Wellbeing/Mental HealthSkill BuildingResilience/Compassion

Dr. Julia Garcia

HYBRID EVENT - From Self Doubt to Self-Worth: Cultivating Confidence, Hope and Inner Strength

7pm CST

7:00 pm CST

When

Tue, Feb 24, 2026 @ 7pm CST

Where

HYBRID EVENT - On Zoom and in person at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, IL

Program Takeaways:

Hope is a skill, not a personality trait. Garcia framed hope as something we can practice in small or big ways, and that it can be strengthened over time.

Pressure is real—and naming it reduces its power. Participants identified where they feel the most pressure (school, work, family, health, fears/worries) and described how it shows up physically and emotionally.

Students often stay silent for three key reasons: they don’t want to be a burden, they don’t want to look weak, and they believe (incorrectly) that no one cares.

Self-worth is being outsourced to performance and validation. Garcia emphasized how likes, grades, achievements, and accolades are shaping young people’s sense of worth—and challenged adults to help redefine it.

The “Feeling Framework” gives adults and teens a roadmap for hard conversations. The core prompts—How am I feeling? Why am I staying silent? What do I need? What would support look like? What am I hopeful for?—create a repeatable way to check in and move forward.

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Click to download the PDF.

Adults (only) will have an opportunity to view “Hidden in Plain Sight,” an educational exhibit designed to raise awareness about adolescent drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. It features a mock teen’s bedroom with everyday items that may indicate risky behavior.

Garcia, the 2026 Live Life Week keynote speaker, will come to GPS with an evidence-based strategy to cultivate a mindset that supports hope, growth, and self-awareness in teens and adults alike.

The presentation will be preceded by a FREE Community Wellness Resource Fair. Please check out the flyer above for details and join us at 6:00 p.m. for free assessments, giveaways and raffle, and time with comfort dogs. Students can earn service hours.

We know happiness and gratitude can enhance wellbeing. Research now suggests that hope may be even more critical in fostering a sense of optimism and purpose. It can play a significant role in positive outcomes like improved mental and physical health, increased life satisfaction, and even academic success.

Participants will learn to challenge negative thinking, discover the tools to name and navigate their emotions, and find actionable steps that will reshape hope, not just as a feeling, but as a practice grounded in science and real-life experiences.

Garcia is a TEDx speaker and author of “The Five Habits of Hope” which blends science and story to help students, parents, and caregivers feel seen, heard, and empowered to get unstuck, rebuild their confidence, and own their story. She has led interactive experiences for hundreds of schools and organizations using spoken word and research-backed strategies to combat pressure, handle self-doubt, and find purpose.

Please share information about this event with friends and relatives. All are welcome to our free weekly GPS events, and no registration is required.

Live Life Well Week 2026: Your Story is Just Getting Started!

Throughout this special week, the Students for Students Club and the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club in conjunction with several other clubs and the Glenbard Physical Education Departments, have organized a series of engaging events in each of our schools to highlight healthy self-care practices and encourage participants to adopt a ‘Live Life Well’ lifestyle.

On February 23 and 24, Dr. Julia Garcia, psychologist and author of “Habits of Hope,” will conduct inspiring assemblies for all Glenbard District 87 students, empowering them to cultivate inner strength to be their best selves.

Garcia will also present to the community on Tuesday, February 24, at Glenbard West High School as part of the GPS Parent Series. Her presentation, “From Self-Doubt to Self-Worth: Cultivating Confidence, Hope and Inner Strength,” will begin at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome, and youth attendance is encouraged.

The program will be preceded by a free Health & Wellness Resource Fair with assessments, giveaways, and a visit with Comfort Dogs at 6:00 PM. Adults (only) will have an opportunity to view “Hidden in Plain Sight,” an educational exhibit designed to raise awareness about adolescent drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. It features a mock teen’s bedroom with everyday items that may indicate risky behavior.

Following Garcia’s remarks, the DuPage County Health Department and GPS will award honors to students, individuals and organizations that have demonstrated an exceptional ability to make a difference.