"Partnering within our diverse community to open doors of hope and love through our faith in Jesus Christ." - Western Avenue Community Center

Western Avenue Community Center is an organization that provides different programs to help the community. The programs Western Avenue Community Center has are: After School programs, Food Pantry program, Hispanic Outreach program, Interpretation Services program, LINC Basketball program, LINC Youth programs, OMW Summer Camp programs, and Senior programs.

Western Avenue Community Center

Western Avenue Community Center
600 N. Western Ave.
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309)829-4807

`WACC Business Hours`
`Day`	`Open`	`Closed`
`Monday`	`9:00 AM`	`5:00 PM`
`Tuesday`	`9:00 AM`	`5:00 PM`
`Wednesday`	`9:00 AM`	`5:00 PM`
`Thursday`	`9:00 AM`	`5:00 PM`
`Friday`	`9:00 AM`	`12:00 PM`
`Saturday`	`CLOSED`	`CLOSED`
`Sunday`	`CLOSED`	`CLOSED`

History (maria )

Western Avenue Community Center (WACC) was established on 1926. The programs at WACC are to impact the community and gather everyone from all ages. Most of the staff from WACC have been working for a long time there, and they know the basics of mostly anything. The staff uses that knowledge to help the community in any possible way. Western Avenue Community Center not only offers the programs they have, but they also help the people know where all the resources are. "I'ts all about helping the community." - Saul Pulido

Western Avenue Community Center used to be a church, years later the church caught on fire and WACC was built.

Before and After:

Western Avenue Community Center

After School Program (Tonianne)

Western Avenue Community Center's After School Program provides a pleasant, productive, family atmosphere for 35 low-income, unguarded children in grades K-5 who's parents work multiple jobs. The program is weekdays from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. They additionally provide positive social and emotional mentoring. Besides that the After School Program has two academic goals: 1) students are reading on grade level, and 2) students are promoted to the next grade level. The After School Program also offers precious children a quality, learning-oriented environment that includes:

Smiles and hugs from wonderful, caring adults who form sincere relationships with our children.
Healthy snacks
Reading time (a minimum of 20 minutes daily with trained volunteer).
Homework time (individual assistance provided by trained volunteers).
Enrichment activities (dance, theatre, art, music, science projects, visits from the Children's Discovery Museum and the Miller Park Zoo, etc.)
Free time/recreation (open gym, board games, computers, crafts).

Do you have a heart for children? Volunteer today and help support our After School Program.

After School Program Kids!

LINC Youth Programs (Tonianne)

During the mid 1960's, Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center (LINC) was first established by the Bloomington Housing Authority as a community center for the residents in the Sunnyside Housing Project. Many programs through various agencies have come and gone through the years. Then in 1986, Western Avenue Community Center was approached by community officials to take over programming for the center. LINC is a large recreation ceter that houses some of the best youth basketball coaching and competition in town. LINC also includes two small classrooms for tutoring and mentoring. They have so many programs and activities. Here's a list of a few programs and activities they have!

Activities include:

LINC Basketball - A Winter / Spring basketball program offers area youth in grades 2 through high school a chance for competitive play, while coaches and supervisors serve as role models and mentors. The importance of education and healthy lifestyles is emphasized, as well as educating the youth in the dangers of gang and drug activity. League play is offered January - May. Visit the Calendar for details.
Teen Club - Junior High and High School Youth meet on Tuesdays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, with positive staff and volunteers who provide a curriculum of positive choice and lifestyles along with dinner and recreational activities.
PETALS - Providing Education & Training to Achieve Lasting Success - In partnership with LINKS, Inc., youth 6^th - 10^th grade girls are invited to explore their own uniqueness and positive qualities through an open and creative curriculum once a month, on the second Thursday, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Western Avenue Community Center.
GIRLS Only - This group continues the curriculum begun at PETALS the other Thursdays of the month at Western Avenue Community Center from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Please call Jackie Dunson at (309)829-4807.
Martial Arts Club - This program develops strong, positive young men & women physically, mentally, and spiritually through an in-depth study of martial arts on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Please call Jeremy Butler at (309)829-4807 for questions.
Open Gym - Area youth are able to use the gym facilities to get in a little practice, join a "pick-up" game and socialize with friends in a safe a supervised environment. Visit the Calendar for details.
AAU Basketball - LINC offers a select group of High School boys a unique opportunity to develop to their highest level in basketball, through a local, regional and national network of sporting events in a summer league through the Amateur Athletic Union, coached by Dodie Dunson and other area experts.

Volunteers with a heart for teens and a lot of energy are welcome!

LINC Basketball Get Involved! After School Program Kid!

OMW Summer Camp Program (Maria)

OMV stands for "On My Way" This program was made with the purpose to help any children that cannot afford to go to a regular summer camp, or summer classes. WACC wants to help those kids, so instead of just staying home, they can go do different activities. OMW Summer Camp program encourages children from Junior High the most to enter into the program. That way, WACC can help Junior High children to make good decions when they go to High School. The On My Way Summer Camp is a six week summer day camp experience that serves 25 low-income, at risk students entering grades 7 - 9. The OMW offers five different kinds of activities for the children.

Activities:

Academic Review - Reading and discussion of books, math exercises.

Leadership Development - Campers learn the meaning of why becoming a leader in different challeging activities.

Character Development - Talk about trust, respect, responsibility, caring, being fair, and citizenship.

Music Lessons - Play with a bass drum and twenty snare drums.

