Dear Friends,
One year after the loss of our daughter, Rebecca, to suicide – the Rebecca Lynn Cutler Legacy of Life Foundation (Rebecca’s Dream) was established by her family and Susan and Dr. Harlan Haimes (in memoriam).
Our desire and motivation was to fulfill Rebecca’s dream to educate children, teens, young adults, families, mental health and public health leaders that mental illness was, and too often remains, misunderstood.
Rebecca was passionate about promoting compassionate understanding and awareness of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases ~ still our mission and vision fifteen years later.
She would be proud to know how effective and strong Rebecca’s Dream has become while advancing the way mental health issues are better understood and discussed with new respect and compassion.
Thanks to a growing circle of supporters Rebecca’s Dream is CHANGING THE FACE OF DEPRESSION by changing behaviors and attitudes of individuals, families, communities and society at large.
Your partnership and generosity have allowed Rebecca’s Dream to fight the good fight for this vitally important mission. We ask you to continue partnering with us as we begin the next fifteen years.
Help us prevent other families from experiencing the profound loss we have endured.
Our gratitude is heartfelt and deeply appreciated.
Wishing you and your loved ones all of life’s blessings in the New Year and beyond.
Warmly,
Gail and Norm
Co-Founders
Rebecca’s Dream
Upcoming Events
Celebrating 21 years!
Get Tickets Today! (click here)
Join us in celebrating 21 years of Rebecca’s Dream—championing mental health, fighting stigma, and raising awareness for prevention and early intervention.
Tickets are now available:
Dreamer – $150
Dream Friend – $175
Each Dream Friend ticket includes 2 Cash Raffle tickets.
Next Generation Dreamer – $100
Are you age 30 or younger? Rebecca’s Dream invites you to attend at a reduced rate.
Dream Group – $1,350
Bring a group of 10. Company or group recognition.
$500 Cash Raffle – $25/ticket or 5 tickets for $100
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Click to become a sponsor
In the Comments section, please enter “Sponsorship.” A Rebecca’s Dream team member will follow up to gather any additional information needed, including your name or company logo for sponsor recognition.
We invite you to partner with us as a sponsor for this year’s Rebecca’s Dream Benefit. Your sponsorship directly supports our mission to promote mental health awareness and education while honoring Rebecca’s legacy.
Each level of sponsorship offers meaningful opportunities for recognition, community engagement, and visibility both at the event and across our communication channels. From naming rights to social media promotion and on-site branding, there’s a level to match your desired impact.
Explore the sponsorship levels below and join us in making a difference.
Platinum Sponsor – $10,000
Top-tier sponsorship with naming rights, logo placement across all event materials, prominent online and media recognition, a special stage mention, and 10 event tickets.
Silver Sponsor – $7,500
High-level visibility with logo on banner, registration table, invitation, and online platforms; recognition in media and at the event; includes 8 event tickets.
Bronze Sponsor – $5,000
Strong presence with your logo on key signage, the benefit invitation, the website, and social media; featured in press and the e-newsletter; includes 6 event tickets.
Partner Sponsor – $2,500
Valuable support level with logo on signage, online recognition, and social media mentions; includes 4 event tickets.
Barrel Sponsor – $1,000 
Company name and logo featured on a wine barrel at the venue; includes 2 event tickets and online recognition.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact Kathleen Illes at killes@rebeccasdream.org or 773-423-7326 to learn more.
“Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t so.”
-Lemony Snicket
The Blank Book
Rebecca’s Dream Educates the Community
Talkbacks
Pictured: Nikki Lynette with cast, director, producer, crew and Rebecca’s Dream representatives
Get Out Alive featuring Nikki Lynette at Steppenwolf Theater
To read about the show visit: https://www.chicagostagestandard.com/home/2020/2/5/nikki-lynettes-get-out-alive-steppenwolf-theatre
Education Projects/Partnerships
MLK Day of Service
The Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood partnered with Rebecca’s Dream at MLK Service Days. Hundreds of students and parents created book marks with inspirational sayings for Evanston’s Haven Middle School students. The book marks will accompany RD’s “It’s All In Your Head” book on mental illness. Mental Illness #itsreal.
Service Project Day
Rebecca’s Dream partnered with Congregation B’nai Tikvah educating tweens and parents to recognize mental health coping strategies by creating book marks with calming techniques and activities.
“IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD”
‘’IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD” contains information about: ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, stigma, symptoms and ways to cope.
Author and illustrator Marlee F. Is a teen living successfully with depression. As Marlee struggled to understand her thoughts, feelings and moods she created “IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.” Marlee’s passion became helping teens easily understand they are not alone during difficult mental health challenges ~ help she wishes she had during her early years of confusion and shame.
Mental disorders don’t discriminate.
One in five teens are affected by some form of disorder severe enough to impact their daily lives.
However, with professional help and self-care most teens feel better within 4-6 weeks.
Tips & Tools
When you have depression, you can find ways to take control of your life and manage your treatment even beyond medications. Making some lifestyle changes can boost your mood and help alleviate many of your symptoms, including low self-esteem. “Minimizing stress as much as possible is a good idea when you’re depressed, especially unnecessary or avoidable stressors that people can be pulled into when they’re depressed,” says Erik Nelson, MD, a psychiatrist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio.
Try these strategies to manage the symptoms of depression, promote positive thinking, alleviate stress, and boost your self-esteem.
Source: Everyday Health
Featured Book
