Our Mission

ForeverU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is empowering youth on their mental health journey through personal development programs and experiences.

We were founded in 2012 by Ryan Hesslau, who at the time was only 16 years old, after researching the stories of students his age who had died by suicide. Their stories became his motivation for developing programs that would ensure that youth who were struggling had the resilience to keep living. Today, Ryan continues to lead ForeverU as the President and Executive Director.

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Get in touch with Ryan: ryan@joinforeveru.org

Sign up for ForeverU's email list to stay updated on new programs, latest news, and plenty more.

Board of Directors

Ryan Hesslau

Founder & Executive Director of ForeverU, Founder & CEO of Above the Waves Inc. 

Amber Schnepp

School Psychologist at Bradley Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School.

Christian Perry

Director of Community Affairs & Engagement for Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller 6th District

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Kendra Zantingh

Internship Specialist & Professor of Human Resources at Trinity Christian College.

Erik Maranto

Development Manger at American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago

Claudia Hesslau

Event Coordinator and Committee Member at ForeverU.

Dr. Shaniqua Jones

Dean of Students at Chicago Collegiate Charter School, Author, Speaker, Restorative Justice Practitioner.

Richard Hesslau

Senior Project Designer at Sargent & Lundy LLC - Nuclear Division.