Community and History Unite for New Youth Center Groundbreaking
In the summer of 1969, Gary Sipes was a young boy, about 11 or 12, when he joined a procession in his neighborhood on Aurora’s East Side. It was a leisurely summer day, and with no other plans, he decided to follow the members of St. Olaf Church. They walked from their building on Benton Street in Aurora to the groundbreaking of their new church on Douglas Avenue in Montgomery, a site then surrounded by cornfields.
Recently, Sipes revisited this location, this time for the groundbreaking of a new Youth Center by Wayside Cross Ministries. This center will be constructed on four acres purchased from the church. Now a local resident, Sipes noted that gaining acceptance from nearby residents was the biggest hurdle the nonprofit faced when presenting this project to Montgomery last year.
Sipes acknowledged the resistance to change but emphasized the center’s purpose. “If we do what we are supposed to do,” he stated, “we are here to help these kids.” These sentiments were echoed by approximately 125 supporters attending the recent groundbreaking ceremony.
Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley addressed the crowd, having considered neighborhood concerns. After visiting Wayside Cross’s main campus in downtown Aurora, he supported the project, recognizing the significant need beyond municipal lines. The location, between a church, Fox Valley Park District fields, and Krug Elementary School, he said, was ideal.
“I am very excited,” Brolley expressed, “to be just a little part of this.”
Among those gathered was Vicki Morkos, president and CEO of the Dunham Foundation. She highlighted the foundation’s long-standing relationship with Wayside Cross. Founding board member Thomas Dunham’s legacy continued through his son, John C. Dunham, who established the Dunham Foundation. Their mission, “to make the world a more comfortable, safer place,” aligns perfectly with Wayside’s goals. The foundation has been a steadfast supporter of Wayside’s programs in Aurora, including its Lifespring Center for women and children.
Morkos remarked that the foundation eagerly supported the new project. “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.”
For around 15 years, Wayside Cross used St. Olaf as a base for its after-school and summer programs for children from Aurora and Montgomery. While the concept of having its own dedicated building was longstanding, the dream took shape when Wayside Executive Director James Lukose noticed an available parcel of land beside the church.
The new Youth Center, approximately 10,000 square feet, will be completed next summer by Sequoia General Contracting. It will feature classrooms, a multi-purpose room, gymnasium, and kitchen, with plans to add sports fields in the future. The center will offer tutoring, educational opportunities, youth leadership, and recreational activities.
St. Olaf interim Pastor Dan Haas commented that these efforts align with the church’s mission, founded by Norwegian immigrants seeking religious freedom in the early 1900s. They aimed to “use their talents and abilities for the glory of God.”
Sequoia President David Blasi inspired the audience, urging, “Today we start to make the vision a reality. Let’s pick up our hard hats and shovels and get to work.”