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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260706T100000
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DTSTAMP:20260513T212141
CREATED:20260327T180732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260327T180732Z
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SUMMARY:Red Cross Blood Drive
DESCRIPTION:Give the Gift of Life at Gorton’s Monthly Blood Drive\nJoin us at the Gorton Center for our monthly blood drive\, proudly hosted in partnership with the American Red Cross. Your donation can help save lives – and it only takes a little of your time to make a big difference. \n How to Participate\nPre-registration is required and takes just a few minutes. Click the link below to reserve your spot – walk-ins cannot be accommodated. \nBefore You Donate\n\nEat a healthy meal.\nDrink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids beforehand.\nBring a photo ID\, your blood donor card\, or two other forms of identification.\n\nSave Time with RapidPass\nYou can speed up your visit by completing a RapidPass on the day of your donation. This allows you to complete the pre-donation reading and health history ahead of time. \nVisit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for details. \nWe’re so grateful for your generosity. Thank you for supporting the Gorton community and helping the American Red Cross save lives through the power of blood donation.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/red-cross-blood-drive-20/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Community,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260713T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260713T183000
DTSTAMP:20260513T212141
CREATED:20260403T161627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T161627Z
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SUMMARY:Women's Self Defense with Fit 2 Defend Academy
DESCRIPTION:Women’s Self-Defense Workshop: Empowerment Through Action\nJoin us for a dynamic and empowering self-defense workshop designed specifically for women of all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or looking to refresh and refine your skills\, this class provides a supportive and inclusive environment where you can learn practical\, real-world techniques that truly work. \nLed by the experienced team at Fit 2 Defend\, this workshop combines a short\, informative lecture with hands-on practice. You’ll learn how to protect yourself across multiple ranges of defense\, understand the importance of situational awareness\, and gain insight into the golden rules of self-defense that can help prevent dangerous encounters before they happen. \nThrough realistic scenarios and step-by-step instruction\, you’ll build physical skills\, mental preparedness\, and the self-assurance needed to respond effectively under pressure. Fit 2 Defend has trained and empowered hundreds of women with great success\, and now it’s your turn to take the first step toward personal safety and empowerment. \nCome dressed to move\, bring water\, and get ready to leave this workshop feeling stronger\, smarter\, and more confident in your ability to defend yourself. \nAges 13 +
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/womens-self-defense-july-13/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260716T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260716T190000
DTSTAMP:20260513T212141
CREATED:20260415T150126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T191618Z
UID:20007212-1784224800-1784228400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Sparkle & Scribe: Longevity + Journaling Experience
DESCRIPTION:Are you looking for simple\, sustainable ways to improve your health\, increase your energy\, and feel more in control of your daily habits for good? This interactive workshop blends science-based longevity education with guided reflection to help you build a strong foundation for long-term well-being: physically\, mentally\, and emotionally. Led by Michelle Dooley\, Certified Longevity Coach at SPARKLE Longevity\, and Christine Witt\, founder of PurposeFull Goods\, this engaging session combines practical lifestyle strategies with mindfulness and self-inquiry. You’ll explore how small\, consistent habits paired with intentional reflection can create meaningful\, lasting change. \nTopics we’ll explore include:\nWhat Longevity Really Means: Gain a clear understanding of longevity and why it matters now more than ever in today’s fast-paced\, high-stress world. We’ll look at insights inspired by research from the Blue Zones and what we can learn from their daily habits. \nThe 4 Pillars of Longevity: Learn the foundational pillars of food as fuel\, mindful movement\, sleep & recovery\, and stress minimization\, along with simple\, realistic strategies you can begin applying right away. \nHabit Stacking for Real Life: