A media center, movie theater, barber shop and more are part of the Legacy Center, designed to give area youths positive building blocks for their future as a natural extension of the Legacy Reentry Foundation created to help the previously incarcerated.
George Moore, who founded both with his wife, ReGina, said the Legacy Center for young people 13 and above is built around pre-entry, giving them the skills to make decisions leading to productive lives which never involve the justice system.
“We’re trying to stop the problem before it starts,” George Moore said. “Pre-entry is designed to give them what they need to make the right choices before they get into a bad situation.”
The Legacy Center held its grand opening Saturday in Waukegan, unwrapping a three-story facility offering activities, services and recreation for youths 13 and older designed to put them on a positive path to adulthood.
After spending 2½ years in prison at age 19 approximately 30 years ago, Moore said he made it his mission to help people reestablish their lives once their sentences were served. As he started working with the previously incarcerated, he knew he was making a difference.
With the foundation well-established — it started 20 years ago — Moore said Saturday he and his wife decided more was needed. Operating out of two older homes in downtown Waukegan, they thought a center was now needed for local youths.
“ReGina said if we’re going to keep Legacy, we have to pass it down,” he said.
Finding a one-time two-story real estate office on North Green Bay Road in Waukegan with a basement available to make a third usable floor, Moore said the process began. He and his team began a gut renovation to repurpose it into a building for pre-entry.
During the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, more than 100 people got a tour of the facility. They heard what was starting from the Moores, Legacy staff and community leaders.
Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones, who also oversees the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, said the new Legacy Center will fill a crucial need in the community. The coalition also strives to help the previously incarcerated live productive lives.
“This will keep people engaged in positive activities,” Jones said after the ceremony. “It will help them make good decisions. This will help them to make choices so they never enter the justice system in the first place.”
State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, said the center provides a variety of productive activities, as well as a place where youths can relax and gather their thoughts if necessary.
“It will keep them focused on making productive decisions,” she said. “They will feel welcome, develop good values and be successful.”
State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Gurnee, said the new center offers something different for young people which was not present before. There are both activities to keep them engaged and, when necessary, services to help them cope.
“This sets a new tone for Waukegan, where the youth can walk in and feel welcome,” she said.
Walking into the building, visitors will see rooms set aside for tutoring and therapy in a setting with living room-style furniture. Whether doing school work or collecting their thoughts, there is space.
“It gives them a place to decompress,” George Moore said.
A unique feature is the barbershop. He said licensed barbers will offer the youths there free haircuts, but there is also a cultural aspect.
“It’s what we grew up with,” Moore said. “Our mothers took us to the barbershop. It will make people feel comfortable.”
Another feature is a large media room and studio. People can make videos with up-to-date equipment. Moore said part of it is done in conjunction with Workforce Development of Lake County.
In the lower level, there is an open room with seating and a large television screen.
“It’s for movie night,” Moore said.
Just off a larger room where people can gather is a fully equipped kitchen. Moore said there is someone affiliated with the organization who is a chef, assuring healthy food choices for the youths who frequent the Legacy Center.
