Celebrating 30 years!
It all started with a compliment. A store employee noted that Gilda’s daughter looked so much like her. The disgust on her daughter’s face left Gilda thinking that she simply couldn’t be the only parent baffled, curious and struggling at times to understand her teenager. From that encounter, the idea for GPS Parent Series was born. For three decades we’ve provided unparalleled content, tips and solutions for today’s parents and caregivers. Always free, thanks to our generous sponsors and promotional partners, GPS is the nation’s premier parenting education and family support network. We bring the world to you each week with a line-up of renowned speakers. Many full programs can be found on our YouTube channel along with clips and Q&A sessions.
Completely Free
There is never a cost to attend. GPS Parent Series is funded by generous sponsors who feel strongly about empowering today’s caregivers to build a better tomorrow.
No Registration
Don’t worry! No registration is required. Come one, come all… come every week!
For Everyone
We have programming for every age and stage. If you’re a parent, professional, neighbor, grandparent or anyone who knows a child from infancy to age 25, this is the place to be.
Our Programs
The early years are a pivotal time, and kids don’t come with one-size-fits-all instructions. GPS is here to give you all the support you need. From tantrums to triumphs and behaviors to building skills, our experts will share their unique and thoughtful approaches to raising tiny humans. You’ll leave each event inspired and equipped with tools to help you every step of the way.
Kids are the future! But raising them can be complicated, and growing up immersed in technology takes things to another level. GPS provides cutting edge research-based tools so you can teach your kids the skills they need to thrive today and make their mark as they move confidently into the t(w)een years.
Teens are awesome! There’s only one other time in life that the brain undergoes such dramatic changes: early childhood. Adolescence can be fraught with hormones, heightened emotions and peer conflict, but it’s also an amazing time to connect, partner and learn with your teen. Having a steady, loving and supportive adult in their life is one of the best protective factors for all kids. GPS offers guidance on everything from relationships to college admissions and mental health to career planning for typical and neurodivergent children. Our programs will help you show up in a powerful way in the lives of your 14-25 year olds.
GPS is here to serve you! Our multicultural programming offers expert guidance and practical takeaways for all ages. B-PAC programs are presented in Spanish, Urdu, Gujarati and Hindi.
FUSE programming is tailored for those that identify as African American, Black or biracial. GPS offers several programs each year to support families in all stages of development.
Our Sponsors
Emmy Gaffey Foundation
Emmy’s passion for style and design led her to create LaLaEmmyLand. Before she left for heaven, she opened the website, designed the bracelets and made the rhinestone, #bling, marketing tags for each bracelet. Through her dream, we will continue to make the world a better place. She always talked about donating a portion to charities, so in Emmy’s honor, using her designs and ideas, 100% of all donations will go to organizations to help young adults. Oh… and also animals, her number one charity!! Using Emily Anne as our angel in heaven, we hope to make a difference and save lives.
Cebrin Goodman Center, an affiliate of the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundation
Cebrin Goodman was a bright, caring, talented young woman who had so much to live for and offer the world. Surrounded by a loving family and many friends, and possessing a wide range of interests (including a gift for dance and other creative arts), Cebrin seemed destined for a rich and fulfilling a life. Instead, tragically, her life ended at the age of 22, devastating those who loved her. Even today —almost 20 years after her loss— the pain and sadness are fresh. For reasons difficult to fully understand, Cebrin entered the world of drugs and eventually ended up with a full-blown addiction. Many unsuccessful attempts at therapy and rehab-hospitalizations were made to assist her in overcoming her addiction. Sadly, the hold drugs had over her was too great, and they took her down a path which led to a fatal overdose. Through the ongoing philanthropic efforts of the Cebrin Goodman Center, the Goodman family is fully devoted, in Cebrin’s memory, to spare as many families as possible the pain which they have endured over the loss of their beloved Cebrin. As her grandfather, Mr. Larry Goodman, often said: “Let us work together so that not one additional child will suffer the same tragic end as my beloved granddaughter Cebrin.”
PLT: Prevention Leadership Team, a division of the DuPage County Health Department
The PLT is a countywide community coalition working together to prevent substance use and increase mental health wellness among DuPage County Youth. Working in conjunction with the DuPage County Health Department, the PLT is well positioned to achieve significant, long-term reductions in alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use by youth as well as implement strategies aimed at increasing mental wellness throughout DuPage County.
The Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE)
The Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) is a joint agreement between Marquardt School District 15, Queen Bee School District 16, Glen Ellyn School District 41, Lombard Elementary School District 44, Glenbard Township High School District 87, Community Consolidated School District 89 and Community Consolidated School District 93 in DuPage County. Formed in 1960, the cooperative serves students in 44 local school buildings with a range of services for students with special needs between the ages of 3 and 22 years.
School Partners
Marquardt School District 15
Lyons Township HS District 204*
Queen Bee School District 16
Glen Ellyn School District 41
Lombard School District 44
CCSD 89
CCSD 93
CCSD 180
CCSD 181
CUSD 201
Elmhurst CUSD 205
Community HS District 99
Lake Park High School District 108
Barrington Comm Unit SD 220
High School District 214
Naperville Community Unit SD 203
West Chicago Com. HS District 94
DuPage High School District 88
Lisle CUSD 202
School District 45
Libertyville High School D128
Valley View CUSD 365U
Bensenville School District 2
Indian Prairie SD 204
Cass School District 63
Roselle School District 12
Geneva CUSD 304
Nazareth Academy
Batavia Public School District 101
LaGrange School District 102
Keeneyville School District 20
Benjamin School District 25
Downers Grove SD 58
West Chicago Elementary D33
West Aurora School District 129
Butler School District 53
Fenton Community High School
Bloomingdale SD 13
WW Community Unit District 200
WW Early Childhood Collab.