Art Classes - Campers will have classes for painting, ceramics and other more activities.

You can also volenteer on OMW Summer Camp, but have to fill out some paperwork. For more information call Dodie Dunson at (309)750-4500.

http://westernavenuecc.org/documents/community_volunteer_app.pdf

http://westernavenuecc.org/documents/volunteer_contract.pdf

http://westernavenuecc.org/documents/auth_for_background_check.pdf

http://westernavenuecc.org/documents/intern_mandated_reporter.pdf

On My Way Summer Academy!

Food Pantry Program (Tonianne)

The Western Avenue Community Center Food Pantry has faithfully progressed over the years. They got canned goods from employees and small donations. Then were handed out casually as a need arose. Today, the Food Pantry occupies a large area in the gym, as it serves over 300 families each month. Along with monthly food distribution, participants receive encouragement, a kind word and a smile. Quite often, their Food Pantry Coordinator may even share a word of prayer upon request. They generous donations from Midwest Food Bank, Peoria Area Food Bank, Second Presbyterian Church, United Way of McLean County, local churches, organizations, business and numerous community food drives, the WACC Food Pantry continues to function as a spiritual outreach for those who hunger for food and hope.

Food Pantry!

Hours of Operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 - 3:00 PM

Participants may come once a month. For proof of head of household, one of the following must be presented:

Utility bill
Rent receipt
Rental contract

At each visit, they must bring a picture ID and a reusable grocery bag (available at most grocery stores for $1).

Volunteers with a heart to "give back" are always welcome.

Food Pantry - Support Donation / Sponsorship

Please help them keep their Food Pantry shelves stocked for the families in need by making a Food Pantry - Support Donation or by making a One Week of Canned Goods for One Family - Sponsorship.

Senior Citizen Programs (Tonianne)

Western Avenue Community Center Senior Citizens programs began with neighborhood folks who were in need of a place to occasionally gather to keep active, learn new skills, play games and make new friends. Programming for Senior Citizens has been an on-going part of the spectrum.

Seniors Programs!

Activities include:

Stretch and Tone classes Cost: Free - Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10:15 - 11:15 AM. Low-impact aerobic workout targets all major muscle groups by using Dyna-bands and light hand weights. Monthly BINGO Potluck 2nd Tuesday of the month - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Enjoy a game or two of BINGO, fellowship and lunch. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass.

Dinner Dances - $3.00 per person
Four dinner-dances are held each year with local entertainment provided by The Dynamics along with other groups. Western Avenue employees, retirees and their families and volunteers often join the celebrations helping seniors feel part of a family of friends.
- Valentine's Day Dance - February
- Spring Fling Dinner/Dance - May
- Fall Fest Dinner/Dance - October
- Christmas Dinner and Entertainment - December
Reservations are required.

Interpretation Services program (Maria)

Bloomington-Normal is a diverse community just like any other, and Western Avenue Community Center helps on eliminating those language barriers by providing this program. Saul Pulido has been working in Western Avenue Community Center as the Interpretation Director since 2002, and he has been a witness of all the help the program does to those that don't know English very well. The Interpretation Services program doesn't aonly benefit those that life here in Bloomington-Normal, but the program also reaches out to Springfield, Juliet, Galesburg, and Danville. French and Spanish are the two types of interpreters WACC offers at the moment. The Interpretation Service can be given for any kind of need that involves a language barrier.

You can get an interpretor for many reasons:

visit to doctor
court date
school related
conferences
immigration related
and more...

"We go from A through Z" - Saul Pulido

Saul gone through many experiences where the language is not the only barrier to help the client. He has many examples to why being an interpreter is doing more than just interpretation.

Example:.

A mom (that would be her name do to their privacy act) once went to Western Avenue Community Center seeking an interpreter to help her find out what happened to a money order she sent, but was never received. She sent an money order of $75 dollars to buy some books to her child. The employee from the money order agency told her that the money order was lost, and it would cost $35 dollars to track the money order. Mom had no clue that she had to pay in order track her money order. The money order was tracked and the agency took $35 dollars out of her money order, which was deducted from the $75 dollar money order. After they hanged up the phone, Saul talked to the lady and told her it would be safer for mom to get a bank account. Mom did not had a bank account, and was unsure of what to do to get one. Saul offer himself to go with her and help her out filled any paper work.

Hispanic Outreach program (Maria)

The Hispanic Outreach program is to help out the Latino community in translation, social services, interpretation, counseling, and assimilation to a new culture. To call for an appointment call: (309) 827-3794

Hispanic Outreach

Socorro Alvarez is the Hispanic Outreach Director.

Gives classes English classes as a second language
Provides guidance and emotional help
Advocates for the Hispanic community
Assists with cultural education
Form completion
Document preparation
Organizes services with agencies or government services

Liz Acevedo-Alstrum focuses on giving counseling to either a child, family or just couples. She also focuses on;

anger management
grieve of loss
conflict resolution
parenting education
domestic violence

Ninos y musica (kids and music) :

Ninos y musica is a music program between the child, parent and teacher to enroll the child in a cognitive, physical, language, social, and emotional development.

Volunteering:

If you would like to volunteer to the Hispanic Outreach program, you must speak fluent Spanish and know very well the Hispanic culture. Call Socorro for more information on becoming a volunteer.

Donations:

Western Avenue Community Center is an non-profit orgazation, however donations are always welcome. Any kind of donation is welcome, from cash to supplies. Call the WACC office at (309)829-4807 if you want to donate anything.