One Hope United’s Joliet Early Learning Center
One Hope United’s (OHU) Joliet Early Learning Center will open in March, thanks to an Illinois state grant and $15 million in new markets tax credits.
This new center is one of 12 One Hope United early childhood education programs in the Chicago metropolitan area offering a safe, nurturing, learning environment for children. Each center utilizes a unique “learn by doing” approach that allows children to explore and understand the world around them. All One Hope United centers are staffed by early childhood professionals who are passionate about developing lifelong learners.
Wayside Cross Ministries – Homeless Center
The NMTC provided financing to Wayside Cross Ministries for construction of a four story transitional housing, rescue mission and administrative office facility to be located at 215 E. New York Street, Aurora, Illinois.
Wayside Cross is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its programs include: (i) the Master’s Touch Ministry which is a comprehensive 6-month residential, life transformation ministry for troubled men whose lives are out of control as a result of drugs, alcohol or some other destructive behavior pattern, (ii) the Lifespring Ministry which is a long term transitional living program for homeless women and women with children, who have lost their housing due to addiction, abuse or financial reasons, and (iii) the Urban Youth Ministry which is dedicated to empowering “at-risk” inner city youth, between the ages of 6 and 10, to reach their full God-given potential through focused educational, recreational, athletic, and other spiritual programs.
Arts center project to ‘help foster the arts in Aurora’
Work crews are beginning interior renovation this week of the former Waubonsee Community College building to remodel it into a downtown Aurora arts center.
The 80,000-square-foot building at Stolp Avenue and Galena Boulevard eventually will include a 25,000-square-foot school for performing arts, 8,000 square feet of rehearsal space for the Paramount Theatre, a 4,000-square-foot restaurant space, 38 apartments designed to support working artists and guest apartments for some Paramount Theater performers.
Supporting Hesed House’s Employment And Training Program
Hesed House is a 501c(3) under the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) program dedicated to alleviating the plight of poor and homeless persons. Its mission is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and give people a chance to hope again. Funds from the NMTC will allow 50 individuals to participate in the Hesed Employment And Training (HEAT) team, a job readiness and training program which provides trial jobs to homeless persons so they can master the “soft skills” needed in the workplace.