Leyden High School District 212
St. Charles CUSD 303
Salt Creek School District 48
Medinah School District 11
Center Cass School District 66
Winfield School District 34
Woodridge School District 68
Maercker School District 60
Zion-Benton Township HS D126
Niles Township High School 219
Hinsdale Twp HS District 86
Glenbard Twp High School D87
Technology Center of DuPage
Notre Dame College Prep
Glenbrook High Schools 225
East Moline School District 37
Plainfield School District 202
Richmond-Burton District 157
* Denotes financial contribution
Community Partners
Northwestern Medicine*
Kiwanis*
Stand Strong Coalition*
Link Together Coalition*
Deerfield Parent Network*
Ascension IL Behavioral Health*
The Branch Moms Community*
Addison Public Library
Bloomingdale Public Library
Carol Stream Public Library
Elmhurst Public Library
Glenside Public Library
Glen Ellyn Public Library
Helen Plum Public Library
Hinsdale Public Library
Wheaton Public Library
Woodridge Public Library
Municipalities of Carol Stream,
Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn
Lombard and Wheaton
708 Boards (Milton & Lisle Twp)
360 Youth Services
Anderson’s Bookshop
B. R. Ryall YMCA
Candor Health Education
Community Speaker Series
Community – The Anti-Drug
Compass Health Center
COSEM
Elmhurst Youth Commission
Elyssa’s Mission
Erika’s Lighthouse
FAN / Family Action Network
Glenbard Booster Clubs
Glendale Heights Youth Commission
Glen Ellyn Chamber
Glen Ellyn Moms
Glen Ellyn Youth & Fam Counseling
Growing Resiliency in Teens 2
ICNA Relief
Interfaith Mental Health Coalition
IL Human Performance Project
Illinois CASA
Illinois PTA
ISAC / IL Student Asst.
Commission
ISCA / IL School Counselors
Association
Kane County Health Dept.
Career Vision
LEAD
Marvelous Minds
Mindblue.com
NAMI DuPage
NEDFYS
One Community
Serenity House
Teen Parent Connection
The Bookstore Glen Ellyn
Tri-Town YMCA
WeGo Together for Kids
West Nation
YPRC at Prevention First
YWCA Met Chicago
* Denotes financial contribution or gifts in kind
Partner With Us
Promotional Partners are schools, organizations and businesses that support GPS and help us get the word out. They are shown before Zoom events and highlighted on our sponsor page. Consider becoming a partner with us. Contact Gilda Ross to see how you can help GPS reach all families everywhere.
Become a sponsor! Sponsors are agencies, organizations and people who sponsor a program or donate to GPS to help us cover the cost of speakers. You can donate to or sponsor a specific program, or give to our annual fund. Yearly sponsors are on the cover of our brochure, shown before each Zoom event and prominently displayed on our home page and sponsor page. Thanks to these generous organizations and individuals, GPS remains a free resource.
We can’t do it without you! When you give to GPS, no matter the amount, all of your dollars go to helping us equip parents and create families that flourish. Become a part of the growing list of individual donors we work with to inspire parents and empower youth. Because GPS Parent Series is a 501c3 organization, your gifts are tax deductible. Contact Gilda Ross to make your donation today.
Our Team
Our team is small but mighty! Gilda Ross (middle) is the founder, mastermind and director of programs for GPS. Jerica Slade (left) handles all things creative and technical. Carrie Gowans (right) provides volunteer support. Beverly Porzelt (not pictured) creates communication and reminders, and Hailey Knoll (not pictured) is our intern extraordinaire. Contact us if you’d like to be involved in our mission of creating thriving families.
We couldn’t do what we do without our sponsors, promotional partners and community members. Special thanks to Glenbard High School District 87, Superintendent David Larson and all administration, staff and students for their continued support.
FAQ's
The GPS Parent Series is a 501c3 organization that brings you world renowned authors & speakers who present free research-based information on current topics to support positive youth development. Our programs strengthen family connections and help children of every age thrive. GPS is open to all, and CEU credits are available for school staff.
GPS Parent Series is a FREE resource for families, schools, students, organizations and the community at large. All our welcome to our weekly events!
GPS is proud to offer multicultural programming. We have events in Spanish, Gujarati and Urdu/Hindi each year. From the Upcoming Events page, choose the filter ‘Search by Topic’ and choose B-PAC: Multicultural to view all the programs offered in languages other than English.
There’s no registration! We make it easy for you join our virtual presentations from the comfort of your office or home. Almost all of our programs are offered at noon and 7 p.m. Central Time. Consider hosting a viewing party!
Many of our speakers give us permission to share their full programs on our YouTube channel. We also have a treasure trove of Q&A sessions available for free viewing.
Share this resource! Tell family and friends. Encourage your schools and community organizations to promote GPS.
Do you have time, money or talent that you’d like to donate? We are always seeking to improve, and we welcome your ideas! Please contact Gilda Ross to discuss ways you can support our mission.
The majority of our programs are offered virtually at noon and 7 pm Central Time so we can reach as many families as possible. However, we host several hybrid events offered in person and online.
Note: Some of the B-PAC multicultural programming is presented in-person only.
Please contact us with any other questions you have. We’d love to connect, and if you’re wondering about it, others probably are too. We’ll update this list as questions come in. Thank you!
