Groundbreaking Ceremony for Wayside Cross Ministries Youth Center

In 1969, Gary Sipes was a young boy who joined a procession led by members of St. Olaf Church in Aurora, Illinois. They were heading from their Benton Street location to the site of a new church on Douglas Avenue in Montgomery, which was surrounded by cornfields at the time. Recently, Sipes returned to this location for another groundbreaking event. This time, it was for a new Youth Center by Wayside Cross Ministries, spanning four acres purchased from St. Olaf Church. Sipes, now a neighbor to the new development, had witnessed challenges in getting community approval for the project.

Sipes understood the reluctance of residents to embrace change, but he emphasized the importance of the Youth Center’s mission to help children. During the event, about 125 supporters attended the ceremony. They shared Sipes’s sentiments, including Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley. Brolley was initially cautious due to neighborhood concerns but was impressed after touring Wayside Cross’s main campus in downtown Aurora, recognizing the breadth of their work.

“Fortunately and unfortunately, there is a tremendous need,” Brolley remarked, acknowledging that the location was ideal, situated between the church, Fox Valley Park District fields, and Krug Elementary School.

He expressed his excitement to be involved in the project. The event also saw the presence of over 120 attendees.

Vicki Morkos, President and CEO of the Dunham Foundation, spoke about her organization’s longstanding relationship with Wayside Cross. Her foundation was inspired by Thomas Dunham, a founding board member, and John C. Dunham, who established the Dunham Foundation with a mission to improve living conditions and prosperity globally. This aligns well with the goals of Wayside Cross Ministries, including its downtown Aurora adult facilities and its Lifespring Center for women and children.

Morkos lauded the foundation’s trust in Wayside’s initiatives, emphasizing their eagerness to support the new Youth Center project. She stated, “We saw it as an opportunity to support another high-quality initiative, a place where children can learn, play and grow in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Wayside Cross had conducted its after-school and summer programs at St. Olaf for over 15 years, utilizing existing facilities for children aged 5 to 17 from Aurora and Montgomery. The dream of having a dedicated building took shape when Executive Director James Lukose identified the potential of a large open parcel next to the church.

Now, the plan is coming to fruition with a 10,000-square-foot center scheduled for completion next summer. The facility, constructed by Sequoia General Contracting, will feature classrooms, a multi-purpose room, gymnasium, and kitchen, with potential sports fields in future plans. The center’s offerings will include educational programs, youth leadership development, and recreational activities.

Pastor Dan Haas of St. Olaf noted that the center aligns with the church’s mission and spirit, founded by Norwegian immigrants seeking religious freedom in the early 1900s. These immigrants aspired to use their talents and abilities for the glory of God. Sequoia President David Blasi urged attendees, “Today we start to make the vision a reality. Let’s pick up our hard hats and shovels and get to work.”