As you can tell from the previous pages, we have a passion for the people here in Cicero. We both have the opportunity to work at Youth Crossroads, a non-profit agency in our community. Specifically, Joel coordinates an after-school program as well as a youth leadership development program. Jackie works as a counselor, where she counsels court mandated youth and provides school based counseling at the local high school. She also responds to crisis situations involving youth at the police station.
Outside of work, a lot of what we do in our community happens out of our house. Our home has become a safe haven of sorts for teens to drop in when they are bored or need to get away from the chaos of home. Each Saturday night, we open our house to youth from the community to hang out, play basketball, eat pizza, and do a short Bible study. It is during these casual times when the kids seem to ask us the tough questions on topics including relationships, finances, family life, and God.
Each summer, we also run a youth softball league here in Cicero. This allows us to provide a safe, fun activity for teenage guys. Last summer we had about 100 guys participate per week in the league. It is a great way to build relationships with youth. In fact, most of the guys that come on Saturday nights first played in our league. This upcoming August, we’re planning on taking youth to camp at King’s Domain in Ohio. (You can read about last year’s camp experience in previous blogs.)
We provide this league at very little cost to them ($20 for the entire summer) and last year we charged about $30 per teen for the camping trip. If you would be interested in giving money to the ministry here in Cicero we would greatly appreciate it. All donations would go to fund the softball league, the camping trip, and the Saturday night Bible Study.
To give online please go to the New Life Centers website (click here). If you would feel more comfortable giving via check, checks can be made out to New Life Centers, please make sure to put Cicero Softball League in the memo line (checks can be mailed directly to New Life Centers, 4101 W 51st, Chicago, IL 60632).