After nearly 100 years of focusing on helping those struggling with homelessness, addiction, abuse and incarceration, Wayside Cross Ministries is looking to invest big bucks in prevention by building a 12,445-square-foot youth center on four acres of land in Montgomery.
The property is owned by and next to St. Olaf Lutheran Church at 1322 Douglas Ave. where, for the past 14 years, Wayside Cross has held summer camps for its Urban Youth Ministry.
The idea of Wayside – which opened a 48,000-square-foot facility in Aurora for adult men in 2015 that is debt free – having its own youth center had been talked about for a few years. But it was not until Wayside Executive Director James Lukose was driving past “this beautiful piece of land” on his way to visit the camp last year that it suddenly hit him: They may not have to go far to make a dream come true.
The dream, of course, is not yet reality. The proposal for this project, which would cost between $3 million and $3.5 million, made it past Montgomery’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which in split votes recommended approval of the rezoning, special use and variances for the project to the Village Board. The project was presented Monday to village trustees, who asked plenty of questions Wayside seemed more than ready to answer.
Among them: The center, close to the Aurora border, would serve students ages 5-17 from both municipalities, with about 35 participating daily in after-school programs, and around 70 in summer camps; children in this Montgomery neighborhood go to school in East Aurora School District, which has the most students in the program; and traffic flow would be similar to what it is now, with kids being transported to the site by two Wayside passenger vans, which would also take them home at the 7 p.m. closing time.
This youth center would include four classrooms, a multi-purpose room, small kitchen and basketball court, with the idea of adding sports fields on the other few acres. There, students could get tutoring and help with homework, take classes in cooking and technology and participate in instructional sports and sports leagues like basketball, volleyball, baseball and soccer.
Not everyone is on board with this plan, however, with some neighbors voicing concerns about potential noise, vandalism and other negatives associated with groups of youth.
But here is where history comes in to play. Wayside Cross, a mission started in 1928 in Aurora to provide shelter, food and clothing to the homeless, addicted and impoverished, has only grown its programs and reputation in the past century. Over 9,000 men, women and children were served by Wayside alone last year. And in my dealings with this faith-based nonprofit over the years, I have seen, heard and written about countless transformations. Which is why I can confidently say Wayside goes about its good works in the community with integrity, class and passion.
Those three words certainly apply to Robin Sterkel, who has been the program manager at Urban Youth Ministry for 11 years, after taking over from her own daughter Emily Wood, who was program director when it moved from Brady Elementary School in Aurora to St. Olaf three years earlier.
Sterkel uses the word “holistic” when referring to the program’s philosophy.
“Most kids come into the program in second or third grade, and 60% stay with us for five years or more,” she told me. ”So we get to know the families,” which in turn “builds trust that leads to more opportunities for these kids” as Wayside connects them to other programs in the community.
This youth ministry, which runs a tight ship thanks to building security and a strong partnership with local police, collaborates with Fox Valley Park District, APS STEAM Academy, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Paramount Theatre, Dunham Foundation, Child Welfare Society, Juvenile Justice Foundation and many local churches and individuals to provide the program at no cost to families or taxpayers.
While most participants are considered at-risk, Sterkel took to heart the advice she once received from a Chicago-based youth director who told her that “to have a successful program, you must include your own kids.”
In addition to both her daughters having previously worked at Urban Youth Ministry, three of Sterkel’s six grandchildren take part in the after-school and camp programs. When your own most valuable assets are involved, “you look at it through a different lens,” she said. “I needed that boost to make it better.”
According to Sterkel, Urban Youth Ministry kids – 35 were served last year alone – have a high school graduation rate of 93%, with 65% going on to college or trade school. Some of those successes she shared in one of her presentations to the village, and included Diego, attending Lewis University and studying to be a pilot on a full scholarship for his hammer-throwing abilities learned through UYM; Osvaldo, a corporate lawyer in Chicago; Kanijah, a court reporter; Lisset, attending Aurora University to study dentistry; Damond, in retail management; and Jacquelyn, who is attending Aurora University with plans to be a doctor.
All the above are among the reasons the church has thrown its full weight behind this building project.
“The congregation was all good with it,” said Council President Dan Britton, noting that St. Olaf, founded more than 135 years ago by Norwegian immigrants, is like so many mainline churches these days that have aging congregations.
Its leaders are looking for ways to expand by reaching out to a changing community. Transformation is necessary, and Urban Youth Ministry they believe is doing what is needed to keep young folks from getting into trouble. It is giving them a place to go, a place to grow. It is providing activities that promote healthy choices. It’s bringing underserved kids together in a structured faith-based environment who learn, among other things, that adults believe in them.
Still, Sterkel understands why some residents are worried. And she’s ready to continue discussing those concerns, one-on-one, if need be.
Just as “we make it a point of listening to the children, we must listen to the neighbors” and to “hear in their heart what they are worried about,” she said.
“People just want to be heard. And when they are, it most likely results in a positive outcome.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