Discover how to create lasting change by layering small habits into your existing routine to reduce overwhelm and build consistency. \nMindfulness & Journaling for Clarity: Christine will guide you through a calming meditation and journaling exercise designed to help you reflect\, reset\, and connect your intentions to your daily habits. \nYou’ll leave with:\n\nA clear understanding of the core principles of longevity and how to apply them in everyday life\nSimple\, actionable strategies to improve nutrition\, movement\, sleep\, and stress management\nA practical approach to habit stacking that makes change feel manageable and sustainable\nA guided journaling experience to support self-awareness and personal growth\nA take-home journal to continue your practice beyond the workshop\nA complimentary longevity eBook program with recipes and structure to help you build momentum\n\nThis is more than just a workshop.  It’s an opportunity to invest in yourself\, build better daily habits\, and leave with tools you can use right away to support a healthier\, more energized life. \nMeet the Sparkle and Scribe Team\n \nMichelle Dooley:  Michelle\, aka Coach Dooley\, is a Certified Longevity Coach and founder of SPARKLE Longevity\, where she helps women over 40 reclaim their energy\, build strength\, and age vibrantly by focusing on four key pillars: nourishing food\, mindful movement\, restorative sleep\, and stress-minimizing daily habits.With credentials from AFAA\, Les Mills BODYPUMP\, OTFit\, Healthy Moms® Perinatal Fitness\, the Longevity Coach Institute\, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition\, she blends science-backed guidance with real-life simplicity through her signature SPARKLE method: Simple Principles And Recipes to Keep Living Energetically. She currently coaches and teaches at Orangetheory Fitness and Lake Forest Health and Fitness Center. Known for her humor and relatable style\, Michelle brings her signature “I put the FUN back in fundamentals” energy to every class\, workshop and coaching session\, empowering women to create a joyous lifestyle that lasts a lifetime. \n \nChristine Witt is the founder of PurposeFull Goods\, a wellness brand that blends the science of scent with guided journaling to support self-discovery and intentional living. A passionate mental health advocate\, Christine believes that the simplest analog tools — a journal\, a candle\, a quiet moment of reflection — can be some of the most powerful catalysts for lasting change. Drawing from her own lived experience navigating life’s transitions\, Christine has made it her mission to help others slow down\, tune in\, and build wellness rituals that actually stick. Through Purposefull Goods and her work as a community advocate\, she creates space for people to reconnect with themselves with curiosity\, compassion\, and a little bit of joy. In this workshop\, Christine will guide participants through a grounding meditation and journaling exercise designed to help you reflect\, reset\, and bridge the gap between intention and everyday habit.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/sparkle-scribe-longevity-journaling-experience/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T113000
DTSTAMP:20260513T212141
CREATED:20260415T161331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T161331Z
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SUMMARY:Turning Teen: Body Basics for Girls
DESCRIPTION:Turning Teen is here for #GirlMoms\, #GirlDads\, and any other trusted adult in a young person’s life. We know it can be hard to talk with a girl about puberty. Or sexual or mental health. And other issues relating to her body. After all\, many of our parents found it hard\, too. Some of us never learned how to discuss – without secrecy\, embarrassment\, or worse\, shame – what it means to turn into a teen. \nWe can fix that. Turning Teen has the support and guidance you need. Interactive classes and workshops\, offered in person or online\, provide age-appropriate\, medically accurate information in an engaging and fun setting. \nIn this workshop\, you will learn about female anatomy\, puberty\, body changes\, body safety\, and more! Turning Teen offers interactive pediatrician-developed educational workshops that are fun\, modern\, and medically accurate! \nFor girls 8+ (who haven’t started puberty yet or are in the early stages) and their parent/trusted adult. \nTurning Teen\, founded by Dr. Lisa Klein and Dr. Carrie Leff\, helps families talk openly about puberty\, bodies\, and sex. Our programs\, led by medical and mental health professionals\, provide accurate\, age-appropriate information to make these conversations more comfortable for kids and their caregivers.   \nDr. Jessica Reggi is Chicagoland’s Turning Teen board-certified pediatrician. She practiced clinical pediatrics throughout Chicago for about eight years before transitioning to nonprofit leadership. She is passionate about the intersection of health and education and has facilitated trainings about vaccines\, vaping\, and more for school districts\, community organizations\, and health champions across the country. 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/turning-teen-body-basics-for-girls-july-25/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Specialty,Wellness,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T160000
