Geneva Church Brings Holiday Joy, Hope to Boys at Illinois Youth Center

Continuing an annual tradition that dates back 25 years, 16 church members hosted a party at IYC for 27 boys who don’t otherwise receive visitors during the year. They were joined by 12 members of Transitional Alternatives (TA), an Aurora-based agency providing counseling and assistance to inmates to enable their successful re-entry into society.

Party-goers enjoyed 26 dozen holiday cookies and soda brought by volunteers. Next, teams worked collaboratively on several activities, including “gingerbread skyscrapers” (pictured). Merriment, youth personalities and creativity were abundant during games. Singing traditional holiday songs with new lyrics (“All I want for Christmas is…to go home.”) produced a room full of applause.

TA’s Keith Knazze compassionately shared his first hand experiences and realizations, while warmly encouraging the youth to take advantage of TA resources to prevent a future stay at IYC or any other facility.

“These boys don’t have families who visit them, so this party is a very special day for them—a day that shows that someone still cares,” said church member Jean Pierce who has organized the party for nine years. Becky Hruby of UUSG adds, “If we can make a difference in the life of just one boy by showing them someone cares about them, it is worth it.”

About UUSG

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, established in 1842 and the oldest church in Geneva, is a diverse, welcoming community that endeavors to make its Covenant a living reality. We provide religious education and opportunities for spiritual growth. We encourage individual and mutual responsibility as together we work to be a liberal religious voice in the community and a force for compassionate social justice. For more information, visit www.uusg.org.

Photo Caption:
Teams of boys and volunteers from UUSG and Transitional Alternatives became acquainted while creating “gingerbread skyscrapers”. Pictured is a “beach house on stilts”.