Outreach Updates & Stories
Outreach Spring Newsletter – COVID-19 Edition
Individual articles from the Spring 2020 newsletter are each posted separately in our News section, but for your convenience, to view the newsletter in its entirety, please click here.
Outreach Launches Host Family Program
DuPage County continues to have a significant number of youths facing homelessness – with expectations of a startling increase over the coming months as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic. From day one, Outreach
Outreach In The Midst Of COVID – We’re In This Together
Our entire organization has re-engineered its operations in the midst of this crisis - superbly! We are serving in new ways wherever we can, within safety protocols. We continue to have "essential service" staff
Overcoming The Unemployment Gap: Jubilee Village/Hawthorne House
Every headline reports the devastating impact on our economy as a result of the pandemic. As of mid-May, the unemployment rate in the U.S. increased to over 14% and forecasts warn that this trend
The Kids Are Savvy
As students complete their 10th week of e-learning, our Youth Development teams continue to maintain close contact with our students and their families, providing supplemental tools for academic enrichment and encouraging creative and fun
Counseling Centers Now 100% Telehealth
In just four days, all Outreach Counseling Centers successfully transitioned to 100% telehealth, allowing OCM therapists to provide mental health treatment ‘virtually’ during this pandemic – which is crucial for the hundreds who rely
Our Families Are In Crisis
During times of hardship, OCM Case Managers are on the front line advocating for children and families in need. They assist with resolving various crisis situations including financial issues, loss of employment, potential loss
In The Driver’s Seat – Volunteer Spotlight: Dave Heslinga
Dependable transportation is often taken for granted. Without it, many face obstacles in retaining employment. Outreach relies on volunteers to ensure many of the young adults participating in the Employment Opportunity Center (EOC) have
Older Adults Program Update
The health of our seniors is our number one priority, so most Older Adult Programs (OAP) are on hold – BUT Outreach Community Center volunteers and staff have been getting creative over the last
2020 Outreach Community Center Virtual Spring Dinner
The Virtual Spring Dinner for the Outreach Community Center In Carol Stream is "LIVE"! Each year at this time we count on the Center’s “family of partners” to provide the financial foundation for
Girl Scouts Donate Books for Birthdays
As part of their Take Action Project, Girl Scout Troops 55627 and 50038 raised money through cookie sales in order to donate children's books to the Books for Birthdays program. "Our girls love to read
Another Successful MLK Day Celebration
About 150 people gathered for the 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Wheaton Christian Center. The event featured an inspirational tribute by the Wheaton College Gospel Choir, as well as
WYFS Fall Dinner
We hope you were inspired by hearing about the transformative impact of Warrenville Youth & Family Services in our community.
2019 Hearts of Grace Women’s Luncheon
This inspiring afternoon supports the Hearts of Grace mission, helping vulnerable women and children through gifts, prayer, and acts of service.
Therapy Dog Visits York Summer Program
York Community Resource Center welcomed Aimee Maas, Outreach Community Counseling Center (OCCC) animal assisted therapist, and her therapy dog, Paddington, to its summer youth program on July 8.
Learn 2 Earn Visits Adler Planetarium
The Learn 2 Earn middle school summer program recently took a field trip to Adler Planetarium in Chicago and enjoyed time seeing downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan.
WYFS Quest Joins Fire Department in Parade
The WYFS Quest youth program walked with the Warrenville Fire Protection District in Warrenville's annual Independence Day parade as part of the Hot Shots program, an ongoing partnership between the fire department and WYFS.
Learn 2 Earn Summer Program
The OCC Learn 2 Earn middle school summer program schedule includes service learning, team building, STEM, money management/job readiness, art, and special trips to the DuPage County Courthouse and Carol Stream Police Department.
Youth Group Visits Older Adults
Participants in OCC's Older Adults Program received a special treat this June! Middle school students from First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton visited older adults living at Colony Park for “Coffee and Conversation.”
Making Mother’s Day Special at Jubilee Village
A local woman who's walked the road of single motherhood decided to bless Jubilee Village mothers with gift baskets this Mother's Day.
OCC Pen Pals
Thanks to a pen pal exchange at Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream, young and old have been benefitting from a multigenerational friendship! The pairs met face-to-face this May.
Puente la Mama
Puente del Pueblo's 9th annual Mother’s Day event reached out to mothers in the community, attributing special value to moms who are heavy burdened and new to Puente.
CareFest 2019
Wheaton Bible Church and Iglesia del Pueblo recently served Outreach at CareFest, a one-day annual event where church volunteers reach out to the community through service projects.
2019 OCC Spring Dinner
The 2019 Spring Dinner benefitting the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream was held on April 11 at Embassy Suites Naperville. The event featured keynote speaker Ray McElroy, a former Chicago Bear and former Bears team chaplain.
WYFS Quest Helps Animal Shelters
Students from the Warrenville Youth & Family Services Quest program finished making homemade dog chew toys for donation to local animal shelters to wrap up this month’s service learning project.
Spring Break College Tour 2019
High school students from the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream and Puente del Pueblo recently embarked on their spring break college tour. This year the group visited Ohio State University, Marshall University, Wingate University, Duke University, and Howard University.
Spring Break Fun at Villagebrook
OCC-Villagebrook kicked off spring break with some friendly competition, community fellowship, and fun with a pasta sauce cookoff.
Leaving a Legacy: WYO Director Gail Hoffman Retires
As Gail Hoffman retires from Wheaton Youth Outreach, she reflects on her 21 years at the organization, the growth and change the programs have experienced, special memories, and her plans for the future.
Giving from the Heart
Longtime Outreach supporters Hal and Jennifer Merck share their heart for Kingdom giving, why they chose Outreach, and how they maximize their gifts.
Local Scout Serves Jubilee Village
Thank you to Vince Cascio, a young man working on his final badge towards becoming an Eagle Scout, for serving Jubilee Village! For his project, Vince chose to bless Jubilee Village with two benches for the outdoor patio.
Annual Outreach Events
2020 Outreach Community Center Virtual Spring Dinner
The Virtual Spring Dinner for the Outreach Community Center In Carol Stream is "LIVE"! Each year at this time we count on the Center’s “family of partners” to provide the financial foundation for
WYFS Fall Dinner
We hope you were inspired by hearing about the transformative impact of Warrenville Youth & Family Services in our community.
2019 Hearts of Grace Women’s Luncheon
This inspiring afternoon supports the Hearts of Grace mission, helping vulnerable women and children through gifts, prayer, and acts of service.
2018 Hearts of Grace Women’s Luncheon
Check out videos and photos from the 2018 Hearts of Grace Women's Luncheon, including the message from featured speaker Carol Kent.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2018
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Celebration featured an inspiring message from Moody Bible Institute Radio Host Roy Patterson, a performance by OCC's children's choir, update on OCC's College Opportunity Program and more.
Christmas Breakfasts
Christmas Breakfasts, held over a series of Saturdays in December, are open to Outreach's Partners and Leadership Partners. Hear ministry highlights and inspiring ministry plans from CEO Chris Ellerman.
Warrenville Youth & Family Services Fall Dinner
The annual Fall Dinner supports Warrenville Youth & Family Services.
Christmas Store
The Christmas Store is a special one-day event held each December. Qualifying families can affordably shop for Christmas gifts for their children - at a savings of 75% off retail price.