of care including 24/7 therapeutic residential treatment, therapeutic day school programs, outpatient counseling services, foster care, emergency shelter and transitional living and intensive in-home and community support services. Allendale is a place where kids and families have the opportunity to restore their lives and discover a better future.