Wednesday Evening
After a short break in the afternoon, our group split into two teams. The first team traveled to the Englewood neighborhood in south Chicago, once known as one of the top five most violent neighborhoods in the United States, to a place called the Peace Community Center that works with kids to keep them out of gangs, drugs, and teach them about conflict resolution and having 
a purpose and plan in life. They are an afterschool program that also serves dinner each night to any kid or teen who drops in. Our students had a blast hanging with the kids and the leaders there. Ms. Dominick, the administrator of the center, bonded with our students and had them doing "exercises," otherwise known as the Electric Slide. Watching our students dance with the kids and leaders of the afterschool program. Then the team traveled to the Red Apple, a Polish buffet, to have a huge meal. Our students loved the food and kept returning for more-- particulary the 
potato pancakes.
a purpose and plan in life. They are an afterschool program that also serves dinner each night to any kid or teen who drops in. Our students had a blast hanging with the kids and the leaders there. Ms. Dominick, the administrator of the center, bonded with our students and had them doing "exercises," otherwise known as the Electric Slide. Watching our students dance with the kids and leaders of the afterschool program. Then the team traveled to the Red Apple, a Polish buffet, to have a huge meal. Our students loved the food and kept returning for more-- particulary the 
potato pancakes. The second team went to Cornerstone Community, where one of the teams had been the previous evening. Cornerstone is truly a unique organization in Chicago, not like other soup kitchens in other cities. I was really glad that both of our teams got to go there because it gives them a glimpse into the poverty and violence that is particular to Chicago, especially with the amount of segregation 
and gang violence that exists. Our students were able to see teens of 16 to 18 years old with their 3 and 4 year old kids and the lack of basic education and formation that allows families to function. After Cornerstone, this team went to a local Mexican restaurant to have burritos-- always a good meal!
and gang violence that exists. Our students were able to see teens of 16 to 18 years old with their 3 and 4 year old kids and the lack of basic education and formation that allows families to function. After Cornerstone, this team went to a local Mexican restaurant to have burritos-- always a good meal!
Thursday MorningWe returned to our final day at Casa Central. The students organized an Easter egg hunt for each of the classrooms as well as play many, many games with the kids. We also bought Casa Central some jump rope to play Double Dutch and an electric pencil sharpner for the classroom. The kids were highly excited about the double dutch tournaments. Our students are very disappointed that they have to leave today-- they've really enjoyed getting to know the kids and staff at Casa.
2 comments:
We are so glad our UPC youth got to see Cornerstone Community and some of the South Side of Chicago. These are now indelibly etched in their minds and will affect our students' characters. Thank you to our Youth for serving God in this way. Thank you to Justin and the other adults who went along.
It's great to see our youth involved in God's work. I'm praying for you all, that God will speak personally to each of you as you serve Him. We had an awesome service this evening at church that reminded me of His wonderful gift to us at Easter. Thanks for posting these pictures and sharing what you are all up to.
God Bless,
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