New Hanover Park center looks to give kids a chance

Local leaders said they hope a new center will help reverse the reality that those most at-risk are often the most underserved.

The Hanover Park Community Resource Center, in Living Christ Lutheran Church at Greenbrook Boulevard and Arlington Drive, opened recently to a sizable reception.

Anyone can use the center, which has a computer lab and modest library. It's open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. All programs are free.

The volunteer-driven venture started with the DuPage County Area Project, or DuCAP. The nonprofit runs after-school programs at Springwood and Greenbrook elementary schools aimed at keeping a community strong and its youths out of trouble.

DuCAP identified Hanover Park as needing more social services, specifically for the Tanglewood neighborhood.

"Many low-income families live in Tanglewood. There's Section 8 housing and some violence," said DuCAP program coordinator Gayle Peneschi. "The hope is this could cut down on gangs or anything else going on. Kids should be able to play in their yards and not be afraid."

Last fall, Peneschi met with Mayor Rodney Craig, who pointed her to Jennie Swanson, pastor of the nearby Living Christ Lutheran Church.

Soon a committee of parents, teachers and other local citizens formed to help develop the project.

"This has been an underserved community in the Hanover Park area for a number of years," said Swanson. "There's a lack of transportation to park district programs and library services. We're trying to bridge that gap."

Refurbished computers, tech support, equipment and books were donated. The Salvation Army is sponsoring an English as a Second Language course, which now has 15 students. Keyboarding, guitar and Spanish lessons are on the horizon. DuCAP is seeking grants to obtain more funding.

Volunteers said they hope residents will someday be able to use the center during the week as well.

"We only expected people who could walk to the church would come," said Swanson. "But this is clearly serving the neighborhood and beyond. We expect it to be open for years to come."

Peneschi said she already sees change in the kids and adults taking advantage of the center, just as she's seen growth in the students taking part in DuCAP's after-school programs.

"They're constantly growing," she said. "We teach them about life skills, that there's always a consequence. Go down the right path and become whomever you want."