DTSTAMP:20260513T212141
CREATED:20260410T174316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T152905Z
UID:20007193-1784980800-1784995200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Accelerated Reiki Levels I & II
DESCRIPTION:Reiki Accelerated Class 1 and 2\nDiscover the Healing Power of Reiki \nReiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that supports physical\, emotional\, and mental balance. It uses gentle touch to channel universal life energy into the body\, helping to promote relaxation and reduce stress. The word Rei means “universal life\,” and Ki means “energy\,” so Reiki literally translates to Universal Life Force Energy. \nThis holistic practice is based on the belief that all living things are sustained by a vital life force. When this energy flows freely\, the body can maintain health and balance. Through Reiki\, practitioners aim to restore this flow\, facilitating healing at physical\, emotional\, and spiritual levels. \nUsing the practitioner’s hands\, Reiki energy is transferred to the recipient\, calming the nervous system and enhancing overall well-being. Many find it to be a deeply soothing and grounding experience. \nWhat You’ll Learn in Our Accelerated Reiki Class\nOur Accelerated Reiki Class is open to everyone and includes both Reiki Level I and Level II certifications. In this course\, participants will: \n\nLearn the core Reiki symbols and their meanings\nReceive clear\, step-by-step instruction from an experienced teacher\nGain hands-on practice with energy work\nEarn a Reiki II certificate upon completion\n\nYou’ll leave the class with the knowledge and confidence to practice Reiki on yourself\, others\, and even animals. \nMeet Your Instructor: Melissa MacTaggart \nMelissa MacTaggart is a certified Reiki Master Teacher who has trained in the Usui method—the oldest form of Reiki. She studied at Zaanti Reiki and Sat Nam Yoga in Chicago and founded Blossom and Bee Reiki in 2018. \nMelissa has led Reiki workshops in both Los Angeles and Chicago. Her passion for energy healing began in her teenage years\, sparking a lifelong journey into the mind-body connection. Today\, she considers Reiki her most beloved modality because of its transformative\, radiant power. Her mission is to help others discover peace and balance through energy work. Melissa’s mantra is\, “Let’s move energy together.”
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/accelerated-reiki-levels-i-ii-july/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Specialty,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T143000
DTSTAMP:20260513T212141
CREATED:20260415T162055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T162137Z
UID:20007215-1784984400-1784989800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Turning Teen: Body Basics for Boys
DESCRIPTION:Boys can grow so fast\, it can take your breath away. Or their growth can proceed more slowly\, confusing or even frustrating them. Talking to our boys about puberty is hard to do\, for both mothers and fathers. But supportive conversations are vital to them—even when they seem like they don’t want or need to talk. We can help. \nLearn about male anatomy\, puberty\, body changes\, emotions\, and more! Turning Teen offers interactive pediatrician-developed educational workshops that are fun\, modern\, and medically accurate! \nFor boys 10+ (who haven’t started puberty yet or are in the early stages) and their parent/trusted adult \nTurning Teen\, founded by Dr. Lisa Klein and Dr. Carrie Leff\, helps families talk openly about puberty\, bodies\, and sex. Our programs\, led by medical and mental health professionals\, provide accurate\, age-appropriate information to make these conversations more comfortable for kids and their caregivers.   \nDr. Jessica Reggi is Chicagoland’s Turning Teen board-certified pediatrician. She practiced clinical pediatrics throughout Chicago for about eight years before transitioning to nonprofit leadership. She is passionate about the intersection of health and education and has facilitated trainings about vaccines\, vaping\, and more for school districts\, community organizations\, and health champions across the country.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/turning-teen-body-basics-for-boys-july-25/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Classes,Specialty,Wellness,Youth
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