The Break

A Safe Space to Belong, Connect, and Grow

The Break Teen Center provides a safe, welcoming space for teens to build friendships, develop life skills, explore interests, and discover their potential through recreational activities, mentorship, education, and community engagement.

The Break Teen Center

A Place for Teens to Belong, Connect, and Grow

Better together! The Break and NAMI McHenry County are officially joining forces on January 1, 2027. Break Teen Center is a safe, welcoming space where teens can build friendships, explore interests, develop life skills, and discover their potential. Together, we’re building on our shared commitment to mental health and creating new opportunities to connect, support, and empower teens and youth in our community.

The Break Teen Center offers:

  • A safe, supportive space for teens to connect and socialize

  • Opportunities to build friendships and develop life skills

  • Recreational activities and educational programs

  • Mentorship and positive community connections

  • A welcoming environment where teens can be themselves

Big things are ahead for The Break! The Break will soon have a new home at NAMI McHenry County's headquarters in Crystal Lake. The 6,000-square-foot space will triple its current size and feature dedicated areas for recreation, music, group activities, and educational programming. This exciting new chapter will create even more room for teens to connect, grow, and discover their potential. Donate to help build the new home of The Break!

Make a Gift Today!

Help Build a Brighter Future for Teens

Donate to be part of building a new home for The Break at NAMI McHenry County. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, your gift can go twice as far! A $100,000 matching challenge is underway through December 31, 2026, giving you an opportunity to double your impact.

Be part of building something extraordinary for our community's teens. Every gift makes a difference!

Make a Gift Today

The Break and NAMI McHenry County Merger Frequently Asked Questions

The BREAK’s commitment to supporting youth remains unchanged. By joining with NAMI, we are building on a strong foundation and creating new opportunities to expand mental health support, education, and community impact for the young people and families we serve.

  • The merger brings together the BREAK’s youth-focused programs and NAMI's extensive mental health resources, education, advocacy, and support network. Our goal is to strengthen services, increase sustainability, and expand opportunities for the young people and families we serve.

  • Most programs will continue as planned during the transition. Over time, participants may see enhancements, additional resources, or new opportunities through NAMI. Any significant program changes will be communicated in advance.

  • Yes. Supporting teens and young adults remains a central priority. The merger is intended to expand and strengthen youth-focused services, not reduce them.

  • We are committed to supporting staff throughout the transition. Team members will receive updates as decisions are made. Our goal is to retain the knowledge, relationships, and expertise that have made the BREAK successful.

  • Volunteers remain an important part of our community. Volunteer roles may evolve over time to align with NAMI policies and procedures, but volunteer engagement will continue to be valued and encouraged.

  • The BREAK will retain the name. Branding updates may occur as the merger progresses. If changes are made to names, logos, websites, or materials, stakeholders will be informed in advance. Any changes will be designed to reflect both our history and our future within NAMI.

  • Yes. Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants and families remains a top priority. Any transfer or management of records will comply with applicable privacy laws, organizational policies, and best practices.

  • The merger is intended to strengthen long-term financial sustainability by combining resources, reducing duplication where appropriate, and increasing access to funding opportunities. Existing donor support and community partnerships remain important.

  • Donations will continue to support the mission of serving youth and families. Additional information regarding donation processes and tax documentation will be communicated as needed.

  • The transition will occur in phases. While some changes may happen immediately, others will be implemented over several months. Regular updates will be shared with staff, participants, families, volunteers, and community partners.

  • Updates will be shared through email, meetings, newsletters, social media, and our website. We encourage everyone to ask questions and provide feedback throughout the process.

  • Please contact The Break Staff, or NAMI's Director of Youth Programs, Elissa Crowley at ecrowley@namimch.org or at (815) 846-5095